The Canterbury Bulldogs have a great opportunity to gather some winning momentum today when they host the under strength Melbourne Storm. Join us for live scores and commentary from 3.00pm AEST.
With just eight weeks left before finals football, the Bulldogs really need to start stringing some wins together if they are to secure their place in the top eight.
The 2012 grand finalists are currently in ninth position and have struggled to replicate their terrific form of yesteryear.
Having come off a tight loss to Newcastle, the Bulldogs now find themselves hosting a Storm outfit minus Origin superstars Cooper Cronk, Billy Slater, Cameron Smith and Ryan Hoffman.
Throw in the injury to Gareth Widdop and its easy to see why the Bulldogs really should secure the competition points today.
While Melbourne still possess some attacking weapons (Justin O’Neill, Sisa Waqa and Will Chambers), anything less than a victory for Canterbury at home would be a massive failure given the amount of class the Storm have on the sidelines.
Prediction
The pressure will be on the Bulldogs to win and win well in front of their home fans and this could either lead to two possibilities.
Knowing that a win is paramount, Canterbury may opt to come out firing in a bid to seal the victory before halftime against a vastly under strength Storm outfit.
Canterbury however may also get lulled into thinking that the two competition points are a formality today and this may lead to a flat performance from Des Hasler’s men.
The last time the Bulldogs played under strength opposition during the Origin period, they found themselves outclassed and outmuscled by a Roosters team missing Mitchell Pearce, James Maloney and Michael Jennings.
To avoid a repeat of such a loss, the Bulldogs have to aim up upfront and win the arm wrestle against Melbourne.
Forwards Sam Kasiano, James Graham, Greg Eastwood, Aidan Tolman and Frank Pritchard will look to dominate upfront against a Melbourne pack that can be outmuscled if the Bulldogs play direct today.
If the Bulldogs do roll up their sleeves and play the tough footy that got them to the 2012 grand final, then they will be far too strong for a spirited Storm outfit.
Bulldogs by 12.
Chris
Guest
We won
Chris
Guest
No penatly try look at origin 2 last year Cronk did a worse thing to Carney and only go 10, should have got 10
Roarsome
Guest
I think that's a clear penalty try and should have been 10 in the bin too.
Alan
Roar Guru
The Bulldogs were just too strong today against the understrength Storm. The Bulldogs were expected to run out comfortable winners and have done so. There were a few tight moments for Canterbury early in the second half when O'Neill looked destined to score only for Reynolds to take him out. Other than that, it was all the Bulldogs as Hodkinson, Reynolds, Barba, Inu and Perrett tore the Melbourne defence apart. Much needed victory for Canterbury and they are now back in the top eight. Thanks for your company tonight and join us for Origin on Wednesday! Bulldogs 39 Storm 0
Alan
Roar Guru
FIELD GOAL BULLDOGS - Bulldogs with a knock back here. Looked like a knock on. Doesn't matter really. Hodkinson now with a field goal! FULLTIME Bulldogs 39 Storm 0
Alan
Roar Guru
Waqa now put into touch and Canterbury go back on the attack with just under two minutes remaining. Tough afternoon for Melbourne Bulldogs 38 Storm 0
Alan
Roar Guru
78' - Bulldogs with a chip kick on the last but the Storm gather possession Bulldogs 38 Storm 0
Alan
Roar Guru
Great break by Barba. He started the play and finished it off. Bulldogs will be very happy with this. Great for the points differential. 77' - Taupau now with a big run from the kickoff. Bulldogs attacking at will Bulldogs 38 Storm 0
Alan
Roar Guru
CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL - Hodkinson converts Bulldogs 38 Storm 0
Alan
Roar Guru
TRY BULLDOGS - Blair with a kick and Barba gathers for the Bulldogs before finding Perrett. Barba now makes a huge break after getting the ball from Perrett. Barba now finds Reynolds who then finds Barba again who scores! Bulldogs 36 Storm 0
Alan
Roar Guru
73' - Hodkinson with a chip kick and the ball is knocked back but Chambers gathers for Melbourne Bulldogs 32 Storm 0
Alan
Roar Guru
73' - Moors loses possession and the Bulldogs gather the football now. Bulldogs 32 Storm 0
Alan
Roar Guru
72' - Barba tries to find Perrett but the ball goes in between Perrett's legs and into touch. Melbourne on the attack Bulldogs 32 Storm 0
Alan
Roar Guru
NO TRY STORM - Fonua has dropped the ball here and the Bulldogs continue to keep Melbourne at zero Bulldogs 32 Storm 0
Alan
Roar Guru
70' - Hampton has played well for Melbourne despite the scoreline. Hampton's tackle on Barba a highlight. O'Neill with a grubber now and Melbourne looked to have scored here as Fonua regathers and plants the ball down! video referee Bulldogs 32 Storm 0
Alan
Roar Guru
69' - Bulldogs will be very happy with their effort today. They were expected to win well and have done so. Still just over ten minutes remaining. Bromwich over the halfway for Melbourne. Finch with a bomb and Perrett knocks the ball backwards and now finds Barba who then finds Brown who finds Barba again! Hampton with a great trysaving tackle on Barba! That will do him the world of good Hampton! Bulldogs 32 Storm 0
Alan
Roar Guru
Bulldogs would have hit 40 by now but Hodkinson continues to struggle with his goal kicking. He couldn't miss if he tried several weeks ago. 67' - Hodkinson with a kick and he finds touch Bulldogs 32 Storm 0
Alan
Roar Guru
CONVERSION UNSUCCESSFUL - Hodkinson misses again Bulldogs 32 Storm 0 Inu with great strength to muscle his way past three defenders and offload to Perrett. Perrett with his hat-trick!
Alan
Roar Guru
TRY BULLDOGS - Inu beats several defenders before offloading to Perrett who scores! Bulldogs 32 Storm 0
Alan
Roar Guru
64' - Bulldogs back on the attack after Melbourne make another error Bulldogs 28 Storm 0