The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs will look to separate themselves from the pack with a win tonight as they head to Kogarah to take on a St George Illawarra Dragons side playing for pride. Join us for live scores and updates from 7.00pm AEST.
While Canterbury are well in contention to make it back to back appearances in September, Steve Price and his troops will have to be happy watching it at home.
The Bulldogs were able to put an end to their two game losing streak with a comprehensive 42-10 victory over Parramatta last Friday night at ANZ Stadium.
While coach Des Hasler will be impressed with the score line, he would surely have used the extended break to work on his side’s effort over the full 80 minutes, after conceding two late tries and making 15 errors in a sloppy game of football.
Despite a miraculous come from behind golden point victory over South Sydney a fortnight ago, the Dragons showed that it was just an anomaly, going down to Canberra 22-18 in Wollongong last Saturday night.
Even with over 54 percent of possession and eight more sets than the visitors, St George just couldn’t break their hoodoo against the Raiders.
Prediction
While the Dragons are still a ‘mathematical chance’ to make the eight, the players can all but book in their end of year trip for September.
With all but nothing to play for, I can’t see the Dragons giving Canterbury to much trouble. The Dogs themselves will be desperate to come away with the two points and separate themselves from the pack.
Even without Ben Barba at the back, the Bulldogs should be too strong for the home side, and pushing Steve Price one step closer to looking for a new job in 2014.
Canterbury by ten.
Dogs Of War
Roar Guru
For and against means nothing due to the 3 points. Really I am looking at Manly to lose 3 games, they play the Storm for one, and I am allowing the Bulldogs one more loss (who knows how that plays out).
Nathan Beuman
Roar Guru
I mean points wise on the table there is a big gap. There is a 8 point gap between 2nd and 5th and 3 points between 4th and 5th. Usually it's a lot closer then that. Not that the top 4 is set in stone, but 3 points with a poor for and against is a pretty big gap to make up with no Barba.
Renegade
Guest
I don't think they are that far separated at all....considering one of them got flogged by the team coming 13th this week and another lost to the warriors last week. I think anyone in the top 6 can win it however at this stage Melbourne and the roosters are favourites.
Nathan Beuman
Roar Guru
If they can get Barba back 100% healthy for the finals, have Tony Williams playing like he did in that second half and Kasiano and Pritchard making damaging runs like tonight, they are a very scary thought. I can't remember a year in a while where the top 4 sides have been so far separated from the rest of the competition. Having said that, you are right, Canterbury can't be ruled out. Canberra on their day can knock off anyone as well.
Renegade
Guest
They are well an truly in this competition....anyone who thought it was a two horse race, which for some reason there were quite a few of them - might want to tell the teams in position 3,4,5 and 6 about that.
jimmy recard
Guest
Im beginning to worry about the bulldogs, im a rooster through and through but something about the dogs spells darkhorse to me, they just seem to be very unpredictble which I guess is a pro and con throughout the final series.. I wouldnt be writing them off
Nathan Beuman
Roar Guru
One try from Tony Williams seemed to spark Canterbury who just switches on and tore St George to pieces. Probably best you weren't watching the last 20 minutes. Must be so frustrating for St George knowing they have the pieces for a top 8 side yet can't go on with the job. They were well on top for the first 15-20 minutes of the second half, but they just fell apart. Will be interesting to see how they go next season with the inclusion of Widdop. Feins last play options really hurt them tonight. Having said that, Dugan looked really strong. If he can stay out of trouble and St George come back fully healthy in 2014, I think they are definitely a top 8 side.
Nathan Beuman
Roar Guru
80' - St George fall asleep from the kickoff and Brown makes a run down the left hand end. Puts the kick infield for Ennis but is dived on by Quinlan. Reynolds tries to strip the ball out of his hands but it is ruled a penalty. FULLTIME St George Illawarra - 20 Canterbury Bankstown - 39
Nathan Beuman
Roar Guru
78' - TRY CANTERBURY - Tony Williams picks up another 4 pointer. Reynolds throws the ball out the back. Williams somehow puts his arm out and takes it with one hand before running in one of the easiest tries he has scored since the one he scores 20 minutes ago. 79' - CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL - St George Illawarra - 20 Canterbury Bankstown - 39
Nathan Beuman
Roar Guru
77' - Another penalty to the Dogs just 5m out from the Dragons line. They will do well to hold on here. St George Illawarra - 20 Canterbury Bankstown - 33
outlaw
Guest
Go doggies rip it up them dragons
Nathan Beuman
Roar Guru
75' - FIELD GOAL CANTERBURY - Hodkinson punches over the one point from 10m out right in front. St George players seemly not expecting it with absolutely no pressure on him. St Georges short kickoff failing to go the 10m. Canterbury with the penalty on half way. St George Illawarra - 20 Canterbury Bankstown - 33
Nathan Beuman
Roar Guru
73' - Quinlan with a nice last play option with a grubber kick trapping Inu just a metre out from his own line, however probably should have run it considering they are chasing points. A strong run from Pritchard earns his side a penalty. Dogs on the front foot again. St George Illawarra - 20 Canterbury Bankstown - 32
renaee
Guest
This has been a very emotional game !!!
Nathan Beuman
Roar Guru
72' - Canterbury are full of confidence. Ennis kicking on the 4th finds Brett Morris who makes 30m, 10 of which he ran while being held by the shorts by Tony Williams. Kasiano placed on report for a high shot across the jaw of Dugan. St George Illawarra - 20 Canterbury Bankstown - 32
Trent
Guest
Get that up ya dragons!!
Dean - Surry Hills
Guest
I tuned in and we were up by 6. 10 minutes later we're down by 12. What's going on there ???????????
Nathan Beuman
Roar Guru
69' - CANTERBURY TRY - Kasiano scores yet another try off the back of a great run fro Tony Williams. Ben Creagh had no chance of stopping him. Good ball from Inu to find Kasiano who crashes over. That run from Tony Williams was scary. That try may just have awoken him. Scary thought for the rest of the competition. 70' - CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL - St George Illawarra - 20 Canterbury Bankstown - 32
Dean - Surry Hills
Guest
Keep up the posts Nathan. You're my source of info whilst I'm in Hong Kong. Go the Dragons !
Nathan Beuman
Roar Guru
67' - Sam Kasiano loses the ball on the last play but the ball is ruled to have been stripped out by the defender. Loose carry in my opinion. St George Illawarra - 20 Canterbury Bankstown - 26