Bulldogs v Panthers Match Discussion Thread *Spoilers*

[Timmah]

NRL ROUND ONE
BULLDOGS PENRITH PANTHERS
Telstra Stadium, Saturday March 11
Bulldogs: Luke Patten, Hazem El Masri, Reni Matua, Willie Tonga, Matt Utai, Daniel Holdsworth, Brent Sherwin, Chris Armit, Corey Hughes, Roy Asotasi, Willie Mason, Andrew Ryan (c), Tony Grimaldi
Interchange: Adam Perry, Mark O'Meley, Nate Myles, Andrew Emilio

Panthers: Rhys Wesser, Lee Hookey, Danny Galea, Luke Lewis, Nick Youngquest, Preston Campbell, Craig Gower, Joel Clinton, Luke Priddis, Craig Stapleton, Matthew Cross, Tony Puletua (c), Shane Rodney
Interchange: Frank Puletua, Bryan Norrie, Luke Swain, Mark O'Halloran

Referee: Sean Hamptstead


Kickoff is 7:30pm.
Match comments and spoilers right here ;-)

 

[Timmah]

C'arn Doggiess!!!!

 

[thuganomics]

Can't wait to watch Tonga back in action. Prediction - at least 2 tries for Tonga.

 

[ByRd]

Cmon doggies, i cant wait to head out to Telstra, bring it on. And with Tonga, i cant wait to see him again, since rnd 9 last year...its been a while

 

[Big_Bad_Shark_Fan]

it is important for both sides to start on the right foot (with a win) , after last years pathetic performances.
so this is a big game

 

[Timmah]

Wish I could get out there tonight.

Definitely hitting up there next Friday for the game.

 

[Timmah]

Pathetic doesn't even begin to describe Cronulla ;-)

Go the BYE!

 

[Big_Bad_Shark_Fan]

we are 2nd atm dodge

 

[Timmah]

:lol:

 

[sunny]

Go The Dogs!

 

[Captain_Col]

I'm predicting the Panthers to cause an upset. They have the wood on the bulldogs in the halves.

 

[aenima1]

I'm predicting the Panthers to cause an upset. They have the wood on the bulldogs in the halves.

you're probably right about them having the better halves at the moment but look at the forwards, the dogs pack should run right over the top of the panthers pack.

 

[Munky]

Penrith have one of the strongest 'spines' (to use R69's term) in the NRL. Our halves, hooker and fullback are all top class.

The starting Panthers pack is quite good.

Matt Cross was awesome at the end of last year. One of the main reasons we won 5 on the trot.

Rodney is my fave player and I expect him to hang onto the 13 jersey for the rest of the season, he plays alot like Steve Menzies.

The bench is the issue.

 

[Big_Bad_Shark_Fan]

this will be a cracker of a game. so many questions have to be answered. are these two former premiers of the modern era able to contest the crown in 2005? do the dogs have enough attacking prowess without braith anasta (former bulldogs five eigth)? how will boom kid mark o'halloran go in his return game to the nrl after a two year absence? can these two injurie scathed teams get through ok?

 

[thuganomics]

are these two former premiers of the modern era able to contest the crown in 2005?

Such a hard question....

 

[Timmah]

BBSF, I've said it already... stop trying to sound sensationalist or intelligent - you suck.

 

[Big Mick]

If the backline can hold out....not concede too many tries and score a couple...we got a chance...we can match it in the forwards and I think the Campbell, Gower and Wesser combination may get us over the line...HOWEVER

If the Dogs spread the ball and Tonga and Matuia start making breaks like crazy...then it will be a long night for the Panther boys and the Dogs could put 40 on us....remember..>Dogs blitzed Dragons last year...started awsome then faded...we are slow starters...always have been. Havn't won a first round match since what...2000?

I'm not expecting to win..if Waterhouse, Pritchard and Rooney were there i'd be confident but seeing as they arn't i'm not very confident, I just hope we don't get shalackeled so our confidence isn't too stuffed up.

 

[Timmah]

I have a bad feeling that tonight will go to the Panthers... but I'm 100% behind my boys anyway.

Go the DOGS!

 

[League Freak™]

I just have a bad feeling about tonight.

The Panthers have made a habit of starting the season off poorly.

I hope we win....would be a nice way to end the week.

 

[sunny]

I think we have more quality and continuity than the Panthers and that will help us get over the top.