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It's once again time to move on to the next game and it's another big one this week as we move into Round 18 and take on a rival of ours in the Bulldogs. Another super important game if we want to make a run and cement our spot in the eight and I have no doubt this is a must win game for us. It's going to be a challenge against the Dogs who as I said are one of our biggest rivals with a rivalry that stretches back well over 80 years now. In that time there's been some fierce battles including Grand Finals, Finals games and huge Regular Season match ups. We'll get to write another chapter to that rivalry on Sunday.
I don't think it's going to be an easy win at all. On paper, you would think we should have their measure but rarely to games against Canterbury-Bankstown go as you think. This has been evidenced by games against them in the last few years as the only time we have really done it easy against them in that time was Good Friday last year. Aside from that, it generally proves to be a tough game where they always lift and seem to drag us down to their level. They frustrate us into a poor performance. Even earlier this year, it was a real back-and-forth game until we ran away with it late. I'm expecting this weekend to be no different. The Dogs have improved a lot since the last time we met, and they'll be ready and raring to go for this one. Still, plenty of good players in their team like Averillo, Addo-Carr and Burton in particular, as well as guys like Flanagan, Marshall-King and Josh Jackson. We need to shut them all down.
For us, it was a great win last week with a depleted side, so we need to feed off that energy as we roll on into Round 18. Getting some troops back will be a huge bonus and we should be close to full strength for this one. With this being a must-win game and the long turnaround after Wednesday night's Origin, I'm expecting Cookie, Cam and Jai to back up which will be a big plus. However, we should also get Nicho back and hopefully AJ and Lachie are good to go. Significantly, the boys seem to have turned a corner this Season, but this week is about showing it. Get out there with a good attitude, play with passion and pride, no complacency, hold the ball, complete your sets, and defend well. If we can do that then we should be too good, but you just never know against the Dogs.
So it's a big week once again in the context of our Season and I hope we can continue to build. The long turnaround will help. Bring on Sunday!!!
I don't think it's going to be an easy win at all. On paper, you would think we should have their measure but rarely to games against Canterbury-Bankstown go as you think. This has been evidenced by games against them in the last few years as the only time we have really done it easy against them in that time was Good Friday last year. Aside from that, it generally proves to be a tough game where they always lift and seem to drag us down to their level. They frustrate us into a poor performance. Even earlier this year, it was a real back-and-forth game until we ran away with it late. I'm expecting this weekend to be no different. The Dogs have improved a lot since the last time we met, and they'll be ready and raring to go for this one. Still, plenty of good players in their team like Averillo, Addo-Carr and Burton in particular, as well as guys like Flanagan, Marshall-King and Josh Jackson. We need to shut them all down.
For us, it was a great win last week with a depleted side, so we need to feed off that energy as we roll on into Round 18. Getting some troops back will be a huge bonus and we should be close to full strength for this one. With this being a must-win game and the long turnaround after Wednesday night's Origin, I'm expecting Cookie, Cam and Jai to back up which will be a big plus. However, we should also get Nicho back and hopefully AJ and Lachie are good to go. Significantly, the boys seem to have turned a corner this Season, but this week is about showing it. Get out there with a good attitude, play with passion and pride, no complacency, hold the ball, complete your sets, and defend well. If we can do that then we should be too good, but you just never know against the Dogs.
So it's a big week once again in the context of our Season and I hope we can continue to build. The long turnaround will help. Bring on Sunday!!!
