Panthers vs Bulldogs
Round 26 2026, Friday 28 August 2026
Verdict: Panthers by 14
PanthersBulldogs
Result: Panthers 24 defeated Bulldogs 10 ✓ Tip correct
Match facts
- Kick-off
- Fri 28 Aug, 8:00pm AEST
- Venue
- CommBank Stadium, Sydney
- Ladder going in
- Panthers 2nd, Bulldogs 9th
- Referee
- Gerard Sutton
- Crowd
- 19,979
- Weather
- Fine, good ground
How the experts tipped
Panthers 100%0% Bulldogs
| Expert | Tip | Tip correct |
|---|---|---|
| Jordan Baker | Panthers | ✓ |
| Chris Barrett | Panthers | ✓ |
| Zoe Samios | Panthers | ✓ |
| Zac Bailey | Panthers | ✓ |
| Frances Howe | Panthers | ✓ |
| Christian Nicolussi | Panthers | ✓ |
| Billie Eder | Panthers | ✓ |
| Adrian Proszenko | Panthers | ✓ |
| Dan Walsh | Panthers | ✓ |
| Andrew Johns | Panthers | ✓ |
| Emma Kemp | Panthers | ✓ |
| Neil Breen | Panthers | ✓ |
Going in
| Club | Ladder going in | Last five, oldest first | Model rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Panthers | 2nd | WWLLW | +9.6 |
| Bulldogs | 9th | WWLLW | +0.6 |
Last five games
Panthers
| Round | Opponent | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Round 25 | at Storm | W 22–14 |
| Round 24 | v Roosters | L 6–12 |
| Round 23 | at Warriors | L 12–28 |
| Round 22 | v Raiders | W 42–18 |
| Round 21 | at Eels | W 24–18 |
Bulldogs
| Round | Opponent | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Round 25 | at Dragons | W 44–14 |
| Round 24 | v Rabbitohs | L 6–22 |
| Round 23 | at Roosters | L 18–20 |
| Round 22 | at Storm | W 36–22 |
| Round 21 | v Warriors | W 18–6 |
Head to head since 2024
| Season | Round | Game | Score | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Round 6 | Bulldogs v Panthers | 32–16 | Accor Stadium |
| 2025 | Semi-Finals | Bulldogs v Panthers | 26–46 | Accor Stadium |
| 2025 | Round 26 | Bulldogs v Panthers | 28–4 | Accor Stadium |
| 2025 | Round 17 | Panthers v Bulldogs | 8–6 | CommBank Stadium |
| 2024 | Round 10 | Panthers v Bulldogs | 16–10 | BlueBet Stadium |
Team lists
Panthers
- 1 Dylan Edwards Fullback
- 2 Thomas Jenkins Winger
- 3 Izack Tago Centre
- 4 Casey McLean Centre
- 5 Brian To'o Winger
- 6 Jack Cole Five-Eighth
- 7 Nathan Cleary (c) Halfback
- 8 Moses Leota Prop
- 9 Freddy Lussick Hooker
- 10 Liam Henry Prop
- 11 Isaiah Papali'i 2nd Row
- 12 Liam Martin 2nd Row
- 13 Lindsay Smith Lock
- 14 Billy Scott Interchange
- 15 Scott Sorensen Interchange
- 16 Luke Garner Interchange
- 17 Billy Phillips Interchange
- 18 Blaize Talagi Reserve
- 20 Kalani Leuluai-Going Reserve
Coach: Ivan Cleary
Bulldogs
- 1 Connor Tracey Fullback
- 2 Jacob Kiraz Winger
- 3 Matt Burton Centre
- 4 Bronson Xerri Centre
- 5 Enari Tuala Winger
- 6 Stephen Crichton (c) Five-Eighth
- 7 Lachlan Galvin Halfback
- 8 Max King Prop
- 9 Bailey Hayward Hooker
- 10 Leo Thompson Prop
- 11 Viliame Kikau 2nd Row
- 12 Jacob Preston 2nd Row
- 13 Jaeman Salmon Lock
- 14 Jake Turpin Interchange
- 15 Alekolasimi Jones Interchange
- 16 Harry Hayes Interchange
- 17 Josh Curran Reserve
- 19 Sean O'Sullivan Reserve
- 23 Cooper Toy Interchange
Coach: Cameron Ciraldo
Numbers as named by each club on nrl.com. Changes are measured against the club's previous game.
Why the model leaned this way
Going in, Panthers rated +9.6 and Bulldogs +0.6 on our scale, a gap of 9.0 points, plus 4.5 points for playing at their own ground.
Scoring
- Panthers
- Tries Liam Martin 7', Liam Martin 43', Casey McLean 66'
- Goals 3/3, pen Nathan Cleary 39', Nathan Cleary 54', Nathan Cleary 64'
- Half-time 8
- Bulldogs
- Tries Matt Burton 24', Jacob Preston 59'
- Goals 1/2
- Half-time 4
Draw, teams and scoring: nrl.com match centre. Expert tips: The Sydney Morning Herald panel.