In a surprising twist what was set to be a top of the table NRL clash has become a battle for season survival as the Canterbury Bulldogs take on Wests Tigers at Homebush Stadium in Friday night football. Join us from 7.30pm AEST for live scores and updates.
Whilst tonight’s match may be doubling as a celebration of the 1988 NSWRL Grand Final between Canterbury and Balmain Tigers, neither the Bulldogs nor Wests have had much to celebrate this year with both clubs sitting significantly lower down the premiership ladder than expected.
For the blue and whites the disappointment of last year’s Grand Final defeat has lingered on into 2013, with the club failing to build any sort of momentum on the back of suspension and injury dramas.
Whilst their gritty win against the Sharks in Gosford last week may indicate that they’re heading in the right direction, they’ll need to string a few wins together over the next month if they’re going to be considered serious contenders come September
In the Tigers camp however it has all been about the injuries, and new coach Michael Potter must surely be wondering what he’s done to anger the football Gods and bring about his side’s crippling injury toll.
Already without Galloway, Fulton, Anasta and Tuqiri, the Tigers have also lost Tim Moltzen for the season with an ACL injury as well as starting centres Chris Lawrence and Blake Ayshford long term.
In some rare good news for Wests though Fijian flyer Marvin Korobite returns on the flanks, whilst there has been strong mail that Benji Marshall is likely to take his place in the Tigers line-up.
For match-ups tonight keep an eye out for the battle of the rakes between Robbie Farah and Michael Ennis, the two men vying for the NSW hooker role who do not like each other one little bit.
Elsewhere the return of James Graham from his lengthy biting suspension is sure to raise interest, and how Tigers prop Aaron Woods acquits himself against the Englishman and rest of the large Bulldogs pack should go a long way to deciding whether he can earn himself that Blues jumper.
Should be a knockout match, I’m tipping the Bulldogs by 6! Join us at 7.30pm AEST for coverage of the action as it happens.
Lou
Guest
Ummm weres the "brilliance" , did I miss it ?? I went to take a dump !! Did didnt think I was that long !!!!
Chris Chard
Expert
And that's me done sports fans Bulldogs running out convincing winners 40 -4 over the Tigers Thanks for your company, see you again next time on the Roar! CC
Chris Chard
Expert
And as for how these two teams are shaping up for the rest of the season? Well I'm prepared to go off early and say the Bulldogs are back, their shape improved dramatically tonight with the extra grunt up front The Tigers, well, take Farah and Woods out of their team for Origin and they look a bit skinny....could be a long year for the black and golds
Chris Chard
Expert
40-4 Tigers looking down the barrel of some hard times with their injury tally, and the Dogs rejuvenated forward pack took full advantage of this tonight. For the Dogs tonight Graham, Kasiano, Reynolds and Perrett were impressive For the Tigers Captain Robbie Farah was busy as usual, but not too many other standouts unfortunately
Chris Chard
Expert
80min And the hooter blows! And, well, so did the Tigers. The Bulldogs have cleaned up tonight to move out of the NRL Doghouse
Chris Chard
Expert
78min Tigers kick the ball out on the full (facepalm) Bulldgos 40 Tigers 4
Chris Chard
Expert
77min Conversion is good! Hodkinson on fire! Embarrassing stuff here for the Tigers Conversion 40 Tigers 4
Trent
Guest
Yes :)
Chris Chard
Expert
76min TRY! Green light for Mitch Brown, Bulldogs backline has been damn slick tonight Bulldogs 38 Tigers 4
Chris Chard
Expert
36min TRY! Maybe! Mitch Brown goes over but..Video Ref? 8 Point try? Bulldogs 34 Tigers 4
Chris Chard
Expert
35min Bulldogs going for another try here,but Korobite knocks it dead Bulldogs 34 Tigers 4
Chris Chard
Expert
74min Benji Marshall throws a cutout pass...into touch. Having a shocker tonight Bulldogs 34 Tigers 4
Chris Chard
Expert
73min PENALTY Tigers get the penalty to have another crack here Bulldogs 34 Tigers 6
Chris Chard
Expert
70min Tigers force a dropout thanks to some enterprising play Bulldogs 34 Tigers 6
Chris Chard
Expert
70min COnversion is good Bulldogs 34 Tigers 6
Chris Chard
Expert
Looks like they're back!
Chris Chard
Expert
69 min But it all turns around so quickly, Farah up the middle and gets a pass to Tedesco who goes flying in to score a TRY! Bulldogs 34 Tigers 4
Trent
Guest
Good win for the doggies..
Chris Chard
Expert
67min Bulldogs force the dropout, here we go again Bulldogs 34 Tigers 0
Chris Chard
Expert
66min PENALTY Tigers imploding here Bulldogs 34 Tigers 0