2023 NRL Preview Round 3: Bulldogs Vs Tigers
The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs play host to the Wests Tigers in this round three clash at Belmore Sports Ground.
MATCHDAY NEWS
MATCHDAY SCHEDULE
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs Vs Wests Tigers
Venue: Belmore Sports Ground, Sydney
Date: Sunday March 19, 4:05pm
MATCHDAY TEAM NEWS
Bulldogs: 1. Hayze Perham 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Jake Averillo 4. Paul Alamoti 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Matt Burton 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Ryan Sutton 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 14. Jayden Okunbor 15. Corey Waddell 16. Franklin Pele 17. Fa’amanu Brown 19. Braidon Burns 20. Karl Oloapu 21. Josh Reynolds 22. Jackson Topine 23. Jayden Tanner
Tigers: 1. Charlie Staines 2. David Nofoaluma 3. Brent Naden 4. Starford To’a 5. Junior Tupou 6. Adam Doueihi 7. Luke Brooks 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. David Klemmer 11. Asu Kepaoa 12. Shawn Blore 13. Fonua Pole 14. Brandon Wakeham 15. Alex Twal 16. Joe Ofahengaue 17. Brandon Tumeth 18. Justin Matamua 19. Alex Seyfarth 20. John Bateman 21. Ruatapu Ngatikaura 22. Jahream Bula
Referee: Todd Smith
Embed from Getty ImagesMATCHDAY PREVIEW
What a difference a week makes in rugby league. I doubt there was a punter who tipped the Bulldogs to beat Melbourne in Melbourne, but they did so convincingly.
Yes, Melbourne were without a host of players, like the Bulldogs, but there’s no denying the drastic improvement under Cameron Ciraldo after a horrible Round 1. The blue-and-whites looked superb in both attack and defence.
Jacob Kiraz was absolutely enormous, Kyle Flanagan was very good at halfback, the forwards laid a big platform, and everything fell in to place – a huge contrast to week one where they dropped the ball every second set.
The poor old Tigers though … they were a whole other level of bad. This week it won’t get much easier with key signing Isaiah Papali’i suspended, Daine Laurie and Tommy Talau injured, plus doubt over star playmaker Adam Doueihi.
Against a weakened Knights team, who had a man sent off in the second half, they never looked like taking the two points.
The Bulldogs have an abysmal record at Belmore in recent times – but given the form of these two teams it would be hard not to expect a big win to the home side.
LAST TEN MATCHES
Bulldogs 5, Tigers 5
MATCHDAY PREDICTION
Bulldogs by 18 points.
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