After some diabolical handling performances, the Canterbury Bulldogs and the Penrith Panthers will be desperate to not lose grip on the rest of the competition as both teams square off at ANZ Stadium in Homebush. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7:10pm (AEST).
Last year’s grand finalists, Canterbury have had a stuttering premiership campaign so far and have shown only glimpses of the form that saw them make it all the way to the last day. Penrith have also been cursed with injuries and have struggled to find any consistency and cohesion with key players missing for large chunks of the season.
Bulldogs coach, Des Hasler, has taken the most unusual decision to rest his star Origin players for this match. It is a gamble that may not pay off as any team without the likes of Brett and Josh Morris, Josh Jackson, David Klemmer and Trent Hodkinson is likely to struggle. Add to that the extended loss of prop and captain, James Graham, and it is easy to see the Dogs struggling.
Penrith are without their current (or future, take your pick) superstar in Matt Moylan whose absence was keenly felt in the Panthers’ embarrassing loss last week to Melbourne. Josh Mansour, whose surname means ‘the victorious’ is also missing and with two of Penrith’s top strike weapons out, points, which have been hard to come by for the Panthers, may still be on a premium.
Canterbury’s saving grace – of which there are a few – is their monster, ball-playing forward pack. Coupled with the spark, energy and creativity of halves combination Reynolds and Mbye, NRL top tryscorer Curtis Rona is sure get some ball.
Penrith will finally welcome back their much lauded halves combination of Soward and Wallace. Soward’s kicking game and his general leadership on the field will be sorely needed if the Panthers are to get their season back on track. With both halves fit and firing, and a roving Segeyaro exploiting the Bulldogs’ tiring big men, Penrith have every right to feel confident of an upset victory.
The last time these two teams clashed, Penrith were on the verge of annihilating Canterbury before everyone’s favourite Origin five-eighth, Josh Reynolds, sparked his team to an almost victory. The match prior was the 2014 preliminary final and both teams put up a classic that the Bulldogs narrowly won.
Prediction
Recent history between the two clubs suggests a tight and exciting game. Recent form, however, leaves your guess as being as good as mine. If the Bulldogs respect the ball, they will win. Similarly, if Penrith respect the ball, they too will win. Since there can only be one winner, I’ll tip the Bulldogs because the combination of Reynolds and Mbye excites me more than the combination of Soward and Wallace.
Canterbury by 14
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Well sure, if the referee felt Reynolds was trying to push Soward. Personally I don't think he was but I've got no problem with the referee thinking he was. And yes, consistency would be good. That's for sure.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
It was a professional foul in a potential scoring situation, that's what the bin is for, so yes I thought it was sin binnable. I'd hope that ruling is the same for other less notorious players.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
You thought it was sin binnable? I understand why it was given and fair enough. The ref can only go by what he could see. But in hindsight, I don't think Reynolds was hard done by though I suspect his reputation was preceding him in this case. What was telling was how Penrith, despite injecting Segeyaro into the match once Reynolds was off, failed to take advantage of the sin bin. Could be a tougher year ahead for Penrith based on their last two matches.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Having now seen the incident, I'm not unhappy with the Reynolds sin bin, I just wish it was consistently ruled as such.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Oh, in that match, for sure. I just wonder what would have happened had Penrith played with a bit more composure and built themselves into the match. It was almost as if they didn't have the belief to play it patient and wait on Bulldogs mistakes. Still, if the Bulldogs ever get on the momentum wagon come finals time, they will be hard to stop.
PAUL BOSKEY
Guest
Bulldogs still the best team
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Not if you're a Panthers fan. Geez, you've got to feel sorry for them. The goddess of fortune has abandoned the foot of the mountains this season.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
I thought the referee did a very good job. There was a lot of spite early on in this match and he gave a good talking to to the captains. He explained his decisions well and I don't think anyone, even the greatest of conspiracy theorists, could imagine that the ref was a factor in this game. Did you note how polite Tolman was to the referee after the Reynolds binning? SIr this, and sir that... how cute. lol
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
FULL TIME REPORT Another funky performance by Penrith leaves their fans wondering what they have done to deserve this season. Canterbury, despite the odd scare by a hopelessly unfocused Penrith, were always in control of this match. In fact, just like Melbourne last week, the Bulldogs only did what was necessary to win this game. There was a lot of feeling and spite in this match, particularly early on. The Panthers had chances to run the Bulldogs monster pack around the park but somewhere along the way they forgot about patience and ball control. Cleary's plan to use Segeyaro off the bench as a spark to burn a possible wilting Bulldogs forward pack didn't really work out as not only didn't the Panthers control their use of the ball but Segeyaro added himself to his club's already horrendous injury roster. Bryce Cartwright did well with some individual play to score his try but otherwise, he seemed a lone light in the winter darkness beneath the mountains for the Penrith team. Soward's return didn't live up to it's potential and Cleary's already grey head must certainly be about to fall off soon at his player's lack of cohesion. The Bulldogs, on the other hand, played according to their opponents. Their defence wasn't really all that tested as their sliding defence pretty much handled the sideways attacking play that Penrith continually offered. They worked well to snuff out the Panthers' ad lib plays but at times, and with a more cohesive team, may have paid more of a price. Corey Thompson did exceptionally well to deny his opposite number Blake twice . Josh Reynolds played well with some great energy leading to some good attacking plays. Mbye did well too though both player's last tackle kicks could have been better. Klemmer, Jackson and Morris backed up very well. In my preview I mentioned that the Bulldogs halves seemed more exciting to me than the Penrith halves and I think that this match confirmed that. Wallace and Soward couldn't conjure up anything and the lack of Moylan continues to prove to be a huge, huge loss for Penrith. I'm not sure if Penrith can salvage this season anymore but at the same time, I'm not yet convinced the Bulldogs can make it two grand final appearances in a row. In anycase, thanks for spending part of your Saturday evening with me here at The Roar. I hope you enjoyed the call. FINAL SCORE Canterbury 24 Penrith 12 My Man of the Match goes to Sam Kasiano whom I felt was everywhere. especially at the back end of the game but I've just heard that Klemmer may have received the official points. Can't really argue with that one. They ought to nickname him 'Psycho'...
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
No, the bin wasn't justified but it was understandable. The problem was that the replay showed it wasn't justified but such is life. Lafai has been fine. The kicks weren't really a threat, I thought. Perret was a bit lethargic back there but Lafai didn't seem tested in that way.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
I'm a Glebe supporter guvna.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
80' Penrith have won a scrum and take the ball out to the 30m line before it is spread wide. Penrith make some excellent ground before it all collapses. This is exactly how the match panned out for them last week against Melbourne. It's taken them 75 minutes to work out something positive against their opposition and well, here you go, the siren sounds and that's that. Bulldogs easy enough winners. Bulldogs 24 Panthers 12
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
77' Sorry folks. family emergency drew me out of my cell but as I return, the scoreline sees Penrith a try closer as Canterbury hit it out towards the halfway line. Not sure what happened while I was away but I can only suspect a prayer to the goddess of fortune has worked for Penrith. Bulldogs 24 Panthers 12
The eye
Guest
Tim Browne's having a good year,and Shaun Lee has rep player written all over him..
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
68' A penalty to the Panthers sees them attack from the 20m line inside Bulldogs territory. They spread it out wide with a Hail Mary pass and Thompson once again forces Blake out into touch. Good defence. Poor attack. Bulldogs 24 Panthers 6
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
67' Josh Jackson just made a nice little break with a good angled run and the Dogs put the pressure on with a lovely Mbye kick but Reynolds can't hold the ball for a try. Penrith with the ball on the halfway line and their attack... oh man, the ball goes nowhere 20m behind their line. It looks as if Zelezniak is down injured and the word is the Segeyaro will be out for up to 3 weeks. Poor Penrith have offended the gods Roarers. Not enough heifers on the alter me thinks. Bulldogs 24 Panthers 6
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
66' Canterbury doing well with some nice passing but the last play kick goes awry (again, by the way) and the Panthers almost get a break with the bounce of the ball but it just evades them and any possible long distance try disappears right before their eyes. Poor Penrith... Bulldogs 24 Panthers 6
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
64' Wallace taken well by Kasiano and the last play kick sees the Penrith players offside in front of their kicker. Any pressure that was possible is non-existent. Penrith, are you allright tonight? Bulldogs 24 Panthers 6
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
62' Soward boots up the ball for a last play bomb but easily diffused and Canterbury play it one out before spreading it to the left. A kick sees Penrith on the 30m line with Dogs everywhere. Bulldogs 24 Panthers 6
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
61' Pressure on Penrith relieved with a poor last play kick and Penrith spread the ball wide early, again. Bulldogs 24 Panthers 6