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I broke my golden rule in last year’s Grand Final and backed a team with no recognized organiser against the Storm’s Cooper Cronk, who runs a team just about better than anybody.
The Canterbury Bulldogs will have to show a marked improvement in fifth tackle decision making if they are to “get me” again, but they may get their halfback Trent Hodgkinson back.
I supported them at big odds early in the season and was happy to “let it ride” into the big one, but the bookies have found them early this season and given the injury concerns to several of their forwards they must be opposed at their current skinny quote.
The Bulldogs have the reputation for fielding the best forward pack in the NRL but they will be without their three most influential forwards for a major part of the early rounds and Corey Payne has retired and his value inside the dressing room was invaluable.
International James Graham, the other big talker, will miss the initial 12 weeks after chewing Billy Slater’s ear in the Grand Final, while prop of the year Sam Kasiano will be in rehab for at least the first month.
This will mean an extended period up front for young Martin Taupau and we can expect to see plenty of 19 year old David Klemmer, who weighs 120kg (Kasiano is 122kg).
Klemmer was the 2012 Dally M Toyota Cup player of the year and the only player to make over 4000 metres, but the smart teams will likely find him out in defence as he turns like the Queen Mary.
Kiwi star Frank Pritchard has ongoing injury concerns and he will miss the early games also. That is four key forwards from last years super pack.
A bonus for the Bulldogs is that they have been allocated nine Friday night matches in the first 20 rounds, but they will need them.
The other bonus is that Trent Hodgkinson has responded and will likely be available for round one. If he is fit he must start at halfback as he is the only player on the Bulldogs list who can organise which was the chief reason why they were beaten by the Storm in last year’s Grand Final.
Hodgkinson’s biggest concern is that he cannot run at full capacity, but his ability to run the team is priceless.
There is no question that the one player they cannot replace is fullback Ben Barba and it will be a major surprise if he is not missing for the three Origin games along with Josh Morris and Tony Williams.
STAKING PLAN:
The Bulldogs are gross “under the odds” in my opinion at this stage of the season. With question marks over Hodgkinson and plenty of injury and suspension concerns to key forwards their task will not be easy. Prefer to risk.
VIDEO PREVIEW:
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