Expert
The Sydney Roosters will aim to start living up to their pre-season favouritism when they play host the Canterbury Bulldogs, who are returning from a cross-country road trip. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 6pm (AEDT).
Trent Robinson’s Roosters started the season in horrific fashion last week. Coming up against a Wests Tigers team without new recruit, half Josh Reynolds, they should have won and won comfortably.
Instead, they looked like a team who are at least a month away from hitting their straps. Cooper Cronk was there, but the structure in attack seemed stunted and unclear.
Dropped ball marred the Roosters game plan and while there is talent in the system, the first round loss to a spirited Tigers side defensively was a major concern.
Alongside Cronk this week will be Luke Keary. He had a major calming influence on the Roosters at times last year, but coming off a long term injury, it’s unclear exactly what sort of form he will be in. If he can form a similar combination to what he had with Mitchell Pearce during 2017, it could transform the Roosters.
All signs point to him taking some time to get into things though. If the forward pack can make life easier on him though, it would be a huge advantage for the tri-colours.
The forwards dominating is far from a foregone conclusion though. Canterbury held their own for the most part against defending premiers Melbourne last week, despite the final scoreline blowing out to 36-18.
With David Klemmer, Aaron Woods, Josh Jackson and the quickly improving Danny Fualalo working up the middle, they are a genuine chance to keep themselves in the game. Put Cronk and Keary under pressure and the Bulldogs, with Michael Lichaa and Moses Mbye showing some positive signs last week will be right in this game.
Prediction
The Roosters, on paper at least, should win this. Footy isn’t played on paper though and they are going to take plenty of time to gel. The Bulldogs were reasonably impressive last week and I reckon they steal an upset here.
Bulldogs by 2.
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