Matt Attard previews the round 21 clash between the Bulldogs and the Cowboys. Here’s what we have to look forward to. …
MATCHDAY NEWS
MATCHDAY SCHEDULE
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs Vs North Queensland Cowboys
Venue: Salter Oval, Bundaberg
Date: Sunday August 7, 2:00pm
MATCHDAY TEAM NEWS
Related: NRL Team List Tuesday
Embed from Getty ImagesBulldogs: 1. Jake Averillo 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Aaron Schoupp 4. Braidon Burns 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Matt Burton 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Max King 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Paul Vaughan 11. Josh Jackson 12. Jackson Topine 13. Tevita Pangai Junior 14. Zach Dockar-Clay 15. Joe Stimson 16. Harrison Edwards 17. Chris Patolo 19. Declan Casey 20. Kurtis Morrin 21. Bailey Biondi-Odo 22. Jeral Skelton 23. Raymond Faitala-Mariner.
No changes to the Bulldogs’ starting 17.
Embed from Getty ImagesCowboys: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Peta Hiku 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown 9. Reece Robson 10. Coen Hess 11. Tom Gilbert 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Jason Taumalolo 14. Jake Granville 15. Reuben Cotter 16. Luciano Leilua 17. Griffin Neame 18. Connelly Lemuelu 19. Brendan Elliot 20. Riley Price 21. Tomas Chester 22. Ben Hampton.
One change for the Cowboys: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow will replace Kyle Feldt.
Referee: Adam Gee
MATCHDAY PREVIEW
Although this is a Bulldogs home game the crowd is sure to have a very large contingent of Cowboys supporters given its being played in Bundaberg.
Both teams are on an impressive run of performances but there is perhaps no better team in the competition at the moment than the Cowboys.
They’re flying high with a very impressive points differential, showing not only is their attack red-hot, but their defence is extremely hard to crack.
The form of young second rower Jeremiah Nanai is scintillating as he sits just behind Alex Johnston for tries in the NRL this season. Tom Dearden and Chad Townsend are so well-suited together in the halves, while Jason Taumalolo is getting back to career-best form.
Although they claimed a two-point win in the opening round of the competition, this will be a tough test for the Bulldogs.
Their attack has been terrific and may well trouble the Cowboys, but their defence has been an issue.
Matt Burton and Josh Addo-Carr are forming a lethal combination on the left while their forward pack is being aptly led by Max King, Paul Vaughan, and a very explosive Jeremy Marshall-King.
This could actually be a brilliant contest if both sides can switch on, but there’s no doubt the focus for the Bulldogs will be their defence and trying to withhold the potent attack of a top two Cowboys side.
Embed from Getty ImagesINTERESTING FACT
Canterbury-Bankstown was North Queensland’s first ever opponent in a premiership game.
The “Sydney” Bulldogs (as they were briefly rebranded) travelled to Townsville to play the Cowboys in the opening round of the 1995 ARL Winfield Cup, winning 32-16.
The Dogs went on to win the final Winfield Cup, while the Cowboys finished last with just two wins.
MATCHDAY PREDICTION
Cowboys by 14.
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