NRL: Forgotten man slips into place

Michael Sullivan, of the Bulldogs, gets an opportunity to impress this Sunday against the Warriors. Photo / Getty Images

Michael Sullivan is keen to shed his tag as the forgotten man of the NRL when he starts only his second game this season for the Bulldogs against the Warriors on Sunday.

The form of first-choice hooker Michael Ennis and a succession of niggling injuries have limited Sullivan's first-grade appearances, but with Ennis preparing for his Origin debut Sullivan gets his chance to shine in Auckland.

The 29-year-old former Cronulla rake returned to the NRL after a two-year spell in the English Super League with Warrington at the start of last season and has been forced to spend most of 2009 playing in the NSW Cup.

But Sullivan has no regrets about joining the Bulldogs and said the team's outstanding form this season has made it a great club to be at.

"I have had a couple of dramas with a hamstring which saw me miss a couple of games which has been frustrating, but on the other hand it is good to have the club going well," he said. "Playing reserve grade footy is not ideal, but I know when I get the chance, that it is good to be able to come into a side that is going well rather than a struggling [side] which was the case last season."

Sullivan is one of five enforced changes for the Bulldogs, who make the tough trip to Auckland without Ennis, halfback Brett Kimmorley and centre Josh Morris due to State of Origin commitments as well as winger Bryson Goodwin and prop Greg Eastwood.

The Bulldogs accepted a two-week ban for Kiwis forward Eastwood and Goodwin after they were charged with grade-two dangerous throws in separate incidents during their 12-19 defeat to Manly on Monday. They each faced three-week bans if the Bulldogs contested the charge at the NRL judiciary and lost.

Sullivan admitted a trip to face the Warriors at Mt Smart Stadium is not the ideal game for an under-strength side, but said it was a chance for fringe players to play their part.

"It's a really good chance for the club to show what we are all about, but we know we have our work cut out over there," he said.

"But the good thing is that we are going over there full of confidence and in the NSW Cup we are top of the ladder so the players coming in like myself are feeling on top of our games and ready to go."

Bulldogs coach Kevin Moore will make a decision on who will replace Eastwood and Goodwin tomorrow before the players fly to New Zealand on Saturday.

- AAP