2021 NRL Round 2 Preview, Bulldogs Vs Panthers

Matt Attard previews the Saturday afternoon clash between the Bulldogs and Panthers ….. This is what we have to look forward to.

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TEAM NEWS

Venue: Bankwest Stadium, Date: 20/3, Time: 3pm (local)

Referee: Peter Gough

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Bulldogs

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At times during their opening match against Newcastle, the Bulldogs looked slick. There’s no doubt their attack has improved, but they gave themselves next to no chance with 13 errors and 12 penalties/six-again calls against them.
They backed that up with some poor defensive reads and lack of commitment on the line. No doubt that would have been the focus in the lead up to this clash with the premiership favourites.

Panthers

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Only a team as good as the reigning minor premiers can hold a team to nil, score four tries, yet still be called sloppy. But that’s how many saw their round one contest with the Cowboys.

Sure they defended well, but at times they looked clunky (as most sides did given it’s the start of the season). They only completed at 67 per cent, which spells bad news for the Bulldogs. Ivan Cleary will want to see a massive and immediate improvement. It won’t take Penrith long to settle back in to the style and form that saw them in last year’s grand final.

PREVIEW

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The stage is set for a showdown between Trent Barrett and Ivan Cleary. Everyone knows the story of Barrett leading the Panthers attack in 2020 and how both were once mates, but not any more – at least according to tabloids.
The parts about disharmony between the two couldn’t be further from the truth. The fact remains, this game is all about football and not about a perceived grudge.

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This is still an exciting time for the Bulldogs, but a tough draw may raise some doubts in their ability for the opening month or so. They are yet to play a match in dry conditions (trials and opposed inter-club matches included), but the real test here is their defence and ball handling. Everyone knows it’s time that they need.

If Barrett’s men can hold the pill and set their defensive structures, they could have pundits singing their praises no matter the result. If not, it could be a long night at the office.

Penrith were led around the park by the usual suspects last week and – on top of their clever and at-times freakish attack – their defence is where the real work is done. They’re excellent at isolating their best defenders with their opponents’ best attackers to shut down play. No doubt Kyle Flanagan will be a marked man on Saturday.

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KEY STAT

They played each other once in 2021 – a demolition by Penrith 42-0. The key stats then were completion rates and possession, just as it is now. In that clash, Penrith had the lion’s share of the ball and had seven more sets than the Bulldogs.

Interestingly, the Bulldogs completed at a higher percentage in that match, but could not come up with points. It shows that Penrith are masters with the ball and the Bulldogs couldn’t score a try if they bought one. However, this is a different Bulldogs team. It will be interesting to see what happens if the home side can hold the Steeden and have at least an even share of possession.

PREDICTION

I think we will see an improved Bulldogs side with the ball and without: it couldn’t get much worse than their efforts in round one. However it won’t be enough. Penrith were off their game and still held their opponents to nil. This will be a comfortable Panthers victory.

  Panthers by 18.

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