Keating returns from injury

by NRL

The Bulldogs return home to ANZ Stadium for a Sunday afternoon blockbuster versus fellow top eight contenders the Brisbane Broncos.

Kris Keating will reclaim his position in the starting line up with Joel Romelo retaining his spot in the team but shifting to the bench after two stellar performances.

Keating will return to the starting line up for the first time since round 20 when he sustained a hamstring injury in the Bulldogs 20-12 victory over the Sea-Eagles at Brookvale Oval.

In other movements Aiden Tolman has been named in the starting side after coming off the bench in his last start, with Martin Taupau named as part of a five man interchange with Joel Romelo. Harlan Alaalatoa will drop off the bench, returning to his favoured lock position in the NSW Cup.

It will be a big occasion for Captain Michael Ennis, Greg Eastwood and David Stagg who will be playing against their former team.

There will be something for everyone on Sunday, both on and off the field with the club celebrating its 'Family Fun Day' as well as highlighting the important work of Bulldogs in the Community partner Greening Australia.

Sunday's clash is set to kick off at 3.00pm.

Bulldogs Toyota Cup Coach Andy Patmore has made just one change to last week's team after the side's well earned 38-26 victory over the Newcastle Knights with Ben Stratton dropping off the five man interchange.

Skipper Moses Mbye will once again lead the team from the centres where he has excelled since shifting positions. Fellow Sunshine Coast product Patrick Templeman has retained the fullback position after a stellar debut which featured a try and a number of try saving tackles.

Back rower Danny Fualalo will also start after putting in a strong performance versus the Knights where he bagged a double and featured all over the park along with David Klemmer who has made a habit of muscling over the line for a try.

Last week's victory enabled the Bulldogs NYC team to move up to third on the ladder thanks to for and against, as they are equal with the fourth placed Panthers on 31 points. This week's game versus the 12th placed Broncos will be a crucial decider in the makeup of the ladder leading in to the back end of the season. Saturday afternoon kickoff is at 12.45pm.

The Bulldogs NSW Cup team will be taking on the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles at Brookvale Oval this Saturday, with kickoff scheduled for 3.00pm.

Following last week's 58-18 blitzing of the Western Suburbs Magpies, Coach Barry Ward has made three changes to the team. Harlan Alaalatoa has returned to his favoured lock position after an NRL call up, James Gavet returns to the second row and Josh Gill will drop back to the seven man bench.

Last week's blockbuster performance saw hooker Shane Pumipi bag a hat trick of tries with returning winger Bryson Goodwin kicking 9 of 10 goals, in what was a successful evening for the reigning premiers.

Teams for this weekend are as follows:

NRL

1 Ben Barba
2 Sam Perrett
3 Josh Morris
4 Krisnan Inu
5 Jonathan Wright
6 Josh Reynolds
7 Kris Keating
8 Aiden Tolman
9 Michael Ennis [c]
10 James Graham
11 Frank Pritchard
12 Josh Jackson
13 Greg Eastwood

14 Martin Taupau
15 Dale Finucane
16 Corey Payne
17 David Stagg
19 Joel Romelo

Head Coach: Des Hasler


NSW Cup

1 Gerard McCallum
2 Drury Low
3 Brett Lane
4 Luke MacDougall
5 Bryson Goodwin
6 Chad Isles
7 Trent Cutler
8 Tim Browne
9 Shane Pumipi
10 Jake Finn
11 James Gavet
12 Jake Foster
13 Harlan Alaalatoa

14 Ray Moujalli
15 Kose Lelei
16 Steve Azzi
17 Josh Gill
19 Junior Roquica
20 Daniel Abou-Sleiman
21 Ratu Tagive

Coach: Barry Ward


Toyota Cup

1 Patrick Templeman
2 Sam Ahofono
3 Moses Mbye [c]
4 Ed Murphy
5 John Sila
6 Jaline Graham
7 Freddie Robinson
8 David Klemmer
9 Dean Janda
10 Michael Ioapo
11 Tupou Sopoaga
12 Danny Fualalo
13 Paul Carter

15 James Ralphs
16 Lloyd Perrett
17 Lachlan Burr
19 David Minute
20 Matthew Fukofuka

Coach: Andy Patmore

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