The Queen’s Birthday holiday will see a cracking game of rugby league as the Canterbury Bulldogs host the red-hot St George Illawarra Dragons. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 4pm.
The Bulldogs have been bitten hard by the injury bug in 2015, but they’ve still got the talent to roll with any side in the competition.
After a bye last weekend they won one of the games of the season so far in Round 11, beating the Raiders 41-34 in a classic.
Despite their struggles this season, the Bulldogs sit in ninth on the ladder, and are still a realistic chance to play finals in 2015.
The Dragons’ start to the season was terrible, but they’ve won eight of their past nine games to jump to the top of the NRL ladder. Paul McGregor has built a fantastic defence, one that currently ranks first in the NRL. They had a massive 42-6 win over the Sharks last weekend, a game that could have been a shut-out if not for a refereeing error in the 10th minute of the game.
Despite their current run of form, many still don’t view the Dragons as a legitimate threat this year, and they start as underdogs in this match.
The Bulldogs have made a plethora of changes, with many of their State of Origin stars returning for duty. Trent Hodkinson comes into the side, pushing Moses Mbye out to the centres. Curtis Rona shifts to the wing, dropping Tyrone Phillips back to the NSW Cup. James Graham returns from injury, forcing Sam Kasiano back to the bench at the expense of Antonio Kaufusi. Josh Morris forces Tim Lafai out of the squad, while Josh Jackson’s return sees Danny Fualalo drop back to reserves.
The Dragons have made only one change for this week, with Joel Thompson returning to the side from his hamstring injury. Will Matthews drops back to the bench to make room for Thompson, while Jake Marketo becomes 18th man.
Prediction
The Bulldogs are starting favourites in this game, but the bookies may lose a bit of money on this one. The Dragons have shown enough in attack in recent weeks to suggest that scoring points is becoming less of an issue.
Dragons by 12
Armchair Player
Guest
Yeah I think Reynolds should be picked as utility player for origin after that performance. He should have never missed Origin 1. Ridiculous NSW selectors again. Took them 8 years to get their selections right then they stuffed it again.
Jason Hosken
Guest
Thanks for the tip-off JB. Tears of joy!
Joe
Roar Rookie
Moses Mybe was outstanding. Great move by the coach to bring in Josh Reynolds at the end. Good win by the Dogs, thought they were out on their feet during the Dragons run but good come back in the end.
JayBob
Guest
Lol, this thread is hilarious. EagleJack called it though. I will be the only one to give him credit it seems.
Jim
Guest
Are the refs allowed to check issues like that with upstairs (the Nabuli dropped ball)? It wasn't the reason the Dragons lost (It did go to their heads though and they lost the plot), but surely a call like that should be checked, especially when it wasn't a call by the touchy and the ref that made the call was behind the play (Have no idea how he could have judged whether he dropped it or not being quite a distance from it). Dragons have no one but themselves to blame for the late meltdown - but saying that, its frustrating to see how many errors refs make week in week out. I know they are only human, but surely we can do better.
Armchair Player
Guest
When the ref gives you an avalanche of possession then of course they are going to win the match. They looked for anything to strip the possession back off the dragons. Thats ok you got away with it for today. I hope it doesn't cost the origin with your Peer pressure decisions making if it's a decider. Grow some balls Gerard Sutton and make the right call and stop sucking up to the Bulldog supporters just so you won't get another bottle thrown at your head again!!!
Renegade
Roar Guru
Yep... I just don't remember dragons fans claiming injustice when they recieved their fair share of luck including a 12 point turnaround against the raiders a couple weeks ago. Referees are human and make mistakes in every sport.... Unfortunately rugby league has a culture where coaches, fans and players just blame the ref. The referee wasn't the one that Sam Kasiano was running around, through and over the top of....
Armchair Player
Guest
I couldn't agree more John. That Ref certainly let the crowd, atmosphere and his ego get in the way of his decision making. Saying that it was momentum when Dugan was pushed into the ingoal area. What a load of rubbish!! Check the rule book you moron, both legs were up in the air which a Held call should of happened. Otherwise it should of been a penalty.
danwain
Guest
Not suggesting any conspiracy, it's just a poor decision, plain and simple.
Renegade
Roar Guru
Do the dragons hand out tin foil hats with each Red V membership?
john badseed
Guest
put your tin foil hat away Scott. There never has been refereeing decisions that have cost a team a game (let alone a GF in '13). Just get on with loving the game. Refs sometimes make a small error and their decisions never come from the NRL or the stakeholders. The Game's bigger than any team (bar the rorters). And NQ will win the comp this year simply because they deserve to, no other reason, not even to help the ratings.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Prefer not to bring that one up as a Bulldogs supporter.. really would prefer to move on from that cluster****.
john
Guest
Yep The refs get it wrong again and change the game result. The coaches can't say it but I can. That ref tonight was hopeless. Obviously hoping to get the next origin and let's hope he doesn't. Referring everything to video ref. What a bloody joke. Don't worry DRAGONS you should have won that game. It was decided by once again pathetic on field referee decisions. If he gets the next Origin match the NRL should hang their heads in shame.
soreloser
Guest
I thought that your going to say the Rabbitohs game in round 4, it was the same boofhead who reefed that game also. I think that Sutton is just not a referee that should referee big games like these, he is too indecisive, always goes to the video ref or doesn't (as was proven here) and just cannot handle the pressure that well in big games, he proved that in the disastrous round 4 game between the Dogs and the Rabbitohs. And Sutton is supposed to be 'THE BEST THAT THE NRL HAS'???? What a laugh!!!
Alex L
Roar Rookie
While true, Souths had about 4-5 really questionable calls go their way, including one where Keary blatantly dropped the ball in goal and was ruled to have caught it.
Muzz
Guest
Agree 100% plus the Dragons are on 18 points so it doesn't really matter. Bulldogs have moved from 12th to 7th. Des will be happy.
danwain
Guest
I think we were just not good enough against Souths, plenty of chances to put that game away
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Dragons have caught it twice this year -- against both last years grand finalists, interestingly enough.
danwain
Guest
Yeah it's true. Now I have settled down somewhat I realise this must have just been the dragons turn to be on the receiving end, it all evens out at the end of the year.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Bulldogs have been stitched up by the refs a few times in the last 12 months too -- the Penrith game for instance.