Des Hasler has kept his Bulldogs largely undercover in the preseason with limited exposure and commitment to the Nines, but with a good trial win 20-10 against the Storm in Brisbane.
The Broncos in contrast have been on full display this preseason. In the Nines, the Broncs were led by Ben Barba all the way to the grand final of the Nines, where they were defeated by the Cowboys.
New recruit Barba missed the final, but showed enough throughout the tournament to suggest he hasn’t lost the form that won him the Dally M.
Then came their disastrous final trial against the Warriors when they were comprehensively defeated 48-4. The Broncos had also previously trialled against to the Cowboys losing 32-8.
As for this clash, the teams met twice last year with the Bulldogs wining 24-10 at home but going down 16-11 away.
Many including the bookies have the Bulldogs firm favourites to win well against a Broncos side which has also been predicted by many to struggle this season.
But although the Bulldogs have named a strong side, they are missing regular first graders forward Sam Kasiano with a foot injury (expected back in Round 4), Krisnan Inu with a broken jaw (expected back in Round 6), Greg Eastwood with a foot injury (expected back in Round 3) and Tim Lafai with a broken hand (expected back in Round 2).
Bulldogs five-eighth Josh Reynolds will start after an off-season shoulder reconstruction despite not figuring in any trial matches. Sam Perrett is Ben Barba’s replacement at fullback.
So if the Broncos and Ben Barba are going to beat the Bulldogs in 2014, Friday night is the night.
With Ben Barba’s return to the Bulldogs home ground as Broncos fullback bound to get the crowd jeering, the Broncos are reported to have devised a plan to relieve the pressure on Barba and give him some room to move.
Kiwi international Josh Hoffman has been named at five-eighth alongside Ben Hunt in the halves.
With an untried halves pairing to start the season, the Broncos coach will also be giving his international backrow greater playmaking responsibilities with a view to breaking the Bulldogs defence.
The Bulldogs are expected to blood Moses Mbye an exciting prospect who has been named on an extended bench.
Despite Ben Barba for the Broncos, it will be the battle of the forwards that will decide the game. I am going for the Bulldogs, despite a number of missing players, to win comfortably.
Fri 7 March Bulldogs v Broncos ANZ Stadium Nine 8:05PM
Teams
Broncos
1 Ben Barba 2 Daniel Vidot 3 Jack Reed 4 Dale Copley 5 Lachlan Maranta 6 Josh Hoffman 7 Ben Hunt 8 Josh McGuire 9 Andrew McCullough 10 Corey Parker (c) 11 Alex Glenn 12 Sam Thaiday 13 Matt Gillett Interchange 14 Ben Hannant 15 Martin Kennedy 16 Todd Lowrie 17 Jarrod Wallace 18 David Hala
Bulldogs
1 Sam Perrett 2 Mitch Brown 3 Josh Morris 4 Chase Stanley 5 Corey Thompson 6 Josh Reynolds 7 Trent Hodkinson 8 Aiden Tolman 9 Michael Ennis (c) 10 James Graham 11 Frank Pritchard (c) 12 Tony Williams 13 Dale Finucane Interchange 14 Josh Jackson 15 Pat O’Hanlon 16 Tim Browne 17 David Klemmer 19 Moses Mbye
scott
Guest
Nice. Can you predict the broncos yo get flogged every week? We need al the help we can get.
jimmy recard
Guest
Im a doggies fan and ill say this. Yeah the broncos are down on troops and so are we, but we have a habit of losing to teams who we are meant to beat... I either see barba doing a sonny bill and mason and destroying us, or having a real off game. either way will be a tough one, dogs by 10
sportfreak
Guest
What's the weather looking like Homebush way?
Jon
Guest
If Corey Thompson finds space there's no catching him
Dogs Of War
Roar Guru
Anyway, for those thinking of going (and not sure why we don't advertise some of the stuff the Bulldogs put on gameday). "We’ve got an exciting night full of entertainment both on and off the field this Friday as we launch our 2014 Premiership campaign. Out on the concourse we’ve got the Community Team from Channel 9 where you can pick up some goodies and get your photo taken at the Channel 9 social media kiosk. Bulldogs players will also be visiting the area during the evening. Our Round 1 Sponsor Oliver Brown want to reward you with giveaways at all of their Sydney stores – open to midnight after the game. With Bulldogs player cards being being handed out, and if the player scores a try you get the discount on the back. Also get your hands on limited edition Bulldogs caricature cards. At half time of our NRL game 2 x lucky Bulldogs members will be racing in our Oliver Brown Chocolate Zorbs for the chance to win a spot in the Oliver Brown Race & Reward Grand Final race + vouchers for Oliver Brown. Who needs new Shades? Get to the game, Get out of your seat and make some noise for your chance to be spotted by our Police Eyewear cam and win a pair of new sunglasses from Police Eyewear Bulldogs Members, log into the Wi-Fi with your Member number to access your exclusive Member only content. We’ve got a surprise launch happening prior to kick off of NRL – make sure you’re in your seat by 7.30pm so you don’t miss it! Trust us - you don't want to miss this!" Not sure what other clubs do, but I think the Bulldogs make gameday pretty damn good. This is just the extra stuff they put on this week, it doesn't include the stuff they do every week, with crowd participation (The old kiss cam/dancing cam), jersey giveaways, bull riding and other entertainment for kids etc.
Renegade
Guest
LOL that's gold!
Dogs Of War
Roar Guru
Bulldogs have decided to put a pokie machine on the sideline as a ploy to distract Ben Barba.
Benedict Arnold
Guest
Broncos are a joke. Good luck turning it around with zero spine.
Dogs Of War
Roar Guru
Bulldogs by 34.
Tommygun
Guest
What's Anthony griffin doing? Hoffman at 5/8! Parker at prop! Copley in the centres!!! Good f...ing luck. Oh and Ben hunt. -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.