Bulldogs
18
Match Complete
Wests Tigers
16
| 78 |  | L. Garner | ||
| 72 | | P. Momirovski | ||
| N. Meaney |  | 55 | ||
| N. Meaney | | 53 | ||
| N. Meaney | | 48 | ||
| J. Marshall-King | | 47 | ||
| N. Meaney | | 43 | ||
| J. Jackson | | 42 | ||
| 30 |  | P. Momirovski | ||
| 8 | | P. Momirovski | ||
| 7 | | P. Momirovski |
| 3 | Tries | 3 | ||
| 3 | Conversions | 1 | ||
| 0 | Penalty Goals | 1 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
Match result:
Robbie Farah and Moses Mbye added injury woes to the Wests Tigers upset 18-16 loss to Canterbury at ANZ Stadium, which saw them drop out of the NRL top eight.
Bulldogs 18
Tigers 16
Match preview
The second-from bottom Canterbury Bulldogs host a Wests Tigers side chasing a semi-final birth on Saturday evening. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 7:30pm (AEST).
Wests are in ninth spot on 20 points, the same amount as the Panthers in tenth and the Sharks in eighth.
The Tigers need to keep their good form up and keep winning if they are to make the finals. They head into this one with two victories in a row after downing North Queensland and Newcastle.
Michael Maguire has given them a hard edge and old guard Benji Marshall and Robbie Farah are in fine touch.
It’s been a tough season from the Doggies as the battle to avoid the wooden spoon. But they have been in high spirits lately after claiming the scalp of the Panthers.
Canterbury have shown some signs of improvement in the past month, with a win over the Knights followed by losses to the Broncos and Roosters, and then that result against Penrith.
But this a game the Tigers should and must win. Lose and it may be another disappointing season.
Esan Marsters has been outstanding in recent weeks, while Corey Thompson has impressed at fullback.
Wests haven’t made the finals for eons, so getting to the semis would be massive for the club.
The Dogs are in the middle of a rebuilding phase and are playing for pride. But the arrival of Dallin Watene-Zelezniak has given them a boost and they have a forward pack that can do some damage.
But will have be without Adam Elliott at ANZ Stadium with a finger injury, with Chris Smith taking his spot at lock and Raymond Faitala-Mariner moving onto the bench.
Prediction
Wests’ future is in their own hands, as long as they keep winning. Hopes are rising at Leichhardt are surely they won’t let this momentum slip.
Tigers to win by 10 points.
Game information
When: 7.35pm (AEDT)
Where: ANZ Stadium, Sydney
TV: Fox Sports
Betting: Tigers $1.52, Draw $18, Bulldogs $2.60
Bulldogs
1. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 2. Nick Meaney 3. Kerrod Holland 4. Will Hopoate 5. Reimis Smith 6. Jack Cogger 7. Lachlan Lewis 8. Aiden Tolman 9. Michael Lichaa 10. Dylan Napa 11. Josh Jackson 12. Corey Harawira-Naera 13. Chris Smith 14. Jeremy Marshall-King 15. Renouf To’omaga 16. Danny Fualalo 17. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 21. Jayden Okunbor 22. Ofahiki Ogden
Tigers
1. Corey Thompson 2. Paul Momirovski 3. Moses Mbye 4. Esan Marsters 5. David Nofoaluma 6. Benji Marshall 7. Luke Brooks 15. Thomas Mikaele 9. Robbie Farah 10. Oliver Clark 11. Luke Garner 12. Michael Chee-Kam 13. Ryan Matterson 14. Matt Eisenhuth 16. Alex Twal 17. Chris Lawrence 20. Elijah Taylor 19. Tommy Talau 24. Chris McQueen
Tom G
Roar Rookie
Yes the field of dreams strategy is really doing the job for them. At precisely the same time all the smart money overseas is on developing boutique grounds in convenient locations.. the NRL is headed in the opposite direction with bigger venues in inconvenient locations
Stormy
Roar Rookie
How are the NRL going to address the appalling look of thousands of empty seats at matches such as this one. Can't see the point of building huge stadiums if you can't fill them?
Chris.P.Bacon
Guest
Cheers PS. It certainly wasn't the best of wins but I'm glad we're moving away from the wooden spoon position. Have to admit to feeling rather sympathetic for the poor lad who shanked his last shot - but still glad to get the win. So we've now dented the aspirations of the Knights, Panthers, Sharks and now Tigers and I've got a funny feeling that the Dogs will be up for next week big fella. In fact I've heard some of the players say "Shhh. Be vewy vewy quiet, we're hunting wabbits" ;)
farkurnell
Roar Rookie
Night of the underDOG. The Wobblies got up as well
Danno1
Roar Rookie
always there trying to be the spark...doggies legend that man
Stormy
Roar Rookie
It is in AFL Land
Chris.P.Bacon
Guest
Mate those last two spots in the eight are anyone's at this point. ...interesting four weeks left! (...I'll do my best re Bronco's...) :)
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
That's no way to speak to man's best friend. Not the woof! It takes a fair bit of talent to work a keyboard with paws not to mention mastering English. I think that deserves a Schmackos! ;-)
Stormy
Roar Rookie
Believe Josh Jackson was vital in igniting that fire, Danno1
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
LOL...Congrats! Mine didn't mean much. And now with yours, you owe all NRL fans. By beating the Tigers, you have opened the door for blasted Broncos, so do us all a favour and beat them out of of the 8 in the last round. :)
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
Congrats on the win CPB. One small step for the Bulldogs. One giant leap away from the wooden spoon. I feel sorry for Tigers fans who lost 2 key players and played with 2 men down. I think BOTH sin-bins were ridiculous. They weren't even penalties IMO. THREE missed goals by the Tigers was the difference between victory and defeat in the end. WHY oh WHY didn't Marsters take that last kick when Momirovski was having an off night with the boot and was down on confidence. That shank at the end just proved that mentally he was not up to the pressure and Marsters would have kicked the goal from there no problem. I'm worried that Robbie Farah may have played his last game in the NRL if his knee injury is serious. He deserves a better finish than that. I think the Tigers are in trouble at this point especially if Mbye and Farah are both missing in tbe next few weeks.
Insider
Roar Rookie
Lol
Chris.P.Bacon
Guest
.......absolutely Danno! Onward and upward mate!
Chris.P.Bacon
Guest
Yep, back to back! ...good times!
Chris.P.Bacon
Guest
...they can't stand you either Brendon! ;)
Chris.P.Bacon
Guest
Cheers DPS! We both get a win today! :)
Danno1
Roar Rookie
on fire…. CPB….a slightly small damp smokey fire, but the beginnings of one nonetheless
Emcie
Roar Guru
Is that back to back wins? Cheers Doggies for keeping the Broncs in the 8 for another week!!
Chris.P.Bacon
Guest
Glad to get the points. Commiserations to any Tiger supporters out there! Thanks for the call John. Go you Doggies.....Souths next week!!! ;)
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
What a great game. There you go at the end - Benji. He is so good these days. A real rock.