Oracle of Delphi
KC Hill
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Craig HillRound eight preview – Bulldogs vs Knights
May 5th 2007 12:33
VENUE and TIME: Telstra Stadium, Sunday 3pm
HEAD TO HEAD: Played 28, Bulldogs 15, Knights 12, Drawn 1
COVERAGE: Channel 9 (4pm), Fox Sports (6 pm), ABC Radio, 2GB
LAST 5 CLASHES:
Knights 25-24, Energy Australia Stadium, 2007
Bulldogs 38-22, Telstra Stadium, 2006
Knights 46-22, Energy Australia Stadium, 2006
Knights 28-13, Telstra Stadium, 2005
Bulldogs 24-20, Energy Australia Stadium, 2005
MEDICAL ROOM:
The Bulldogs are basically at full strength for this extremely important encounter, with only Test prop Mark O’Meley (leg) missing until Round 11.
The Knights are in similarly healthy position, with only the clubs two first choice fullbacks Milton Thaiday (shoulder) and David Seage (knee) the only injury concerns for coach Brian Smith.
FORM:
Canterbury have been patchy all season, with the star studded Bulldogs line up struggling for cohesion and discipline in games. Bulldogs enforcer declared this week that he felt sorry for Canterbury’s loyal band of supporters, as the ‘Dogs will one week thrash their opposition, and then follow up with a demoralising loss.
An Andrew Johns-less Newcastle side has been surprisingly consistent over the opening seven weeks of the premiership, with the Knights grinding their way to four wins. Coach Smith has been forced to blood a host of promising youngsters over the opening rounds, and the confidence of boom half Jarrod Mullen is slowly starting to reap dividends.
KEY MATCH-UPS:
Sonny Bill Williams vs Steve Simpson
This is sure to be classic encounter, with the two representative back rowers playing completely differing games. While Williams is a rampant attacking dynamo, Simpson is a rugged, defensive toiler, and the clash of these two opposing styles is sure to entertain.
Williams’s confidence has been down at the start of this season, with both injury and suspension stalling the impact of the gifted athlete. Simpson has been in usual solid form, and a big showing against the Bulldogs massive pack may seem jag a back row spot the NSW Blues in the upcoming State of Origin Series.
Willie Tonga vs Adam McDougall
On their day, these two former representative centres can be amongst the most damaging backs in the competition, but both players form of recent has been well below par.
Tonga will be looking to make amends for last weeks shocker against the Tigers, with the talented centre surrendering possession on five occasions when the Bulldogs were in promising positions. The former Maroons flyer still looks to be struggling for confidence after returning from a shocking knee injury last season, but the signs have been there that the Bulldogs centre is ready to explode.
The man they call “Mad Dog” has been in mediocre form so far this season, with his lack of quality football definitely frustrating the damaging three quarter. McDougall is struggling to forge a combination with new half Jarrod Mullen, and he may get more opportunity when Kurt Gidley returns to the halves.
VERDICT:
While Canterbury’s form thus far in season 2007 has been mediocre to say the least, they possess so much firepower right across the park that it is hard to tip against them. Even without the injured Mark O’Meley, the Bulldogs are still able to field a starting forward pack containing four internationals.
The Knights will look formidable when they are able to shift Kurt Gidley back into the halves to partner the young Jarrod Mullen, but until then, they will be struggling for attacking options. Opposition know to target Mullen on the last tackle as the Knights basically have no other go to men in the front line.
Canterbury at home on a Sunday afternoon should be too strong for the Knights who have Buderus and Gidley backing up after Thursday’s City vs Country fixture, and it would be know surprise to see the Bulldogs finally hit their straps.
Canterbury by 10
Canterbury Bulldogs:
Luke Patten, Hazem El Masri, Daryl Millard, Willie Tonga, Matt Utai, Daniel Holdsworth, Brent Sherwin, Chris Armit, Corey Hughes, Willie Mason, Sonny Bill Williams, Andrew Ryan (c), Reni Maitua
Interchange:
Adam Perry, Lee Te Maari, Kane Cleal, Jarrad Hickey
Newcastle Knights:
Kurt Gidley, James McManus, Adam MacDougall, Brad Tighe, Todd Polglase, Daniel Abraham, Jarrod Mullen, Josh Perry, Danny Buderus (c), Adam Woolnough, Steve Simpson, Clint Newton, Kirk Reynoldson
Interchange:
Riley Brown, Matthew White, Cory Paterson, Kade Snowden, Jesse Royal, Michael Young
Referee: Steve Clark
HEAD TO HEAD: Played 28, Bulldogs 15, Knights 12, Drawn 1
COVERAGE: Channel 9 (4pm), Fox Sports (6 pm), ABC Radio, 2GB
LAST 5 CLASHES:
Knights 25-24, Energy Australia Stadium, 2007
Bulldogs 38-22, Telstra Stadium, 2006
Knights 46-22, Energy Australia Stadium, 2006
Knights 28-13, Telstra Stadium, 2005
Bulldogs 24-20, Energy Australia Stadium, 2005
MEDICAL ROOM:
The Bulldogs are basically at full strength for this extremely important encounter, with only Test prop Mark O’Meley (leg) missing until Round 11.
The Knights are in similarly healthy position, with only the clubs two first choice fullbacks Milton Thaiday (shoulder) and David Seage (knee) the only injury concerns for coach Brian Smith.
FORM:
Canterbury have been patchy all season, with the star studded Bulldogs line up struggling for cohesion and discipline in games. Bulldogs enforcer declared this week that he felt sorry for Canterbury’s loyal band of supporters, as the ‘Dogs will one week thrash their opposition, and then follow up with a demoralising loss.
An Andrew Johns-less Newcastle side has been surprisingly consistent over the opening seven weeks of the premiership, with the Knights grinding their way to four wins. Coach Smith has been forced to blood a host of promising youngsters over the opening rounds, and the confidence of boom half Jarrod Mullen is slowly starting to reap dividends.
KEY MATCH-UPS:
Sonny Bill Williams vs Steve Simpson
This is sure to be classic encounter, with the two representative back rowers playing completely differing games. While Williams is a rampant attacking dynamo, Simpson is a rugged, defensive toiler, and the clash of these two opposing styles is sure to entertain.
Williams’s confidence has been down at the start of this season, with both injury and suspension stalling the impact of the gifted athlete. Simpson has been in usual solid form, and a big showing against the Bulldogs massive pack may seem jag a back row spot the NSW Blues in the upcoming State of Origin Series.
Willie Tonga vs Adam McDougall
On their day, these two former representative centres can be amongst the most damaging backs in the competition, but both players form of recent has been well below par.
Tonga will be looking to make amends for last weeks shocker against the Tigers, with the talented centre surrendering possession on five occasions when the Bulldogs were in promising positions. The former Maroons flyer still looks to be struggling for confidence after returning from a shocking knee injury last season, but the signs have been there that the Bulldogs centre is ready to explode.
The man they call “Mad Dog” has been in mediocre form so far this season, with his lack of quality football definitely frustrating the damaging three quarter. McDougall is struggling to forge a combination with new half Jarrod Mullen, and he may get more opportunity when Kurt Gidley returns to the halves.
VERDICT:
While Canterbury’s form thus far in season 2007 has been mediocre to say the least, they possess so much firepower right across the park that it is hard to tip against them. Even without the injured Mark O’Meley, the Bulldogs are still able to field a starting forward pack containing four internationals.
The Knights will look formidable when they are able to shift Kurt Gidley back into the halves to partner the young Jarrod Mullen, but until then, they will be struggling for attacking options. Opposition know to target Mullen on the last tackle as the Knights basically have no other go to men in the front line.
Canterbury at home on a Sunday afternoon should be too strong for the Knights who have Buderus and Gidley backing up after Thursday’s City vs Country fixture, and it would be know surprise to see the Bulldogs finally hit their straps.
Canterbury by 10
Canterbury Bulldogs:
Luke Patten, Hazem El Masri, Daryl Millard, Willie Tonga, Matt Utai, Daniel Holdsworth, Brent Sherwin, Chris Armit, Corey Hughes, Willie Mason, Sonny Bill Williams, Andrew Ryan (c), Reni Maitua
Interchange:
Adam Perry, Lee Te Maari, Kane Cleal, Jarrad Hickey
Newcastle Knights:
Kurt Gidley, James McManus, Adam MacDougall, Brad Tighe, Todd Polglase, Daniel Abraham, Jarrod Mullen, Josh Perry, Danny Buderus (c), Adam Woolnough, Steve Simpson, Clint Newton, Kirk Reynoldson
Interchange:
Riley Brown, Matthew White, Cory Paterson, Kade Snowden, Jesse Royal, Michael Young
Referee: Steve Clark
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