Bulldogs v Broncos Preview
NRL.com
ANZ Stadium
Sunday 3.00pm
http://nrl.com/News/Latest/tabid/10244/default.aspx?id=52593
THE Bulldogs upset the Broncos in their last match-up just a few weeks ago at Suncorp Stadium… but an awful lot has happened since them. That victory was the Bulldogs’ best for the season; up against all odds, they powered home against the Broncos.
However, since then, they have lost Sonny Bill Williams to France. That, coupled with their adverse injury toll and dire position on the ladder, has seen the Bulldogs lose their desire to play.
They can’t wait for their end-of-season trip and although they put in a brave performance last week against Parramatta, it’s difficult to see the Bulldogs winning another game in 2008.
The only possible motivations for them are fending off the wooden spoon (which will be theirs if the Cowboys win just one more game) and sending out long-standing coach Steve Folkes a winner.
Folkes has been wearing the blue and white since 1978, first as one of their greatest ever players and then in his life as a premiership-winning coach.
Even so, the Broncos have so much more to play for. After last week’s golden-point special over the Titans, Brisbane snapped a losing streak and with the Roosters’ slide down the ladder, they are now genuine chances of breaking into the top four.
If Brisbane win their remaining two matches and the Roosters drop just one of theirs, the Broncos will host a home final.
Watch out Bulldogs: The master Darren Lockyer brushed off any suggestions that his ailing body is catching up to him when he destroyed the Titans last week.
In typical Lockyer fashion, the great man remained composed and alert when the game got tight and came up with the match-winning plays.
He is still the best game-breaker in the NRL and if the Bulldogs don’t treat him with respect, he will hurt them.
The age-old truth is don’t rush up on Darren Lockyer, but despite this well-known fact, teams still do it. Lockyer (6 line breaks and 6 try assists) proved last week in golden-point when the Titans rushed up on him on the last tackle that you just can’t do that sort of caper; he easily maneuvered around them and sent Greg Eastwood (4 line breaks and 4 tries) over for the winning try.
Even if the Bulldogs hang in there and play tough, Lockyer will be able to break the deadlock.
Watch out Broncos: Brisbane need to watch out for a player who isn’t wearing a jersey… a little invisible bloke called complacency.
There is no-one in the Bulldogs’ 17 who should cause them any significant trouble, but a laid-back attitude could see them have their pants pulled down for the second consecutive time this year against the ’Dogs.
Andrew Ryan (33 dominant tackles, 45 one-on-one tackles, 7 try savers) will be hungry and his work-rate will make the Broncos earn their victory. But apart from him, the Broncos have their measure right across the park.
Beware the little man in your ear who whispers ‘this game will be easy’, because that’s the Broncos’ only danger in this one.
Where the game will be won: In the first 20 minutes. You’ll be able to see after that who out of either side has come to play. If it’s Brisbane then it might be 20-0 after 20 minutes.
If the Bulldogs have come to play, it might only be Brisbane 10-0 after 20 minutes. It’s a question of how many for the Broncos this week – even if they’re terrible and the Bulldogs play their toenails off, the northerners should still prevail.
With Karmichael Hunt (7 line breaks) at fullback, Lockyer and Wallace (7 line-break assists) in the halves and the likes of Hannant, Carroll, Thaiday and Ennis in the forward pack, they should have too much for the Bulldogs.
History: The two sides have played 37 matches, with the Broncos holding a 21-15 advantage, with one drawn match. At ANZ Stadium, the Broncos hold a 4-3 advantage. However the Bulldogs have won their past two meetings.
Conclusion: The Bulldogs will probably have a good crack in this game, but sadly they just don’t have the personnel on the field and the will to win to beat a team with top-four aspirations.
They will do their best for ‘Folkesy’ in his last home game, but as was seen against lesser opposition in the Eels last week, even their best wasn’t good enough. They could all use a holiday (just not to France perhaps). And they’ll come back better for it in 2009.
Sideline Officials: Referee – Jared Maxwell; Sideline officials – Rod Lawrence & Peter Kirby. Video ref – Graeme West.
Televised: Channel 9 – Delayed 4.00pm; Fox Sports 2 – Delayed 6.00pm.
* Stats: NRL Stats
