Round 1 team announced
Seven players will make their debut for the Bulldogs when they take on NRL Premiers and World Club Champions, the Manly Sea Eagles, at ANZ Stadium this Saturday night.
Josh Morris, Bryson Goodwin, Brett Kimmorley, Ben Hannant, Michael Ennis, Michael Hodgson and David Stagg are all part of the Bulldogs aggressive off season recruiting campaign and have impressed in off season training and trial games.
The team also includes winger Hazem El Masri who requires just seven points to become the greatest pointscorer in the history of the Premiership. Jamal Idris, John Kite and Ben Barba, who all starred in last year's NYC team, have also been named in the team to take on Manly.
Bulldogs Head Coach Kevin Moore says the team brings together a good combination of youth, experience and new ideas.
"We are excited about taking on Manly in round; it will give us a true indication on how we are travelling," Moore said today.
"The trials were always going to be used to test a number of things, especially combinations and players competing hard for selection for this match, which they have done really well.
"It's great to have Luke Patten back, his combination with Mick Ennis and the halves is vitally important and it will give us a great base to work off."
1. Luke Patten
2. Hazem El Masri
3. Josh Morris
4. Jamal Idris
5. Bryson Goodwin
6. Ben Roberts
7. Brett Kimmorley
8. Ben Hannant
9. Michael Ennis
10. Michael Hodgson
11. Gary Warburton
12. Andrew Ryan
13. David Stagg
Interchange
14. Lee Te Maari
15. Chris Armit
16. John Kite
17. Ben Barba
