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Roosters vs Bulldogs: Match preview

Aaron Woods. (Photo by Will Russell/Getty Images)
Roar Rookie
12th March, 2018
10

Following a humbling 10-8 loss at the hands of Wests Tigers, the Sydney Roosters will be looking for a quick turnaround against a Canterbury side out to avenge their 36-18 loss to reigning premiers the Melbourne Storm.

The Bondi club were devoid of ideas, looking almost afraid to shift the ball. Star recruits James Tedesco and Cooper Cronk will once again have all the attention as the Roosters attempt to get their early season form on track.

The Bulldogs have new recruits of their own – most notably Kieran Foran and Australian and New South Wales prop Aaron Woods. While having lost, the Dogs will take plenty of confidence into Friday night’s match.

The Bulldogs have lost five of their past seven encounters against Trent Robinson’s men, including both of their 2017 fixtures.

Canterbury pride themselves on physicality, and this week will be no different. David Klemmer and Aaron Woods will face stiff competition coming up against Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Sio Siua Taukeiaho. The Roosters’ pair must lay a platform for the likes of Cronk and Luke Keary to really influence the game. The same can be said for the Bulldogs, with a strong effort through the middle required to provide opportunity for Foran and new fullback Moses Mbye.

The Tricolours’ disappointing loss to the Tigers may be a blessing in disguise, helping to lower expectations of a club tipped to be vying for the title. The combinations will take time, but expect the Roosters to improve by Friday. With the attacking prowess of Latrell Mitchell and Tedesco, and the experience of Cronk, they have the potential to steamroll any opposition.

As for the Bulldogs, they have finally got themselves a halves pairing that can no longer be described as ‘makeshift’. Matt Frawley and Kieran Foran will have plenty of influence on the game, which, if compounded by solid go-forward by the likes of Klemmer, Woods, and Josh Jackson, could see them home.

Prediction
Roosters by 8.

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