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Phil Gould has cautioned the Bulldogs that they should remain alert when facing a dangerous Gold Coast team, particularly following the surprising decision to drop $1 million forward David Fifita.
Canterbury is still reeling from its first defeat of the NRL season, suffering a heavy 42-18 loss to the Broncos last week.
The Bulldogs are set to return to Suncorp Stadium for Magic Round on Sunday to take on a Titans side that is also struggling.
While it may seem like an easy outing for Canterbury on paper, the club’s football manager, Gould, has indicated that it could be a potential trap game.
Gold Coast coach Des Hasler made the bold call to send the underperforming Fifita to reserve grade this week, but Canterbury faces its own challenges, missing key players Matt Burton, Sitili Tupouniua, and Josh Curran due to suspension.

Captain Stephen Crichton with his Bulldogs players. Getty
“It’s a very perilous match, especially considering we are short on numbers,” Gould remarked on Wide World of Sports’ Six Tackles with Gus podcast. “They’re missing several key forwards. Curran and Tupouniua have been in excellent form, and Matt Burton is vital to our team’s strategy.”
“The Titans are a threat and can score points quickly; the Bulldogs will need to stay sharp and focused,” he added.
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Although Gould expresses concern over a potential surprise from the Titans, all of Nine’s expert tipsters are favouring the Bulldogs to come away with the win.
Another match that raises eyebrows is the Newcastle versus South Sydney clash on Saturday afternoon, which will also be shown on Nine. The tipping panel is divided, but Gould predicts a potential ‘flood’ of points from the Knights at Suncorp Stadium.
Having struggled to score in recent weeks, he asserts that Newcastle’s fortunes are due for a turnaround. “When it changes, it may come all at once,” he shared. “I’m backing Newcastle to find their groove this week.”
See below for the current leaderboard and Women’s Origin, along with Round 9 predictions from all Nine’s tipsters!

NRL tipping leaderboard after round eight. Nine
Andrew Johns: NSW, Sharks, Dolphins, Knights, Cowboys, Tigers, Bulldogs, Broncos, Storm
Brad Fittler: NSW, Eels, Dolphins, Knights, Cowboys, Tigers, Bulldogs, Broncos, Storm
Ruan Sims: NSW, Sharks, Roosters, Rabbitohs, Cowboys, Tigers, Bulldogs, Broncos, Storm
Danika Mason: NSW, Eels, Dolphins, Knights, Warriors, Tigers, Bulldogs, Broncos, Storm
David Middleton: NSW, Sharks, Roosters, Rabbitohs, Cowboys, Dragons, Bulldogs, Broncos, Storm
Watch the 2025 Women’s State of Origin series live and free on Nine and 9Now.
Darren Lockyer: Queensland, Sharks, Dolphins, Rabbitohs, Cowboys, Wests Tigers, Bulldogs, Broncos, Storm
Paul Gallen: NSW, Sharks, Roosters, Rabbitohs, Cowboys, Dragons, Bulldogs, Broncos, Storm
Peter Psaltis: Queensland, Eels, Dolphins, Knights, Cowboys, Tigers, Bulldogs, Broncos, Storm
Mat Thompson: Queensland, Sharks, Dolphins, Knights, Warriors, Tigers, Bulldogs, Broncos, Raiders
Michael Chammas: NSW, Sharks, Roosters, Rabbitohs, Warriors, Tigers, Bulldogs, Panthers, Storm
The Mole: Queensland, Sharks, Dolphins, Knights, Cowboys, Dragons, Bulldogs, Broncos, Storm
Ben Glover: Queensland, Sharks, Dolphins, Rabbitohs, Warriors, Tigers, Bulldogs, Broncos, Storm
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