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.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of the NRL from 6pm (AEDT) and don’t forget to add a comment in the section below.
Oingo Boingo
Guest
Beautiful commentary DP , I look forward to you dribbling the same kind of gibberish all the way to a grand final appearance .
DP Schaefer
Guest
Not rating the Roosters as comp leaders or winners this year, had to back that. Tedesco bounced back to some form, but still convinced Dogs could and should have won this. They had the forwards. What this game has shown is that Roosters are still relying too much on a couple of players and can be contained. Top 8 yes, not top 4 or premiers. After that effort, Dogs are in line for the spoon with Rabbits. Very disappointing, Tigers with lesser team had a better showing.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thanks for joining me on The Roar this evening for our live coverage of the 2018 NRL season as the Sydney Roosters got the better of the Canterbury Bulldogs in Sydney. Hopefully you enjoyed the call. Right now, it's time to flick it over and join Mr X as he brings us live coverage of the Broncos and Cowboys in the Queensland derby. I'll be back with more NRL in Round 3. Bye for now.
Joe
Roar Rookie
Two 18 point losses for the Dogs, not a good start to the season but they've played the top two teams from last season. Roosters defense was very good and their forwards turned up and matched the Dogs.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thoughts on the game Roarers?
Scott Pryde
Expert
FULLTIME Canterbury will have a few plays. Jackson brings it forward, then they shift left to Faitala-Mariner who offloads with a floating ball back to Klemmer who is rounded up with the siren going in the background. That'll do us at Allianz Stadium. The Roosters simply too good this evening, running away from the Bulldogs with a big win. They were put under pressure at times, but handled it all in their stride with Cooper Cronk, Luke Keary and James Tedesco starting to work on that combination nicely. Their defence was strong and after last week's poor loss to the Wests Tigers, they will be extremely happy to see their progress throughout the week. For Canterbury, it's one step back tonight. They were solid enough during Round 1 against the Storm, but showed against a good side this evening that they have a lot to work on. Their attack lacked anything special, their defence not a great deal better and while they hung in the game, they never looked like they were going to win against one of the premiership contenders. Sydney Roosters 30 Canterbury Bulldogs 12
Scott Pryde
Expert
80' - Penalty for the Bulldogs now. Boyd Cordner has come up with a poor play the ball just over halfway about 30 seconds from fulltime. Roosters 30 Bulldogs 12
Zedman
Roar Rookie
Excellent call Scotty, that lead up to the try stuff was one of your best.
Scott Pryde
Expert
79' - Not much drama left in this one. The Bulldogs approach halfway, then it's a long kick down to Mitchell who brings it back with just over a minute remaining. Roosters 30 Bulldogs 12
Scott Pryde
Expert
78' - Hargreaves, Ferguson and then Cordner have the Roosters back over halfway in just three plays. Hargreaves the next as he makes another 15 metres, before Napa puts an arm up and fends through the line. Kick up on the last, the Roosters come up with it and it'll be a handover. Roosters 30 Bulldogs 12
Scott Pryde
Expert
CONVERSION MISSED by LATRELL MITCHELL Roosters 30 Bulldogs 12
Scott Pryde
Expert
76' - TRY ROOSTERS, RYAN MATTERSON Hargreaves just ambles it forward from the restart and is smashed by Elliott. Roosters now with a few short balls, but nothing much happening before Friend goes to Napa who offloads back to Friend, then Tedesco steps but can't get through on the fourth. Back to the left now and that was all a little bit too easy. Keary takes on the line, holds the ball up to open the defensive up like it was a training drill and finds Matterson on the short ball who crashes over. Roosters 30 Bulldogs 12
Scott Pryde
Expert
74' - Short kick-off from Mbye, but that didn't have the height on it. Cordner comes up with it and the Roosters are back over halfway in three. They now go right through Manu who is taken to ground by Morris and Faitala-Mariner. Cronk, Keary and Tedesco all part of a sweep back to the left, but Mitchell is tackled on the end of it. Now a penalty for the Roosters as well. Roosters 26 Bulldogs 12
Scott Pryde
Expert
73' - PENALTY GOAL ROOSTERS, LATRELL MITCHELL Surely the Roosters are home now. Roosters 26 Bulldogs 12
Scott Pryde
Expert
72' - The Roosters will take the shot at penalty goal in an attempt to put this game beyond doubt. Roosters 24 Bulldogs 12
Scott Pryde
Expert
71' - And now it's a penalty for the Roosters. Roosters 24 Bulldogs 12
Scott Pryde
Expert
71' - Canterbury work it right off the scrum this time, Foran going to Jackson who is wrestled to ground. Klemmer goes to Fualaolo now and it's a one-on-one strip! Taukeiaho has got it, puts the foot down and he is almost back to halfway. Surely that's the final nail in the coffin for Canterbury. Roosters 24 Bulldogs 12
Scott Pryde
Expert
70' - Canterbury quickly play on through Marshall-King, before they run it right. Now a ball is deflected by the Roosters and everyone (referee included!) has hit the ground. Back in for a scrum and the Bulldogs have the feed with ten to go, still 12 points down. Roosters 24 Bulldogs 12
Scott Pryde
Expert
70' - The Bulldogs work it left off the scrum through Fualalo, then it's Faitala-Marinter into the middle and here is a penalty. Roosters 24 Bulldogs 12
Scott Pryde
Expert
69' - Woah. Ferguson has been superb tonight, but he has dropped it cold off the scrum! Roosters 24 Bulldogs 12