Early season pace setters, the Sydney Roosters, will face arguably their biggest test of the year this Sunday, coming from the team currently languishing in second last position on the NRL ladder.
The Canterbury Bulldogs have failed to reproduce the form that took them to a preliminary final birth in 2009, losing their opening two matches to start this season.
Back to back losses to the Newcastle Knights and the St George Illawarra Dragons is certainly not up to standard for a Bulldogs side who were the only team last season to not lose consecutive matches.
The Belmore club, however, are now staring at a 0-3 record to start season 2010 when they face a Roosters outfit brimming with confidence
Just about the only good news for the Bulldogs coming into this encounter surrounds their home ground advantage, having won seven of the nine clashes they have played against Brian Smith’s men at ANZ stadium.
But the Bulldogs will need more than the help of their home fans to get them over the line against their Eastern Suburbs rivals.
On the field, Kevin Moore’s men have been error prone and ill disciplined, which is in stark contrast to the form they displayed last season.
The Bulldogs ill discipline has already seen key players serve stints on the sideline, with Michael Ennis a notable absentee from last Friday’s loss to the Dragons.
Although Ennis will play on Sunday, Canterbury will now be without key forward Gary Warburton, who has been suspended for two matches.
Warburton now joins fellow key forwards Mickey Paea and Michael Hodgson on the sidelines, with the latter two players out injured for an extended period.
With Ennis back in the side however, the Bulldogs will look to dominate around the ruck against a Roosters outfit who were torn to shreds up the middle by the Wests Tigers during the opening quarter of the game last week.
Although the Tigers failed to capitalise on their onslaught against the chooks, the Bulldogs have shown they are a far more consistent unit when they go on a roll with the football.
Having started slowly in their opening two matches, Canterbury will be desperate to begin well against a Roosters outfit which has made a habit of punishing opposition defences when in possession.
While the Roosters are well served in attack, with the likes of Todd Carney, Mitchell Pearce and Braith Anasta dictating terms, the Bulldogs also possess a potent backline with tries written all over it.
Bryson Goodwin and Josh Morris each scored more than 20 tries last season in performances which ensured both players were rewarded with selection in last year’s Kiwi and Kangaroo squads for the Four Nations tournament.
Add the inclusion of duel Premiership winner Steve Turner and the Bulldogs certainly have an aura of potency about their backline.
And for all the suspension and injuries currently plaguing the side, Canterbury still have the players that matter upfront, notably Andrew Ryan, David Stagg and Ben Hannant.
Despite the slow start this season, it seems the punters themselves know better than to write off the boys from Belmore.
Tab Sportsbet currently has the Bulldogs as a $1.85 favourite for the match against the Roosters, despite their low position on the NRL ladder.
The Bulldogs are known for their ability to overcome adversity and Sunday’s match against their great rivals serves as a terrific opportunity to get their season back on track against a Roosters side who are also on a path to redemption.
Whilst not underestimating the Chooks in any way, Brian Smith’s men will probably have to play their best game of the year to date if they are to stop a Bulldogs team that will most likely show up with the form that carried them to within a game of last year’s Grand Final.
Blueblood
Roar Rookie
Yep, think that coveres the critics, doubters and fans all in one scoreline...with some left over. Imagine what the score would have been with a performing goal kicker!! Welcome back boys :)
Dogz R Barkn
Roar Guru
80 minutes = big win (very big)
Steve Kaless
Roar Guru
Some answers in that performance Alan.
Blueblood
Roar Rookie
As another dogs fan, I've backed them, but if i was risking a large sum of money, I hate to say it but I'd be thinking long and hard and prob would lean the other way unfortunately. Their form has been very average, I hope training this week turns around the woeful start to the season they've had. Kudos to the dragons for their start, hope they can continue all the way for their supporters sake (including my long suffering dad)! The only consolation for the Bulldogs is looking at Parra's start last year and where they eventually ended up come seasons end. Still, with 3 losses in a row it will start to become a bit of a PA relations disaster and wont help growing the crucial membership drive (incidentally Dogz & Dogs, I hope you've both got your season '10 Bulldogs membershisp cards by now!?!) ;-)
Firebrand Sally
Guest
Given the latest penchant is for rival clubs to play off for a trophy named in honour of someone significant to both clubs (for example, Souths play Easts for the Ron Coote Cup, and Parramatta play Easts for the Jack Gibson Cup), I propose that all future Roosters versus Bulldogs contests be played for the "Willie Mason Cup".
Norm
Guest
I think the Roosters can make it 3 from 3.
Dogz R Barkn
Roar Guru
nothing wrong with a bit of mongrel!!
Dogz R Barkn
Roar Guru
The big question is whether the Dogz will turn up to play from the opening minute, or whether they'll need another 40 minutes to settle down (afterwhich we'll be chasing the game yet again).
Dogs Of War
Roar Guru
It comes down to the Dogs getting the basic's right. Ball handling has been poor, and Ben Roberts has been even worse. Hopefully if Ben is looking poor, he is hooked immediately for Ben Barba to at least give us a chance.
alan nicolea
Guest
Dogs of War Whilst i did not tip the Dogs to beat the chooks, i expect the Belmore boys to lift considerably against their great rivals and produce more of the form that should have made them minor premiers in 2009. If the Roosters muscle up in defence, i can see their halves playing all over the top of the ageing Brett Kimmorley and inconsistent Ben Roberts.
MyGeneration
Roar Guru
I tipped the Roosters, but I am concerned that the Dogs have a pretty good record of ruffling the Roosters' feathers in recent times (a bit more mongrel, you might say). I am also concerned because my tipping has been crap so far this year.
Dogs Of War
Roar Guru
Why is everybody tipping the Dogs. I did, but that cause I support them, the rest of you must not have watched how poorly we have been playing. Considering the injuries our team has, there is no reason why we are suddenly going to turn the corner and run away with this one. What I do want to know, what are the bookies smoking to have us as favorites.
Brett McKay
Guest
nice stuff Alan, and I'll admit that I've tipped the Dogs for the very reasons you've laid out plus one major factor: they're due. By the way, I always get suspicious when Roosters fans start talking up their opposition ;-)
alan nicolea
Guest
Tinnie The chooks won by 12 but yes they will have to improve dramatically in defence to win their third consecutive game. Brian Smith should have his chargers primed for a Bulldogs onslaught early on. If the chooks can withstand the early pressure, then they are every chance of maintaining their unbeaten start to the season. I think the way the roosters handle this game will determine whether or not they are fair dinkum about finals football this season.
M1tch
Roar Guru
I tipped the Dogs but they have to improve by 95% they look like a pub team out there at times, what happened from September 09 to March 10?
Tinnie
Roar Rookie
Good write-up. Roosters have proven in the first two rounds that they can score plenty of points, but this weekend i feel their defence will have to improve dramatically. They lead the Tigers by 22 points in the 2nd half last week but only won by 8. I trust Brian Smith will bring them in with a solid game plan though. As for the Doggies i dont think there's any shame in getting a good touch-up by the Dragons this early in the season, no team is at their level atm. The key to a Bulldogs victory is as you mentioned discipline, cut down on the silly penalties and handling errors and points will come. Hannant Vs Ryles should be a good contest and head to head i feel theres too much skill and experience in the backline for the Roosters to handle. My money is on the Dogs, but should be an entertaining game. Good time for both teams to step up and make themselve's noticed.