The Canterbury Bulldogs have given their fans some reason to be optimistic with a 20-point win over the Newcastle Knights.
Final score
Newcastle Knights 16
Canterbury Bulldogs 36
The Newcastle Knights and the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs face off at McDonald Jones in Round 16. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 5:30pm (AEST).
To say this is a different looking Bulldogs side to pre-season expectations is something of an understatement.
Even some of the Dogs faithful will be unfamiliar with a couple of the men who will take to the field for the blue and whites.
With the departure of Aaron Woods during the week, injury to Keiran Foran and the recent loss of Moses Mbye, Canterbury have shed experience and dollars in an attempt to right the financial woes of the current roster. Injuries to Raymond Faitala-Mariner and Josh Morris make for a very thin squad.
They do welcome back Brett Morris for this game and Lachlan Lewis will make his debut at five-eighth, but the bench could be a major factor in this one, with Dean Pay’s side lacking in that area.
Newcastle need a win if they are to have any chance of hanging on to the coattails of the eight. They send a solid squad onto the park with much resting on the backs of halves Connor Watson and Jack Cogger.
Nathan Brown is still searching for consistency and after something of a promising start, the grind and toughness of the NRL competition is testing his developing team.
With just one win in the last month, Newcastle will look to claim a vital two points to recharge their season and further plummet the spirits of the Bulldogs.
Prediction
Aside from pride, it is difficult to know what Canterbury are being motivated by right now. It has been a season to forget and the Knights’ trajectory appears polar opposite.
With a noisy crowd in Newcastle, an upcoming bye and plenty for which to play, the Knights should snatch a win here and make a play for ninth spot on the ladder over the next fortnight.
Newcastle 26-14 Canterbury
Catch all the action on The Roar live from 5:30pm (AEST).
Scott Pryde
Expert
Ahh...
Danno1
Guest
How refreshing was that for doggies fans! Went up to the local, no fox at home, to watch Cogger and Lewis mainly, but also to see the mighty K Holland get a full gig. And didn't the young Bulldogs aim up, not sure about Cogger. I get that no Ponga made it a lot easier, but was just good to see the dogs play enterprising and positive footy. Defence is still a bit sketchy at times. A good first step in a tough transition. Well done Doggies admin for making some tough calls early
Magic Lyrebird
Guest
Yeah I watched the last half hour, and the Dogs' defence was terrific. The darkest days are behind them now.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
What a great night for the Club. Spirit lifting.
Magic Lyrebird
Guest
Great call Stuart - especially the scoreline
Magic Lyrebird
Guest
Maybe, but the mighty Dogs would have beaten anyone tonight!
Stuart Thomas
Expert
The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs have travelled to Newcastle in desperate search of a victory; hoping to instill some faith in their fans and keep their 2018 season interesting. The Knights loomed as a tough opponent at home and with the recent departures from Belmore, the home side were deserved favourites. Early tires to Holland and Watson saw the honours even after twenty minutes, before the Knights rallied to take a four point lead into the break. With injuries to Kalyn Ponga and Slade Griffen, the second half effort was always going to be tough for Newcastle and the Reimis Smith try just after the break set the Dogs about their business. From there on it was a procession, with tries to Marshall-King, Brown and Jackson icing the cake for the Dogs and Rhyse Martin converting tries from all over the park. For the Dogs it was a much needed victory. For the Knights, it was a game they had probably pegged as a win; so bad had the Bulldogs' form been. With all the changes at the Club and the commitment shown by the 17 who took to the field tonight, perhaps some sensible decisions have been made by the powers at be and maybe the Bulldogs are on their way back. Final Score Canterbury-Bankstown 36 Newcastle 16
Emcie
Roar Guru
I know right, it'd be like nearly losing to Parra;)
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Thanks for being on board for the blog tonight. Match report to follow in ten minutes. The Broncos and Raiders are up next. Stay with the Roar for our coverage and enjoy the rest of the weekend's action.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Jee Baz, you'd be really, really concerned if you couldn't rack up 30 against Newcastle without Ponga!
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Conversion 80' - Martin converts and the Bulldogs have a convincing victory.
Knights: 16 Bulldogs: 36
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Try 80' - No formality there, Jackson scores off the kick in the corner.
Knights: 16 Bulldogs: 34
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Penalty 78' - The Bulldogs earn a late penalty and the final set of the game will be a formality.
Knights: 16 Bulldogs: 30
The Barry
Roar Guru
No Woods, no Foran 30 points and a big win. Great signings...?
Stuart Thomas
Expert
78' - The Knights attack the left again and the Dogs' defence holds firm again.
Knights: 16 Bulldogs: 30
Stuart Thomas
Expert
76' - The Bulldogs find touch with the kick and start to run some clock off the back of their next set.
Knights: 16 Bulldogs: 30
Stuart Thomas
Expert
76' - The Knights deep in attack in the final minutes. The kick on the last is cleaned up by Lachlan Lewis. Brilliant defence from the Bulldogs.
Knights: 16 Bulldogs: 30
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Conversion 74' - Martin nails the conversion and we are done and dusted in Newcastle.
Knights: 16 Bulldogs: 30
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Try 73' - Brown crashes over from acting half and the Dogs have won in Newcastle.
Knights: 16 Bulldogs: 28
Stuart Thomas
Expert
71' - The Dogs with a full set on the line.
Knights: 16 Bulldogs: 24