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).
JOHNYBULLDOG
Guest
I’ll be on cloud 9 all week mate-cheers Baz ?
The Barry
Roar Guru
We’re off the mark.. Great first half from the Dogs. Mbye was sensational throughout. Really good forwards battle through the game. The bagging of Woods really is low brow, follow the leader stuff. Klemmer was really good. Jackson is a beast. He snuffs out so many opportunities. Dogs right edge defence is a concern. Half a break and it’s try time no matter where they are. Seems like pretty slow lateral movement between Foran and Hopoate in particular. I was really concerned from about 15 out from full time that the dogs were kicking out at the end of every set. It’s good now and then when your forwards need a breather but every set is silly. You’ve still got to try and score points, or at least give the impression that’s what you’re trying to do. You can’t score when you blast it over the sideline from 25 out but you can from a bomb or cross field kick. Dogs held their eight point lead this time but who knows what happens next time. Good to get off the mark. Some real positives. Some areas of improvement. Two points is two points. JOHNYBULLDOG - great stuff mate. I hope you really enjoyed the win. It’s great to share it with true fans and not some bludger that’s death riding the dogs at every opportunity and actually cheering the opposition.
The Barry
Roar Guru
And then...?
The Barry
Roar Guru
I finish work at 5. To get home from work, collect my kids and be in a seat at Homebush by 6pm, I need to leave work no later than 3pm. I’m lucky to do that once per year let alone 3-4 times a footy season. It’s unfeasible. This time slot has nothing to do with attendances, it’s about tv viewers. To be honest I don’t think it’s does much for them either. Serious question, are you able to get to many 6pm Friday kick offs are you able to get to per season?
RM
Guest
Good ticker from the Bulldogs tonight, coming off two losses. A third in a row would have spelled real trouble but they got a good win. Not sure what is going on with the Panthers. How can a team be so poor in the first half and then come to life in the second, three games in a row?
JOHNYBULLDOG
Guest
Farrk me just enjoy Stu we won mate I know u love the boys but your comments make me wonder we’re gunna make the top eight mate u wait & see have a good night
JOHNYBULLDOG
Guest
Cheers Nat
Stuart Thomas
Expert
That was a funny game....might be the only one we win for the season.
Curtis Figon
Roar Guru
The Bulldogs have beaten the Panthers in a nail-bitter, earning their first win of the season in a 20-18 victory. A more than impressive first half which was the complete opposite to their opening performances against the Storm and Roosters saw the Bulldogs put 20 points on Penrith who again suffered another slow start. Again the Panthers saw themselves in familiar territory at 14-0 down and after James Maloney opened the scoring for the Mountain Men a famous comeback was on the cards. Though the Bulldogs stayed calm, led by a standout performance by Moses Mbye who scored two tries and played brilliantly in the full back role. The Panthers struggled throughout the opening period but only saw themselves eight points down at the break after exposing the Bulldogs right edge defence, attacking Kieran Foran and Will Hopoate effectively and with reward. The situation at hand was made more difficult for the Panthers after Nathan Cleary was ruled out of the game due to a medial ligament injury. It took until the 73rd for the scoreboard to once again tick over after Josh Mansour put in an acrobatic effort in the corner, finding the line and setting up a grandstand finish. After Maloney converted the try the Bulldogs stayed relaxed and didn’t panic, seeing out a tight two-point victory. The result leaves much for Anthony Griffin to ponder as his side were second best all game. Ill-discipline and sloppy errors made the two-point deficit flattering and now has to deal with the absence of Nathan Cleary. Whilst for Dean Pay, he’ll be happy after the Dogs put in a tough, mature performance. They are still conceding easy points which is a cause for concern but tightened up well in the second half. Overall it was still a positive outing as they looked much more composed and took their opportunities when points were on offer, unlike their opponents. They will head into their next match with South Sydney Rabbitohs with much confidence.
Joe
Roar Rookie
Boy the Dogs made that difficult at the end but they manged to hang on for the two points. I thought the forwards were good and tireless for the Dogs and in the backs Marshall-King was very good in his first game and Mybe was outstanding in the back. Panthers really felt the loss of Cleary although Maloney did his best to get them the win. Was a very good win all around.
Curtis Figon
Roar Guru
Thank you for joining me during the coverage of the Bulldogs v Panthers. Now it's time to join Thomas English who will be providing commentary throughout the Wests Tigers and Brisbane Broncos. A match report will soon follow of the Bulldogs much needed and important win.
Nat
Roar Guru
At least your Supercoach will go gangbusters with Isaako scoring 14 tonight.
JOHNYBULLDOG
Guest
Enjoy the beer Baz,woo hoo go my boys oh Stu is this a bittersweet win ?
Nat
Roar Guru
Hey hey, yes well... Enjoy the next 80 mins of that feeling :)
Nat
Roar Guru
Young Marshall proved his worth already with some quality touches on debut. Foran played well and Mbye has been unleashed at the back. The Panthers struggled after losing Cleary but who wouldn't. Don't want to harp on Maloney but that was his time, Cleary has bought them back twice from 14 down.
The Barry
Roar Guru
YEEEEEAAAAHHHH!!!!!! We’re on the same points as the Cowboys, Roosters, Broncos!
Nat
Roar Guru
Well done Dogs.
Curtis Figon
Roar Guru
FULL TIME Bulldogs 20-18 Panthers All the off field distractions can be put behind them. The Bulldogs are on the board for 2018 after holding off a late, spirited charge home from the Panthers.
JOHNYBULLDOG
Guest
Woo hoo go my Doggies ?
Curtis Figon
Roar Guru
79th min Bulldogs 20-18 Panthers Bulldogs have a set of six starting from half way. Not rushing, not doing anything stupid. Panthers in trouble.