Having climbed into the top four on the back of nine straight wins, the Panthers have had their momentum halted by back-to-back golden point losses to the Raiders and Storm.
Now sitting three points outside the top four with two games to play the defending premiers are faced with the prospect of sudden-death footy throughout September if they're to make it five titles in a row.
The Bulldogs have also found the going tough in recent weeks with three losses in their past four matches but they finish off the season with two home games at Accor Stadium where the blue and white army will be out in force.
After playing a key role in Penrith's 2021-22 premierships as defensive coach, Cameron Ciraldo endured a tough initiation at Belmore in 2023 but he is now into a second straight finals series and has his sights on delivering the club's first premiership since 2004.
Match: Bulldogs v Panthers
Round 26 -
home Team
Bulldogs
3rd Position
away Team
Panthers
7th Position
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
Team News
Bulldogs: Josh Curran comes into the starting side for Viliame Kikau, who has been hospitalised with a skin infection. Prop Harry Hayes is facing six weeks on the sidelines with a hamstring injury so Daniel Suluka-Fifita has been added to the bench.
Panthers: With the top four out of reach Ivan Cleary has chosen to rest 16 of his frontline players. Back-rower Matt Eisenhuth will captain a side that includes premiership winners Paul Alamoti on the wing and Jack Cole at halfback while back-rower Zac Lipowicz, centres John Fonua and David Fale and bench forward Billy Phillips make their NRL debuts.
Match: Bulldogs v Panthers
Round 26 -
home Team
Bulldogs
away Team
Panthers
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Connor TraceyFullback for Panthers is number 1 Daine Laurie
-
Winger for Bulldogs is number 2 Jacob KirazWinger for Panthers is number 2 Jesse McLean
-
Centre for Bulldogs is number 3 Bronson XerriCentre for Panthers is number 3 Sione Fonua
-
Centre for Bulldogs is number 4 Stephen CrichtonCentre for Panthers is number 4 David Fale
-
Winger for Bulldogs is number 5 Marcelo MontoyaWinger for Panthers is number 5 Paul Alamoti
-
Five-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Matt BurtonFive-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 Jack Cole
-
Halfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Lachlan GalvinHalfback for Panthers is number 7 Brad Schneider
Forwards
-
Prop for Bulldogs is number 8 Max KingProp for Panthers is number 8 Luron Patea
-
Hooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Bailey HaywardHooker for Panthers is number 9 Luke Sommerton
-
Prop for Bulldogs is number 10 Samuel HughesProp for Panthers is number 10 Austin Dias
-
2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Josh Curran2nd Row for Panthers is number 11 Zac Lipowicz
-
2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Jacob Preston2nd Row for Panthers is number 12 Mavrik Geyer
-
Lock for Bulldogs is number 13 Jaeman SalmonLock for Panthers is number 13 Matthew Eisenhuth
Interchange
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Kurt MannInterchange for Panthers is number 14 Soni Luke
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Sitili TupouniuaInterchange for Panthers is number 15 Preston Riki
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Daniel Suluka-FifitaInterchange for Panthers is number 16 Riley Price
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Reed MahoneyInterchange for Panthers is number 17 Billy Phillips
Reserves
-
Replacement for Bulldogs is number 19 Enari Tuala
-
Reserve for Panthers is number 22 Jaxen Edgar
Match Officials
- Referee: Wyatt Raymond
- Touch Judge: Chris Sutton
- Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
- Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Bulldogs have not defeated the Panthers at Accor Stadium since 2018.
- The Panthers have won their last eight games against the Bulldogs.
- The Bulldogs have won seven from nine at Accor Stadium in 2025.
- Bulldogs winger Jacob Kiraz has scored five tries in his last six games.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the
