Roar Guru
The Canterbury Bulldogs are 0-2 while the Penrith Panthers have opened the season with a pair of comeback wins. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog as these to face off from 6pm (AEDT).
Penrith have had the wood over their Western Sydney rivals in recent times, earning back to back victories over the Bulldogs in 2017 and in the 2016 finals series.
A young team, spearheaded by one of the brighter talents in the competition, Nathan Cleary, the Mountain Men have already proven that they will be no rollovers after impressive wins over both Parramatta Eels and South Sydney Rabbitohs.
With an experienced premiership winner in James Maloney partnering young Cleary, the Panthers are aiming to challenge the competition’s best.
As for the Dogs, it’s a case of new season, new coach. Dean Pay was expected to bring the old ‘Dogs of War’ mentality back to the club, but after the opening games, it seems like a tougher job than expected.
Sure, Canterbury played 2018’s two favourite clubs, the Storm and Roosters, but Melbourne were without Billy Slater, and the Dogs have conceded 66 points in total – more is expected from a club that prides itself on defence.
All eyes will be on Benji Marshall’s younger brother, Jeremy Marshall-King, who has been called up by Pay to partner Kieran Foran in the halves. Foran has been a good addition to the Bulldogs’ roster, but if his defence continues to leak points, all his good work will go to waste.
Prediction
It’s too hard to look past what the Panthers have done over the first couple rounds. Not only were their comebacks impressive, but on both ocassions they were also up against it in scorching heat.
This team is fit and young, with a sprinkle of experience in positions that matter.
Panthers by 14
Join The Roar for all the action from 6pm (AEDT).