Check out the match preview and prediction for the round 5 clash between the Bulldogs and Roosters.
MATCHDAY NEWS
MATCHDAY SCHEDULE
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs Vs Sydney Roosters
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
Date: Friday April 5, 6:00pm
MATCHDAY TEAM NEWS
Bulldogs: 1. Blake Taaffe 2. Blake Wilson 3. Jacob Kiraz 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Connor Tracey 6. Matt Burton 7. Drew Hutchison 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Samuel Hughes 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Josh Curran 13. Jaeman Salmon 14. Kurt Mann 15. Harrison Edwards 16. Liam Knight 17. Kitione Kautoga 19. Bronson Xerri 20. Toby Sexton 21. Bailey Hayward 22. Chris Patolo 23. Poasa Faamausili
Roosters : 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii 4. Joseph Manu 5. Dominic Young 6. Luke Keary 7. Sam Walker 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Brandon Smith 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Nat Butcher 12. Angus Crichton 13. Victor Radley 14. Connor Watson 15. Naufahu Whyte 16. Sitili Tupouniua 17. Terrell May 18. Michael Jennings 19. Egan Butcher 20. Fetalaiga Pauga 21. Zach Dockar-Clay 22. Siua Wong
Referee: Grant Atkins
Embed from Getty ImagesMATCHDAY PREVIEW
Monday October 4th, 2004 – Sydney Olympic Stadium. Sydney Roosters 13 – 16 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs.
20 years ago, a Bulldogs side featuring the likes of Hazem El Masri, Braith Anasta, Willie Mason, Sonny-Bill Williams, and Johnathan Thurston lifted the NRL premiership in front of a sea of screaming blue and white fans. It was one of the finest nights in the history of one of the NRL’s most storied clubs.
On Friday, they take on the same opponent at the same venue, although Accor Stadium isn’t quite in the shape it was back in 2004. The club have made a point of honouring that famous evening this weekend, but that’s very much an on-field commitment as it is an off-field one.
The Bulldogs played well enough to beat the Rabbitohs last week, and in my opinion, it was two points dropped for Cameron Ciraldo’s men. Canterbury had the majority of possession, the majority of territory, and were awarded over twice as many penalties as South Sydney. They had no trouble getting to the Rabbitohs’ line but lacked direction and urgency once they got there.
You win games in the NRL by being ruthless – taking every opportunity that presents itself because there’s no guarantee there’ll be another one. The 2004 side will be there but this time it’s Stephen Crichton, Matt Burton, Reed Mahoney and Viliame Kikau who are tasked with finding that edge for the Dogs.
For the Roosters, this game is a real indicator as to where they’re at. Easts are 2 and 2 this season having faced a tough opening draw of Brisbane, Manly, Souths and Penrith. If this side is serious as a premiership contender, they have to be stamping their authority in games like this, playing the brand of footy they want to play, and executing it well.
The Roosters of last year would’ve struggled in a fixture like this. They’d have likely won but it wouldn’t have been pretty, and they wouldn’t have impressed too many people. Do we see the same old story from the Chooks, or do they have a bit more in 2024?
Head-to-head stats can be found at Round 5 Number Crunch.
MATCHDAY PREDICTION
Roosters by 14 points
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