Canterbury Bulldogs vs The Dolphins Prediction – Round 12 2025
20/05/2025|Joel Caine|NRL Expert Predictions & Tips
While all the news this week will be about the upcoming State of Origin series, there’s still plenty of regular season footy to be played.
Such as this match between the table topping Bulldogs and Redcliffe’s finest – The Dolphins.
Both sides have been affected by Origin, though not as drastically as you might think. It seems odd in particular, that the Bulldogs, who have been far and away the best side in the competition this season, have only had two players called up for representative duty.
Still, NSW and QLD’s loss is our gain, meaning there will still be plenty of top talent running out at Accor Stadium on Thursday night when the Dogs welcome the Dolphins to town.
Let’s take a look at how these two sides will line up for this pre-Origin showdown, as well as some betting tips for the H2H, first try scorer, and over/under markets. This is our Bulldogs vs Dolphins prediction.
Bulldogs vs Dolphins Teams
Canterbury Bulldogs Team List
1. Connor Tracey
2. Blake Wilson
3. Bronson Xerri
4. Blake Taaffe
5. Marcelo Montoya
6. Matt Burton
7. Toby Sexton
8. Lipoi Hopoi
9. Reed Mahoney
10. Josh Curran
11. Viliame Kikau
12. Harry Hayes
13. Bailey Hayward
14. Jake Turpin
15. Kurtis Morrin
16. Samuel Hughes
17. Luke Smith
The Dolphins Team List
1. Jake Averillo
2. Jamayne Isaako
3. Max Feagai
4. Herbie Farnworth
5. Jack Bostock
6. Kodi Nikorima
7. Isaiya Katoa
8. Francis Molo
9. Kurt Donoghoe
10. Felise Kaufusi
11. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki
12. Connelly Lemuelu
13. Ray Stone
14. Harrison Graham
15. Mark Nicholls
16. Josh Kerr
17. Oryn Keeley
Bulldogs vs Dolphins Prediction and Betting Tips
Head-to-Head Prediction
This reduced round of regular season footy opens with this compelling confrontation between the Bulldogs and the Dolphins at Accor Stadium.
In terms of Origin representation, both sides will be missing some key personnel. The Dolphins will be without fullback and main man Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, who has been selected at centre yet again for the Maroons.
Meanwhile, the Bulldogs will have to make do without captain Stephen Crichton and workhorse prop Max King, who have made their way into Laurie Daley’s NSW plans. The latter, earning a debut call-up to Origin after a couple of stellar seasons for the Dogs.
In terms of the result for this one, the Dolphins have taken a bit of a dive in recent times, with just one win from their last four. The Dogs on the other hand still sit clear on top of the table and we’re tipping them to maintain that gap with win number 10 of the season here.
Betting tip: Canterbury Bulldogs.
First Try Scorer Prediction
With a number of the usual try-scoring suspects such as the Hammer, Stephen Crichton and Jacob Kiraz ruled out either because of Origin or injury, we’re going to have to think a bit outside of the box here.
If the Dolphins dive over first anyone of Jamayne Isaako, Jake Averillo, Herbie Farnworth or Jack Bostock could be the man to score.
For the Dogs, we like the look of either Bronson Xerri or Connor Tracey in this market.
Betting tip: Bronson Xerri.
Over/Under Prediction
Not only are two of the game’s most potent attacking weapons away on Origin duty in the form of Stephen Crichton and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow. But four of the Dolphins' last five interstate matches have gone under the total match points line.
When you put two and two together, it won’t come as much of a surprise that we’re tipping the under total match points to come in here.
Betting tip: Under total match points.
Bulldogs vs Dolphins Match Details
Date: Thursday, May 22, 2025.
Kick-off: 7:50pm AEST.
Location: Accor Stadium, Sydney.