NRL Round 13 Match Preview: Paws Out in Tigertown
This Saturday night, a fierce rivalry reignites as the Bulldogs visit CommBank Stadium to face the Wests Tigers.
Fresh off a triumphant win against Melbourne, the Bulldogs aim to maintain their momentum, while the struggling Tigers hope to end a three-game slump.
Fullback Jahream Bula returns after recovering from a shoulder injury, joining skipper Api Koroisau (suspension), lock Alex Twal (knee), and Heamasi Makasini (foot) in a much-needed boost.
New centres Sunia Turuva and Makasini replace Taylan May and Patrick Herbert, both sidelined by injuries and suspensions.
Faaletino Tavana steps in on the wing, while Latu Fainu and Alex Seyfarth shift to the interchange for Koroisau and Twal's return.
Memorable past matches include the thrilling 25-24 win in 2015 and the painful 38-nil loss for the Tigers in 2021.
Last encounter saw the Tigers prevail 28-14 in rainy conditions, a result the Bulldogs will seek to rectify.
After a standout State of Origin performance, Matt Burton returns to lead the Bulldogs, aiming for victory in a match expected to be equally tense.
Opposite him is former teammate Jarome Luai, who must rally the Tigers after recent heavy losses.
Bulldogs fans can take heart, as Burton is hitting his stride in the season's latter half.