Roar Guru
Sydney Roosters 38
Canterbury Bulldogs 28
In Mitchell Pearce’s 200th first grade game, the Roosters started strong early, scoring four tries in the opening 25 minutes through Daniel Tupou (2), Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Michael Jennings.
The Bulldogs soon hit back, with a try to Shaun Lane bringing them into the game. Josh Morris and Corey Thompson soon followed to bring the game to 22-16 at half-time.
Brendan Elliot was denied of a try early in the second half, the Bulldogs levelled the scores through Trent Hodkinson going through the line on his own.
Corey Thompson scored his second try to put the Bulldogs in the lead for the first time in the match, Blake Ferguson closed the gap to bring the margin to within two points off the back of an impressive run from Jared Waerea-Hargeaves.
Michael Jennings scored with five minutes remaining, Mitchell Pearce denied three minutes later. The result was put beyond doubt as Jackson Hastings scored on the full-time siren to give the Roosters another win.
Mitchell Pearce is set to become the youngest ever player to notch up 200 games when the Sydney Roosters clash with the Canterbury Bulldogs at Allianz Stadium. Join The Roar from 7:30pm (AEST) for live scores and coverage.
This game will be won in the halves. If the Bulldogs pairing of Moses Mbye and Trent Hodkinson can step up and improve on their kicking and passing games, Des Hasler’s men will win easily.
James Maloney and Mitchell Pearce also have a point to prove, and if they can emulate their best form, the Roosters will edge closer to their third consecutive minor premiership.
In the only change for the Bulldogs, Mbye replaces Josh Reynolds due to suspension.
Corey Thompson and Danny Fualalo join an extended bench, while Frank Pritchard has been named despite suffering a rib injury in last week’s loss to the Sharks.
Meanwhile, Kane Evans, Matt McIlwrick and Suaia Matagi join an extended seven-man bench for the Roosters.
The Roosters and Bulldogs have played each other 33 times since 1998, with the Bulldogs winning 19 matches, the Roosters 14.
Last time the two teams met the Roosters defeated the Bulldogs 24-10 in Round 10 of the 2015 season.
The Roosters are coming off of a 33-8 win over the Wests Tigers, the Bulldogs were defeated by the Sharks last week 16-18.
Prediction
After a poor performance against the Sharks, the Bulldogs will struggle to beat the high-flying Roosters.
Roosters by 10.
Join The Roar from 7.30pm (AEST) for score updates and debate in our live blog.