GIANT KILLING DOGS OUT FOR COWBOYS SCALP
The Mitsubishi Electric Bulldogs travel to Carrara Stadium on the Gold Coast this Friday night to take on the North Queensland Cowboys. The depleted Bulldogs will be keen to repeat their giant killing win from last week against the Storm when they meet the highly-fancied Cowboys.
The Cowboys have gone from fairytale story in 2004 to a genuine premiership contender. Six North Queensland players wore the Queensland jumper in Origin I, indicating just how talented their ranks are.
With 8 positions separating the two sides many experts would assume that the talented Cowboys would have their way with the depleted Dogs, but as has been shown over the past month the rookie laden Bulldogs have been more than a match for some highly-fancied opponents.
A convincing win over the Eels and the Storm and narrow losses to the Broncos and the Sea Eagles have shown that the Defending premiers are not about to relinquish their title without having a dig. With coach Steve Folkes forced to elevate rookie after rookie the Dogs have responded to the challenge.
This Friday will be yet another challenge as the Dogs get a sniff of a top eight berth. The in-form halves pairing of Sherwin and Anasta continue to produce the goods and their direction has really brought the young rookies up to speed.
Point scoring whiz Hazem El Masri continues to shine leading the NRL point scoring tally with 116 points, 14 ahead of the next best, and second in try scoring with 10, 1 behind Shaun Berrigan. El Masri will once again be sniffing out a try, having scored a try in each of his last five games.
The Bulldogs will need to compete again up front where the big Cowboys pack will require some stopping. Roy Asotasi has been joined up front by Charlie Tonga who continues to impress each week. Tonga gets a start this week and will find fabulous support from the other rookies in the pack that performance so admirably against the Storm.
Captain Andrew Ryan returns from Origin duty and will add that extra experience to the Dogs pack.
The Cowboys will be led by former Bulldog Paul Rauhihi and in-form forwards Luke O'Donnell, Carl Webb, and Steven Southern. Big Shane Tronc add enormous size and power to an already big pack.
Another former Bulldog gets a chance to upstage his former team mates with half Johnathan Thurston looking to back-up from his first start in Origin footy. Thurston has been in excellent form taking on a strong leadership role with the Cowboys. The Bulldogs will need to nullify his influence along with the explosive Matt Bowen and Ty Williams.
Bulldogs fans can expect another big crowd as they host the Cowboys at Carrara Stadium on the Gold Coast. A sell out crowd of over 21,000 is expected for the Friday night game.
ROUND 12:
Friday 27 May, 2005
vs North Queensland Cowboys
Carrara Stadium, Gold Coast
Kick-Off: 7.30pm
Referee: Tim Mander
TV: Channel 9 (Delayed at 8.30pm aest)
THE TEAMS:
BULLDOGS:
1. Luke Patten
2. Hazem El Masri
3. Jamaal Lolesi
4. Cameron Phelps
5. Matt Utai
6. Braith Anasta
7. Brent Sherwin
8. Charlie Tonga
9. Adam Perry
10. Roy Asotasi
11. Brad Morrin
12. Andrew Ryan
13. Tony Grimaldi
Interchange
14. Adam Brideson
15. Dallas McIlwain
16. Chris Armit
17. Ben Czislowski
Coach: Steve Folkes
COWBOYS:
1. Matthew Bowen
2. Brenton Bowen
3. Ty Williams
4. Paul Bowman
5. Matt Sing
6. Johnathan Thurston
7. Chris Sheppard
8. Paul Rauhihi
9. Aaron Payne
10. Shane Tronc
11. Steven Southern
12. Carl Webb
13. Luke O'Donnell
Interchange
Rod Jensen
David Faiumu
Justin Smith
Mitchell Sargent
Neil Sweeney
