Aaron Sutcliffe previews the Sunday afternoon clash between Wests Tigers and Canterbury Bulldogs in Redcliffe. This is what we have to look forward to.
Embed from Getty ImagesTEAM NEWS
Venue: Moreton Daily Stadium, Redcliffe, Date: Sunday September 5, Time: 4:05pm
Tigers Team
1. Moses Mbye
2. David Nofoaluma
3. Tommy Talau
4. Michael Chee Kam
5. Ken Maumalo
6. Jock Madden
7. Luke Brooks
8. Stefano Utoikamanu
9. Jacob Liddle
10. Thomas Mikaele
11. Shawn Blore
12. Luciano Leilua
13. Alex Twal
14. Joe Ofahengaue
15. Jake Simpkin
16. Tom Amone
17. Kelma Tuilagi
18. James Roberts
19. Reece Hoffman
20. Zac Cini
21. Tukimihia Simpkins
Team Changes
IN: James Roberts, Kelma Tuilagi, Reece Hoffman, Tukimihia Simpkins
OUT: Alex Seyfarth
Bulldogs Team
1. Nick Meaney
2. Corey Allan
3. Will Hopoate
4. Aaron Schoupp
5. Jayden Okunbor
6. Brandon Wakeham
7. Kyle Flanagan
8. Ava Seumanufagai
9. Sione Katoa
10. Jack Hetherington
11. Corey Waddell
12. Joe Stimson
13. Josh Jackson
14. Bailey Biondi-Odo
15. Ofahiki Ogden
16. Chris Patolo
17. Jackson Topine
18. Falakiko Manu
19. Dylan Napa
20. Jake Averillo
21. Watson Heleta
Team Changes
IN: Corey Waddell, Dylan Napa, Jake Averillo, Watson Heleta
OUT: Matt Doorey
Referee: Chris Sutton
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Tigers
Embed from Getty ImagesWests have now spent a decade outside of the top eight but are hoping to end their 2021 NRL campaign with a win in what will be the final game of this year’s regular season.
The Tigers showed some fight in the closing stages of their defeat to Penrith last time out and will be looking to build some momentum ahead of next season with premiership-winning coach Tim Sheens having returned to the club back in June to help steer Michael Maguire’s side in the right direction.
The home side make one change to the squad beaten by Penrith with Kelma Tuilagi replacing Alex Seyfarth on the interchange bench after the latter picked up a knee injury in their aforementioned defeat to the Panthers.
Bulldogs
Embed from Getty ImagesIt’s safe to say the Bulldogs will want to put the last couple of seasons behind them. The club are moving 10 players on at the end of the campaign having won just five of their last 44 league matches.
The Belmore-based side suffered an 18-point defeat to Manly Warringah last week which marked their 10th consecutive loss in the NRL as Trent Barrett’s side hope for greener pastures in 2022.
The Bulldogs lost Matt Doorey to an ACL injury against Manly with Corey Waddell returning from suspension to take his place at second row whilst Will Hopoate is playing his last NRL game before departing for Super League side St Helens.
PREVIEW
With little riding on this fixture, the only real motivation for either side is to end the season on a high, particularly in the case of the Bulldogs who are in desperate need of a victory having won just twice all season.
However, both teams will be hoping to get closer to the top eight in 2022 regardless of the result on Sunday, having endured similarly disappointing seasons this term.
As mentioned above, this game will close out the regular season so here’s to hoping that both sides will want to put on a show to finish the campaign rather than playing out a dead rubber.
KEY STAT
Wests have won the last three meetings between the two teams which includes last month’s 28-16 success in which Ken Maumalo dotted down for two tries.
Canterbury-Bankstown’s last success in this fixture came back in August 2019 when Nick Meaney guided them to a narrow 18-16 victory in Sydney.
PREDICTION
It’s difficult to see past a Tigers win in this one, particularly given their 12-point victory against the Bulldogs less than a month ago and Canterbury’s inability to win matches.
Tigers by 20.
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