The Bulldogs snapped a three game losing streak when the welcomed back their Origin halves Trent Hodkinson and Josh Reynolds and defeated Canberra 22 – 14 in round 15.
The Bulldogs, who were still missing several key members of their back-line in Josh Morris, Chase Stanley and Sam Perrett, made the most of their opportunities to score the much needed win.
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It wasn’t it the Bulldogs at their best but it showed how they can grind out a win when they need to – which will have to be the case this week against Manly.
The above backs a still missing despite the advantage of last week’s bye, and also out of the team this week will be Hodkinson and Reynolds who will be preparing for the final Origin match.
Captain and regular hooker Michael Ennis has been named at half-back with Josh Jackson at five-eight whilst the hooking role will be filled by Damian Cook.
It leaves the Bulldogs with a very unfamiliar back line for this clash and with Manly in strong form, one that’ll face plenty of pressure.
The one plus for the Bulldogs is that Aidan Tolman returns from injury to the forwards.
MANLY
The Sea Eagles maintained their position at the top of the ladder with a solid and testing win over the Roosters, who had won seven of their last eight, 24 – 16 at Brookvale last week.
In front of a big home crowd, Manly were the first to score and for the majority of the match, had their noses in front. Some stout defence in the second half repelled a number of the Roosters’ attacking raids and would’ve pleased coach Geoff Toovey immensely.
It was Manly’s third win in a row and seventh from their past nine outings, and has them well placed and full of momentum heading into the business end of the season.
The only change for the Sea Eagles line-up this week is the absence of Daly Cherry-Evans through Origin duty otherwise, Manly name a very formidable looking line-up – one similar to that who accounted for the Dogs as recently as round 13, 32 – 10.
HEAD TO HEAD
When the two sides last met, the Bulldogs had Hodkinson and Reynolds in the team although they were backing up from the first State Of Origin.
The Bulldogs scored first but then Manly dominated the remainder of play, running in five tries to only another one to the Bulldogs.
This week, the Bulldogs are without their halves and a number of back who were involved in the round 13 clash. It’s hard to see the Bulldogs having enough to hold out a Manly side in hot form with so many changes to their line-up.
In the round 13 clash, Brett Stewart scored a double. He also finished a nice set move last week, which there should be plenty more of this weekend, so any betting involving him as a try-scorer is a better than average chance.
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Tems:
BULLDOGS: Mitch Brown, Corey Thompson, Krisnan Inu, Timoteo Lafai, Drury Low, Josh Jackson, Michael Ennis, Aiden Tolman, Damien Cook, James Graham, Greg Eastwood, Tony Williams, Dale Finucane. Interchange: Sam Kasiano, Tim Browne, Lloyd Perrett, Reni Maitua, Pat O’Hanlon.
MANLY: Brett Stewart, Jorge Taufua, Jamie Lyon, Steve Matai, Peta Hiku, Kieran Foran, Jack Littlejohn, Josh Starling, Matt Ballin, Brenton Lawrence, Jamie Buhrer, Justin Horo, Dunamis Lui. Interchange: Jesse Sene-Lefao, James Hasson, Tom Symonds, Jason King.
