On the back of a hugely successful Magic Round weekend in Wagga Wagga, the Round 6 NRLW action kicks off at Belmore Oval, the spiritual home of the Bulldogs.
With a 2-3 record after five rounds the Bulldogs need to start making a move and they will fancy their chances against the travelling Cowboys (1-4).
Next stop is Ocean Protect Stadium where the Sharks also need to get their skates on if they want to be part of the finals action for the third year running.
Injuries have hit the Sharks hard but they will be hoping home ground advantage can help them spring an upset against a Titans outfit playing some exhilarating attacking football.
The last stop on the Saturday NRLW road train is FMG Stadium in Waikato for a showdown between the Warriors and Knights.
From sevens rugby legends to powerhouse forwards and gifted playmakers, this promises to be an absolute cracker to close out a bumper day.
Follow all the action from Round 6 of the NRLW Telstra Premiership on NRL.com’s live blog.
Bulldogs v Cowboys at Belmore Sports Ground
Half-time: The Bulldogs are in total control at Belmore despite playing one down for 10 minutes when Daynah Nankivell was sin binned. The Bulldogs piled on four tries 10 minutes and ran for 937 metres compared to the Cowboys’ 426.
32 min: Andie Robinson joins in on the left edge and picks up Monica Tagoai who delivers the final pass for Elizabeth MacGregor to cross in the left-hand corner as the Cowboys are stripped for numbers. Bulldogs 20-6
28 min: The Bulldogs go to the right and Andie Robinson slices between Abigail Roache and Charlize Lloyd-Phillips to make it three tries in six minutes for the Bulldogs. Tayla Preston can’t convert. Bulldogs 16-6
27 min: A high tackle penalty against Alisha Foord hands the Bulldogs more field position.
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Hope Millard Try
25 min: The home side hit the front after Latisha Smythe is dragged down just short before Evelyn Roberts gets into dummy half and picks up a charging Hope Millard is too strong from close range. Tayla Preston converts. Bulldogs 12-6
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Simina Lokotui Try
22 min: The Bulldogs hit back after Simina Lokotui finishes off some slick work on the right edge by Tayla Preston, Leilani Wilson and Daynah Nankivell. That makes it five tries for the season for Lokotui. The conversion from wide out is a beauty by Preston. 6-6
20 min: Charlize Lloyd-Phillips takes a bomb on the full just short of the line but she has the ball stolen from her by Simina Lokotui who is bundled into touch but the Cowboys are penalised for a second effort.
19 min: We are back to 13 on 13 as Daynah Nankivell returns to the field.
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Francesca Goldthorp Try
17 min: A mistake by Hope Millard gives the Cowboys an opportunity and they pounce with Tallisha Harden finding space in the middle and offloading for Fran Goldthrorp to sprint 45 metres for the game’s opening try. Rosie Kelly adds the extras. Cowboys 6-0
13 min: Ash Quinlan takes off out of dummy half and makes good metres for the Bulldogs before Essay Banu stops her in her tracks with an absolute bell-ringer.
11 min: Emma Manzelmann is caught under a pile of players as the Cowboys scramble to try and stop Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa from close range. Manzelmann hobbles off with what appears to be an ankle injury.
10 min: A mistake by Essay Banu sees the Cowboys squander their first shot at points with the one-player advantage.
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Daynah Nankivell sent to the bin
9 min: Daynah Nankivell is sent to the sin bin for a hip drop on Abigail Roache whose leg is bent back awkwardly in the tackle.
8 min: The Bulldogs are again caught on the last as the ball dies with Tayla Preston.
7 min: Emma Manzelmann goes way too deep with her kick on the last and Elizabeth MacGregor takes it easily in-goal for a seven-tackle set.
5 min: Tayla Preston fails to find touch after a penalty and the Cowboys have good field position.
3 min: The Bulldogs elect to run the ball on the last and Monca Tagoai is brought down five metres out. The Cowboys then get a piggyback out of trouble with a high tackle penalty against Giovanna Suani.
Late Mail
Bulldogs: No further changes on game day after Pani Hopoate (knee) dropped out on Friday, replaced in the front row by Giovanna Suani. The new face on the bench is Paea Uilou. Centre Monica Tagaoi has scored a try in four of her five games this season.
Cowboys: The Cowboys have made late changes to the bench with Hailee-Jay Ormond-Maunsell and Tiana Raftstrand-Smith coming in for Lily Dick and Lydia Turua-Quedley. Former rugby star Ashley Marsters is set to start in the front row for the first time as coach Ricky Henry rejigs his forward pack. Bree Chester shifts from lock to the second row, with Makenzie Weale moving from prop to lock. The Cowboys have won their last three games in Sydney.
Numbers Game
The Bulldogs were beaten 56-24 by the Raiders in their only previous match at Belmore Sports Ground.
The Cowboys have won their last three games in Sydney.
Bulldogs centre Monica Tagoai has scored a try in four of her five games this season.
The Cowboys are chasing back-to-back wins for the first time this season.
Sharks v Titans at Ocean Protect Stadium
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Warriors v Knights: Round 6