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The Canterbury Bulldogs will be hoping they can end a poor run of form that has seen them win only one of their last five games when they face the Parramatta Eels at ANZ Stadium. Join us for live scores and commentary from 7.45pm AEST.
The Bulldogs will feel as if they let one slip last Friday night when they lost by two points to the Manly Sea Eagles.
After dominating the first 40 minutes of the game, the Bulldogs took to the sheds only leading by a slender advantage, which was quickly evaporated by Brett Stewart only minutes in the second half.
This lack of ruthlessness is a trait that is starting to become a regular fixture with the Bulldogs.
If Ben Barba, Josh Morris and Frank Pritchard are not firing, it seems as if the Bulldogs become bewildered for ideas.
The inclusion of centre Tim Lafai this week will be a timely boost considering his impressive form throughout last season when filling in for Jamal Idris.
If he can produce anything like he did last season, his pace and power should provide the Bulldogs with a great new avenue for attack.
Another player who many will have a keen eye on is Bulldogs captain and hooker Michael Ennis.
The injury sustained by Newcastle Knights hooker Danny Buderus on Monday night against the Panthers has opened the door for Ennis who will be eager to impress New South Wales coach Ricky Stuart.
His form this season has been a shadow to that of last season but his toughness and doggedness is rumoured to give him the slight advantage over his direct rival West Tiger’s Robbie Farah.
A strong showing tonight might just about cement his place as New South Wales hooker for game one.
On the other hand, Parramatta won’t be having too many players contesting State of Origin positions.
The lack of depth and quality in the squad has really shown so far this season and their effort against the West Tigers last weekend was for a majority a major disappointment.
Yes, they did score five tries in the last 15 minutes but how motivated were the West Tigers defensively after leading 31-0.
What we did see in the last 15 minutes is a sample of the football Parramatta can play when they don’t have any pressure on them.
They now need to generate that form into 80 minutes of consistent footy. There is no point in turning up when the game is practically over.
After starring in New South Wales Cup last weekend prized recruit Chris Sandow returns to the Parramatta line-up, although strangely on the bench.
It won’t be any surprise come game time if we see Sandow starting in the halves and make-up halfback Casey McGuire resorting back to the bench as reserve hooker.
It will be interesting to see whether Stephen Kearney’s plan of dropping Sandow for confidence building reasons will pay off. Can Sandow rediscover the form that made the Eels break the bank for his services?
If the Bulldogs can neutralise star fullback Jarryd Hayne, it will up to the likes of Chris Sandow and Willie Tonga to finally step up and show their true value to the Parramatta faithful.
Can the Canterbury Bulldogs get back on track in their quest for the NRL Premiership or will the Eels continue on with the form they showed in the dying stages against the West Tigers and win only their second match of the season?
Join us from 7.45pm AEST for live score updates and debate on our live blog, and be sure to give us your opinion in the space below if you are watching or following along.
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