Matt Attard previews the Indigenous Round clash between the Bulldogs and the Dragons. Here’s what we have to look forward to….
MATCHDAY NEWS
MATCHDAY SCHEDULE
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs Vs St George Illawarra Dragons
Venue: Belmore Sports Ground, Sydney
Date: Sunday May 29, 2:00pm
MATCHDAY TEAM NEWS
Related: NRL Team List Tuesday
Embed from Getty ImagesBulldogs: 1. Matt Dufty 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Aaron Schoupp 4. Jake Averillo 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Matt Burton 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Luke Thompson 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Paul Vaughan 11. Corey Waddell 12. Max King 13. Josh Jackson 14. Zach Dockar-Clay 15. Tevita Pangai Junior 16. Chris Patolo 17. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 19. Jackson Topine 20. Brandon Wakeham 21. Joe Stimson 22. Declan Casey 23. Jayden Okunbor 24. Paul Alamoti 25. Ava Seumanufagai
“The Fastest Man on the Planet” Josh Addo-Carr returns from illness and Corey Waddell returns from a head knock.
Embed from Getty ImagesDragons: 1. Cody Ramsey 2. Mathew Feagai 3. Moses Suli 4. Zac Lomax 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Talatau Amone 7. Ben Hunt 8. Francis Molo 9. Moses Mbye 10. Blake Lawrie 11. Jack Bird 12. Tariq Sims 13. Jack de Belin 14. Andrew McCullough 15. Aaron Woods 16. Michael Molo 17. Tyrell Fuimaono 18. Jack Gosiewski 19. Tautau Moga 20. Jayden Sullivan 21. Tyrell Sloan 22. Josh Kerr 23. Jackson Ford 24. Jaiyden Hunt
Andrew McCullough makes an early return from a thumb injury via the bench.
Referee: Ben Cummins.
MATCHDAY PREVIEW
Back at their spiritual ground, the Bulldogs have had a settled week with caretaker coach Mick Potter well at home now after a disruptive first week that saw the team train just once while several players battled the flu.
Whether all that translates to a better on-field performance remains to be seen, but frustrated fans will be hoping the return to Belmore will lift the team to new heights.
Their opponents, the Dragons, are travelling nicely and will be full of confidence after a strong win last week. Cody Ramsay was a revelation at fullback, while Ben Hunt continues to put his hand up for Origin selection with leadership qualities the home side would die for.
The Bulldogs are still searching for an 80-minute performance and some willpower to stop giving away so many penalties. Their error rate and discipline last week was as bad as it’s been all year.
Moses Suli has been a powerhouse for St George this season and is averaging 158 metres per match, including a game high 228 metres against the Warriors last week.
It’ll be a tough slog at Belmore on a Sunday afternoon, but it’s hard to see a disappointing Bulldogs team suddenly kick into gear against a team who will be in the top eight should they win this game.
Embed from Getty ImagesINTERESTING FACT
Canterbury-Bankstown and the pre-merger St George Dragons had a decent rivalry, playing three grand finals in 43 years: Canterbury won 11-9 in 1942, St George won 17-13 in 1979, and Canterbury won 7-6 in 1985.
The Dragons’ biggest ever win was over the Bulldogs, beating the old Berries (in their debut season) 91-6 in 1935.
MATCHDAY PREDICTION
Dragons by 10.
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