It’s Sudden Death Sunday as last year’s grand finalists the Canterbury Bulldogs take on a Newcastle Knights side in their first finals campaign under Wayne Bennett. Join us for live scores and commentary from 4pm AEST.
The Bulldogs may have finished slightly higher on the ladder, but the Knights have had the wood over them so far in 2013.
A 44-8 drubbing at Newcastle was followed by an 18-12 victory at the Bulldogs’ home away from home, Ben Barba’s hometown of Mackay.
Comparing this year’s Mackay fixture with last year’s – when Barba turned on one of the most memorable performances of the past decade – is actually quite an apt way to contrast the Bulldogs’ past two seasons.
They built their 2012 success on a winning attacking formula: runaround plays from dummy half, big men passing at the line and Barba injecting himself into backline movements to create havoc for the defence.
It might be Barba’s well-documented off-field dramas, it might be that the Storm laid the blueprint for defending them in last year’s grand final, but the Bulldogs just haven’t had the same bite in 2013.
They’ll need to rediscover some of that bite if they’re to beat a much-improved Knights side today.
The Novocastrians are coming off a 54-6 demolition of Parramatta last week – not an unprecedented feat, admittedly, but still enough to show they mean business at the back end of the season.
Jarrod Mullen has been in excellent form all year, Darius Boyd is hitting the kind that saw him win a Clive Churchill Medal in 2010, and their forward pack has more big-game experience than any in the competition.
Add a backline that is one of the most potent (58 tries between them) and hard-working (each averaging well over 100 metres per match) in the competition and it’s clear that the Knights shouldn’t be underestimated.
The Bulldogs certainly aren’t short of X-factors, though. From Barba to Josh Morris to Tony Williams, if one or, heaven forbid, more of these blokes fire, the Bulldogs can beat any team.
And with Barba set to head to the Broncos under controversial circumstances next season, this is his opportunity to give Bulldogs fans something more than a sour taste to remember him by.
Still, I don’t quite understand how the Bulldogs are $1.50 favourites – I think the Knights look the stronger side, and I’m tipping them to win by 8.
Can the Bulldogs rediscover some of their 2012 bite and make an impact in the first week of the finals, or will the Knights march on?
Join us for live scores and commentary from 4pm AEST, and be sure to let us know your thoughts if you’re following along.
Roarsome
Guest
Based on the widely acclaimed poor standard of officialdom this weekend against the Storm and the Cowboys, I think the concerns I have for Melbourne against Newcastle are justified. The relationship between Channel 9, the NRL and Newcastle is clear and has an impact on the quality of broadcast and possibly the result, though I hope not. I wasn't trying to be funny in this instance though I do believe in times of economic hardship, comedy has a significant role is public morale. May the best team win.
Doug Graves
Guest
Bulldogs have been rubbish this season. They've won a grand total of 4 games against top 8 sides. Even with the NRL gifting them an easy draw with 2 games against the dregs of Parra & Dragons they still only just scraped into the finals. Can't see this bunch doing much better next season after the pantsing they copped today.
Knight Vision
Guest
yes they will
Knight Vision
Guest
I don't know why in times of economic hardship you would try to be a comedian, and not a very good one at that.
The eye
Guest
Toovey did a pretty good job last year with t-rex but Des hasn't been able to reach him at all,I felt Frankie P. was under used today as well and Eastwood has looked too fat all year..Dessie usually has a very visible game plan,didnt notice one today and josh reynolds is much more aggressively off the line than he was against the knights as well..I expected a big turn around from their broncos loss,but they had nothing.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
The difference between last year and this is that last year the Bulldogs were patient enough to grind out teams. I was constantly amazed at how they absorbed whatever punishment their opposition gave them only to see them throw it back in their faces during the second half. This year was completely different though. In my view, they just weren't patient enough.
Wozza
Guest
Didnt the roosters beat manly????
Meesta Cool
Guest
almost as good as Birdy's effort last week,, This is becoming much too common in our game and shouild be rewarded by time in the bin.....
Xnowmann
Guest
You can have him...useless, good luck with the injury..lols.
Adam
Roar Guru
FULL-TIME: Bulldogs 6 - Knights 22 The Knights were the better side tonight and deserved victors, and they'll march on to week two of the finals to take on the Storm in Melbourne. Huge games from Beau Scott, Jeremy Smith and Jarrod Mullen. There's certainly been something missing from the Bulldogs' game this year and it came into sharp focus tonight. Not a nice way to see Barba end his time with the Bulldogs as he was carried from the field in agony with a high ankle injury.
Roarsome
Guest
I feel for Melbourne. Newcastle are Nine and NRL favourites.
Adam
Roar Guru
FULL-TIME: Bulldogs 6 - Knights 22
Jay C
Guest
Oh, well thats good then. Sorry Knights.
Adam
Roar Guru
Live score: Bulldogs 6 - Knights 22 Ray Hadley squeezes in his obligatory "base over apex" comment in the dying stages of the game. I swear I've never heard a call from Hadley where he didn't say "base over apex" at least once.
Jayden
Guest
Odds of another repeat Newcastle vs Melbourner game? Knights lead for 70 before storm steal it right at the end
Adam
Roar Guru
Live score: Bulldogs 6 - Knights 22 80' Buderus toes a loose ball into the in-goal area and Morris knocks it dead for a dropout. Clock is counting down but we'll still get a few more plays.
des right hand
Guest
Haha bulldogs just embarrassing now and jay c I think the game will be played in Melbourne... For some reason!
Roarsome
Guest
I just saw Barba drunk in public! Quick, tear up his contract.
Renegade
Guest
The game will be played in Melbourne on Saturday night.
Adam
Roar Guru
Yeah I think Melbourne get the home game.