The Canterbury Bulldogs are looking to regain some form against the South Sydney Rabbitohs. Join us on The Roar from 7:50pm (AEST) for live coverage.
The Bulldogs have been in and around the top four for most of the season, but their last two weeks have been costly losses to the Broncos and Cowboys, making it likely they’ll be playing for their lives in finals Week 1.
Their usual consistent play has been replaced by stuttering, error-riddled efforts that have put the Dogs in a slump at the worst possible time of the year.
They also go into this game without Sam Kasiano, who is serving the last of his two-game suspension for kicking Corey Parker’s face in the loss to Brisbane. Kasiano’s absence has highlighted a lack of dynamism in a side that depends on grinding forward action and efficient play in the backline.
Canterbury need to pull their socks up before the finals start. Their effort was deplorable last week at their spiritual home of Belmore, even when handed the advantage of playing a Cowboys side that was coming off five days’ rest, interstate travel, and unconvincing form.
Souths have run into form but it’s all too late for season 2016. The Bunnies have won three on the trot, including impressive wins against Cronulla and the Warriors across the ditch. They also led the Storm in Melbourne in the 80th minute before going down in golden point.
Michael Maguire has spent the second half of 2016 preparing for next year and beyond, ironing out errors and coming to a line-up he’s most comfortable with.
The Bulldogs need to see more from Josh Reynolds and Moses Mbye, who a month ago were combining well but are now half a second off the pace. The whole Dogs backline has gone cold of late and they can’t afford to have another low-scoring week heading into the eliminators.
South Sydney’s renewed form has been based on stopping errors – they made 12 in a half against the Broncos a few weeks ago – and consistent play from Adam Reynolds and hooker Damien Cook. Cook’s play might not be enough to keep him at Redfern though, with strong rumours sidelined Tiger Robbie Farah is about to sign with the Bunnies.
Prediction
The Bunnies’ pride will see them get the job done against a disappointing Bulldogs.
Souths by 8.
Join us from 7:50pm (AEST) for live coverage on The Roar!
AJ Mithen
Expert
That's it from ANZ Stadium folks, thanks for joining me. Don't forget to come back to The Roar for your live sport needs - a massive day of NRL tomorrow with some high stakes games.
AJ Mithen
Expert
Good call Geoff - Hopoate saved quite a few points tonight
AJ Mithen
Expert
Cheers Zedman. Hopefully the Dogs can sort themselves out before the eliminator next week...
jamesb
Guest
Great finish to the season for the bunnies winning four in a row. Might give them impetus for next year. As for the Dogs, I think their season will only be extended by one week. They look in trouble.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Guest
I know all the talk is going to be about how badly the Dogs are playing at the moment but just wanted to say how well Will Hopoate has played for them this season. I thought he was a bit overrated and not worthy of the attention he was getting before the Dogs recruited him. But the bloke always puts his body on the line in the air and on the ground and rarely makes a mistake even when under stacks of pressure. Have also been impressed with how well Joe Burgess has played for Souths after coming across from the Roosters. Good to see someone who genuinely enjoys playing the game.
Zedman
Roar Rookie
Yeah thats fair enough, the Bunnies were all pretty good, i think its called turning up to play. Nice call AJ.
AJ Mithen
Expert
Thanks Dutski!- I like Cook, like I said in the preview it will be interesting to see how the Bunnies use him if Farah joins as predicted.
AJ Mithen
Expert
VOTES 3 - Tom Burgess: Slow start but it was his power running that set the Bunnies back on track when they started wobbling. It was his work that laid a good platform for Cook, Reynolds and Sutton to do their thing. 2 - Sam Burgess: Put in a good shift as usual but this one had a bit of extra sting to it. He was in the Bulldogs' faces all night and took particular pleasure in getting into James Graham's head. Scored a try as well just to rub it in. 1 - Damien Cook: Good industrious work from dummy half. Set up a try and put Bunnies through gaps on numerous occasions. He's a good player, Damien Cook. What do you think, folks? Note: James Graham is on report for an attempted kick, but I think he should be ok. David Klemmer may get looked at for a shoulder charge but should be ok. Personally, I'd give Klemmer three weeks for being a moron.
Danno1
Guest
The Bulldogs play like an experimental jazz band that has never met before. Individually they can all play, they have talent, but together they're awful, and very, very dull. They are courageous and they aim up, they have desire but they are aimless, and despite some ferocious encounters, without reynolds, jackson and hopoate that could have been a 40 point game tonight. They need a new tune, because they've been going backwards since 2012.
Dutski
Roar Guru
Great call AJ. Thanks mate. Cook best on ground for mine.
Joe
Roar Rookie
Great performance by the Rabbitohs and a great way to end the season. Those English players sure loved those conditions. The Dogs were well below their best, they need to be way better to be competitive in the finals series.
AJ Mithen
Expert
Unless something spectacular happens PNG, I agree.
Zedman
Roar Rookie
The Bunnies all played well, the Dogs best were Hoppa and Reynolds. Tony Williams shouldn't get a run next week, nor should the attack coaches from the Dogs. Unfortunately the reffing was below par.
Statler and Waldorf
Roar Guru
Great way to end the year for the Rabbitohs :)
AJ Mithen
Expert
FULLTIME STATS POSSESSION: Bulldogs 48%, Rabbitohs 52% LINE BREAKS: Bulldogs 1, Rabbitohs 4 PENALTIES: Bulldogs 4, Rabbitohs 8 TACKLES: Bulldogs 310, Rabbitohs 301 RUN METRES: Bulldogs 1224, Rabbitohs 1505 ERRORS: Bulldogs 10, Rabbitohs 9
PNG Broncos fan88
Guest
Tony Williams is a fraud - let in the match winner for the Cowboys with a jersey grab and does the same right in front of the posts on Gray. Panthers by 13+ next week if this jersey grabber is in the 17. Also Dogs need another option at dummy half, sets so predictable as soon as it leaves Liccha's hands. His opposite Cook was best on park and has been the reason for Rabbits resurgence past month. Liccha back to reserve grade once Cook returns to Belmore next year. Sorry Dogs fans, Panthers are shoo-ins for week 2 against this blue and white rabble.
paul
Guest
Well done doggies, sure you could have put less effort in.
AJ Mithen
Expert
FULLTIME - SOUTHS 28, BULLDOGS 10 Souths score a try on the siren with Cody Walker kicking to Joe Burgess on the wing. Two tries for the much maligned Englishman tonight. Nathan Brown (headed to Parra) took the last conversion and hit a filthy munga but that doesn't matter for Souths, who handled the Bulldogs quite easily in the end! The word you Bulldogs fans are looking for is DEBACLE - poor discipline, non-existent attack and soft defence. You can only hope that the Bulldogs were in self-preservation mode ahead of an eliminator against a red-hot Penrith next week. To say that though is disrespectful to Souths - they played a great game and capped off their season with four straight wins. The horrid run of nine straight losses has done for them in 2016, but Michael Maguire and co will be satisfied that they have put together a squad and gameplan that can get them back up the ladder next year.
Jacksyd
Guest
Where are the roosters when you need them?
Zedman
Roar Rookie
Spot on AJ lol.