Bulldogs
24
Match Complete
Cowboys
12
| 67 |  | J. Kahu | ||
| 66 |  | B. Hampton | ||
| R. Martin | | 65 | ||
| C. Harawira-Naera | | 64 | ||
| R. Martin | | 61 | ||
| J. Jackson | | 59 | ||
| R. Martin | | 51 | ||
| C. Harawira-Naera | | 50 | ||
| R. Martin | | 35 | ||
| J. Okunbor | | 34 | ||
| 21 |  | J. Kahu | ||
| 12 | | J. O'Neill |
| 4 | Tries | 2 | ||
| 4 | Conversions | 1 | ||
| 0 | Penalty Goals | 1 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
The Canterbury Bulldogs will be desperate to turn around a worrying couple of weeks as they do battle with the steadily improving, but still well below par North Queensland Cowboys. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 6pm (AEDT).
The Bulldogs come into this match on a full seven-day turnaround, having been improved, but still poor in key elements as they fell to the South Sydney Rabbitohs on Good Friday.
Canterbury were stronger in defence, although, that wouldn’t be hard when they conceded 40 points to the St George Illawarra Dragons at Kogarah in Round 5.
Only letting in 14 points was a positive sign, but given the speed of the ruck throughout the game, allowed to be a disaster by referee Henry Perenara, maybe the low points total should be taken with a grain of salt.
Still, it was always expected the Bulldogs might be decent in some games, and downright poor in others throughout 2019. Such is the nature of having a young side, with inexperience leading the way in the spine, that confidence will ebb and flow.
At the moment, it’s ebbing after they had beaten the Tigers and taken the Storm all the way, but with players like Lachlan Lewis and Rhyse Martin, it will turn a corner at some point.
The key for the Bulldogs is speed of play on the ball. Jack Cogger and Nick Meaney, while both talented, have struggled to run off their forward pack, because they seem to simply take too long in making their mind up on what play.
While the Bulldogs were expected to be down the bottom half of the ladder this year, this evening’s opponents, the Cowboys, certainly weren’t by the majority.
They were hopeful of getting Jason Taumalolo back this evening, but he will be missing for the contest, and it’s been a big blow to their hopes.
The forwards – still a talented pack, mind you – have been well below the level they needed to be at throughout games this year, although there were signs of improvement against the New Zealand Warriors last week in a 17-10 win.
Given it’s their pack which has been struggling, they will need to be at their best tonight against a pack who held Souths solidly last week, however, if it’s even in the forwards, you’d think Michael Morgan, Jack Clifford and Te Maire Martin will be able to go to work solidly in the spine.
Prediction
The Bulldogs will be out to pick up a big win at home, but they haven’t shown enough to back tipping them. If the game is played to the Cowboys still, they should build on last week and take the win, but this could definitely go either way.
Cowboys by 8.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of this match from 6pm (AEDT) and don’t forget to add a comment in the section below.
Game information
Kick-off: 6pm (AEDT)
Venue: ANZ Stadium, Homebush
TV: Live, Fox League 502
Online: Live, Foxtel app, Foxtel now, Kayo Sports, NRL Digital pass
Betting: Bulldogs $1.80, Cowboys $2.14
Overall record: Played 37, Bulldogs 22, Cowboys 15
Last meeting: 2018, Round 6 – Cowboys 10 defeated by Bulldogs 27 at 1300 Smiles Stadium, Townsville
Last five: Cowboys 4, Bulldogs 1
Record at venue: Played 7, Cowboys 4, Bulldogs 3
Referees: Chris Sutton, Phil Henderson
Bulldogs
1. Nick Meaney, 2. Jayden Okunbor, 3. Kerrod Holland, 4. William Hopoate, 5. Reimis Smith, 6. Jack Cogger, 7. Lachlan Lewis, 8. Aiden Tolman, 9. Jeremy Marshall-King, 10. Ofahiki Ogden, 11. Josh Jackson (c), 12. Corey Harawira-Naera, 13. Rhyse Martin
Interchange: 14. Michael Lichaa, 15. Danny Fualalo, 16. Adam Elliott, 17. Chris Smith, 19. Christian Crichton, 20. Marcelo Montoya, 21. Fa’amanu Brown, 22. Renouf To’omaga
Cowboys
1. Te Maire Martin, 2. Justin O’Neill, 3. Jordan Kahu, 4. Enari Tuala, 5. Ben Hampton, 6. Jake Clifford, 7. Michael Morgan, 8. Matthew Scott, 9. Jake Granville, 10. Jordan McLean, 11. Gavin Cooper, 12. Josh McGuire, 13. John Asiata
Interchange: 14. Kurt Baptiste, 15. Coen Hess, 16. Scott Bolton, 17. Francis Molo, 18. Corey Jensen, 19. Tom Opacic, 20. Jason Taumalolo, 21. Mitchell Dunn
peeeko
Roar Guru
agree Cathar, plenty of better options than ANZ
Insider
Roar Rookie
Rellum DCE wait n see he will rip NSW to bits
Cathar Treize
Roar Guru
Bulldogs just formalised ties with the North Coast. Why don't they take games like this & v Titans up there? It is always going to look bad at ANZ esp when they are near bottom of the table.
peeeko
Roar Guru
6711? some great counting skills
Bear
Guest
Big crowd??
Hard knocks
Roar Rookie
When I listen to Paul Green trying to explain away the Cowboys’ poor performance, I feel that we’ve been watching different matches. He believes that the Cowboys are close to getting their act together. I don’t think he could be more wrong and I worry that Thurston made Green look good. The Cowboys lack any imagination in attack. Their passing is woeful, especially from left to right (they must all be right-handers). They lack speed. They don’t line up deep enough to come onto the ball with momentum, perhaps for fear of dropping it. The block plays are dull as hell. Morgan is completely stifled at half. Martin is not a full back. Justin O’Neill can’t think on his feet; neither can Coen Hess and both of them make horrendous errors in defence. Scott and Bolton have seen their best days; likely Gavin Cooper, too, despite his tireless effort. It is very hard to find a player that I would pick and, as a group, they have been awful. Maybe Taumololo will galvanise something but I don’t think he’s got the players around him to go anywhere this year. Tragic to think the Cowboys let go Kikau and Ponga. Green’s hiring has been poor.
Rob
Guest
We have to be mindful of his age Jimmmy. We really need Holmes at the back Barba was major stuff up. If Holmes doesn’t get a spot in 54 he’ll almost certainly be a Cowboy before the end of the year. It’s a black cat year so far. Don’t lose faith Jimmy it’s a long season and we can certainly improve.
CTSTORM
Guest
I have said may times, and will repeat agaom here. WHEN ARE GOING TO START QUESTIONING THE COACH.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Yeah but that 10 min period showed they can attack. But as you say mostly they are predictable. Green is still living in 2015 when our forwards were unstoppable . He needs to wake up from his dream.
CTSTORM
Guest
Is that because the Referees are part of the Storms Acedemy?
R N
Roar Rookie
The cows just don't fire enough shots! way to conservative in their approach and seem to have no confidence! One out rucks, no off loads with maybe a shift on the 4th! Every team in the NRL can defend predictable!
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
At least Clifford kicked well Rob. I haven’t made my mind up about him yet but he is going in the right direction.
Rellum
Roar Guru
It is more of if we don't win it is going to be a shocking year given the efforts of the clubs so far.
Concerned Observer
Roar Rookie
Well, first comment of the year but after watching that I couldn’t stop myself. Sincerely hope that Paul Green gets the full backing of the board soon because I believe that our squad is better than that. Ben Hampton is sitting out on the wing while I need to watch Martin, week in, week out fail to be a full back. Granville’s game has regressed since 2015. Gavin Cooper will never give up but I feel he’s getting too old and Bolton and Scott may need to ponder how much longer they wish to remain But all these problems stem from a coach determined to pick and stick with underperforming players. I was absolutely petrified that we would lose Jake Clifford to another team at the start of the year because Green seemingly refuses to try and develop anyone
Rob
Guest
Similar to the tackle on Morgan in the in goal? Unfortunately far to many tacklers are up around the shoulders and neck in the modern game. It was a player contesting a kick thou.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Only when you play Melbourne . Refs were fine tonight. Touchie stuffed up costing the Dogs. No complaint here.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Great effort from the Dogs...didn’t start great but managed to overcome it. They’ve been trying the second phase play quite a bit this year but it hasn’t always (rarely) come off. Last tackle plays look awful at times and the heart was racing as the Cowboys started throwing the ball around Feels good to get the two points...
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
He was never a hooker. He can't pass accurately and he folds under pressure at dummy half. They should have played him in the back row or as a loose forward. I was saying this 3 years ago but TB kept telling me he would come good. Well, he didn't. Too late now though.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Is that more of a "I have blind faith" or an "I think QLD will actually win."
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
Bad luck jimmmy. You are a good sport mate. Good luck next week against the Titans. Not the hardest draw so some hope there. ;-)