R25 FNF - North Queensland v Bulldogs

[Timmah]

FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL

NORTH QUEENSLAND v BULLDOGS
Dairy Farmers Stadium, Kirwan QLD :: Friday 31 August
Gates open 3:45pm, Arrive Alive Cup 4:00pm, QLD Cup Finals Series 5:15pm
First Grade Kickoff 7:30pm

TV Live on Nine, Check Local Guides.
Web LeagueUnlimited LIVE UPDATE
Radio 2GB Full Game Call, ABC Radio Full Game Call

GET TICKETS HERE.

Shayne Hayne
Sideline Officials: Rod Lawrence, Tony De Las Heras
Video Referee: Tim Mander

North Queensland lineup
1. Matt Bowen
2. Ty Williams, 3. Ashley Graham, 4. Paul Bowman, 5. Neil Sweeney
6. Justin Smith, 7. Johnathan Thurston (c)
8. Matt Scott, 9. Aaron Payne, 10. Carl Webb
11. Sam Faust, 12. Matthew Bartlett
13. Mark Henry

Int - 14. David Faiumu, 15. Jason Smith, 16. Jacob Lillyman, 17. Ray Cashmere
18. Ben Farrar

Bulldogs lineup
1. Luke Patten
2. Hazem El Masri, 3. Daryl Millard, 4. Willie Tonga, 5. Matt Utai
6. Ben Roberts, 7. Brent Sherwin
8. Mark O’Meley, 9. Corey Hughes, 10. Chris Armit
11. Sonny Bill Williams, 12. Andrew Ryan (c)
13. Reni Maitua

Int - 14. Adam Perry, 15. Nick Kouparitsas, 17. Jarrad Hickey, 20. Willie Mason
​

LOWER GRADES
QLD CUP Young Guns MAJOR SEMI FINAL v Redcliffe, 5:15pm
PREMIER LEAGUE Bulldogs v Bears, NSO - Fri 7:00pm
JERSEY FLEGG Bulldogs v Bears, NSO - Fri 5:30pm

 

[CowMan]

Now this game will be a Cracker

 

[jimmy_the_greek]

good to see that we have Mason and Utai back, should be a good game though.

 

[Shorty]

Hmmmm!

 

[CowMan]

i wouldnt mind Dogs winning this game cos playing Broncos Rabbitohs or eels week 1 would be Much better then playing dogs back 2 back

 

[ouwet]

i wouldnt mind Dogs winning this game cos playing Broncos Rabbitohs or eels week 1 would be Much better then playing dogs back 2 back

I wouldn't mind it as well

 

[lockyno1]

Cowboys, easily

 

[THE STOCKY DOG]

ur dreaming lockyno1, dogs will bounce back after last weeks poor effort .........

 

[lockyno1]

Not without Holdsworth they won't. Like it or not he is cruicial to the team dynamics. Roberts>9, Holdsworth>6, drop Perry he is useless!

 

[wittyfan]

Still no Cuts.

 

[EvolutionUber]

Cowboys are paying $2.90

 

[CowMan]

I wouldn't mind it as well

but i dont think it will happen

 

[gong_eagle]

Cowboys v Bulldogs preview

Wednesday, August 29, 2007

http://nrl.com/News/MatchReports/MatchReportsArticle/tabid/336/NewsId/6807/Default.aspx It’s hard to believe but the currently fifth-placed Bulldogs can actually miss the finals altogether if they are beaten heavily in Townsville – yet if they grab a win they are still a hope of finishing fourth and hosting a home final.
We already know the Cowboys will host the second of four matches in week one of the upcoming final series but the fact they can’t be ousted from third spot in this last round will not dampen their hunger for a win.
But obviously the stakes are a little higher for the ’Dogs. Here’s how it could play out:
If the ’Dogs win they could finish anywhere between fourth and seventh but if they lose it could be anywhere between fifth and ninth.
To make the top four they need to win and maintain a better points differential than Parramatta (who are seven differential points behind) and Souths (30 differential points behind) should those two teams also win – and of course they need the fourth-placed Warriors to lose to Penrith.
To miss the finals they would need to lose by around 30 points and the Wests Tigers would need a 40+ points win over Newcastle.
The Broncos would also need to beat the Eels but not by too much and the Rabbitohs would need to either win or just have a better differential after a close loss.
So while it is unlikely they’ll miss the cut, stranger things have happened in this sport and it should ensure the ’Dogs come to play.
They welcome back two big names for the clash after being humbled by the Storm last weekend – Willie Mason comes onto the bench for Fred Briggs while Matt Utai takes Cameron Phelps’ spot on the wing.
The Cowboys have kept the same side that disposed of the Knights last weekend, just adding Ben Farrar to an extended bench.
The match is a massive milestone for Paul Bowman – he becomes the first player to reach 200 games for the club and will want a big performance in front of the fans that have seen him play at the club since its inception.
Watch out Cowboys: Big Willie is back. Mason has been cooling his heels for weeks due to a wrist injury but he returns just in time for the Bulldogs’ finals assault and the fact he’s starting on the bench will just make him hungrier for Cowboys blood when he gets out there.
His average 142 metres gained a match is the best of the Bulldogs this season.
Watch out Bulldogs: We’ve all seen how devastating Johnathan Thurston and Matt Bowen can be… but with the Cowboys’ ladder position secured they’ll be able to play with even more reckless abandon!
Bowen now has 21 tries and 29 line breaks this season as well as 193 tackle breaks while Thurston has 27 try assists and 28 line break assists.
With little consequence on the line, these two could wow the Bulldogs and league fans alike more than we believed possible.
Where it will be won: Attitude and commitment to the cause. The Bulldogs will obviously turn up to play as so much is at stake so if the Cowboys fall into their shell they will be steamrolled.
It is easy to take your foot off the accelerator when the game is of little significance – players start to worry about injuries and are already thinking of finals football but Graham Murray needs to do his best to eradicate this.
Finals football is much easier if you come into it with momentum and a heavy loss could derail the Cowboys before they even begin.
The History: Played 21; Cowboys 6, Bulldogs 15. The Cowboys may have won four of the past six between the two clubs but believe it or not they have only beaten the Bulldogs once in 10 attempts at Dairy Farmer Stadium. It’s a venue the ’Dogs hardly fear.
Conclusion: The Bulldogs have a great record at Dairy Farmers, they need a win to guarantee a finals berth and they have Willie Mason and Matt Utai back. The Cowboys finish third regardless.
While Paul Bowman’s impressive milestone provides some motivation you get the feeling the Bulldogs will be hungrier and as such could bounce back from their loss to Melbourne to claim a spot in the finals.
Match officials: Referee – Shayne Hayne; Sideline Officials – Rod Lawrence & Tony De Las Heras; Video ref – Tim Mander.
Televised: Channel Nine – Live 7.30pm (NSW & Qld); Foxsports 3 – Delayed 11.30pm
* Statistics: NRL Stats.

 

[jimmy_the_greek]

Preview: Cowboys v Bulldogs

Walking Wounded:
The Cowboys go into the final premiership round with a full-strength backline, however key forwards Luke O'Donnell (hamstring), Steve Southern (shoulder/broken ankle), Sione Faumuina (suspension) and Shane Tronc (knee) all remain season causalities. Coach Graham Murray has resisted the temptation of resting some of his stars with the finals almost upon us.
Massive news for the Bulldogs with star forward Willie Mason returning to the fold from a wrist injury that has kept him out since round 19. He has been named on the interchange bench but may start after reports that Mark O'Meley may be a late withdrawal through injury. Fred Briggs will come on to the bench if O'Meley is out. Winger Matt Utai makes his long-awaited return to the top-grade from a knee injury.

Form:
Despite a points differential of -77, the Cowboys have secured third place on the premiership table and a prized home final in week one of the play-offs. Their 34-18 win over the Knights last week, coupled with favourable results in other games, ensures coach Graham Murray of a relatively stress-free week knowing that the result of Friday night's clash with the Bulldogs is of little significance for his side. They haven't been setting the world on fire of late, but have still won four on the trot. Winning form is good form as they say.
The Bulldogs crashed out of the top-four at the weekend courtesy of that 6-38 pummeling at the hands of league leaders, the Storm. They were in the game for a long stretch before capitulating in a second half that saw Melbourne pile on 30 unanswered points in a 22-minute period. The Dogs missed 49 tackles and lacked any sort of penetration in attack on their way to defeat number eight at home this season. They must now defeat the Cowboys and hope other results go their way in order to make the top-four.

Who's Hot:
Matt Bowen continues to amaze, producing yet another dazzling performance against the Knights at the weekend. The brilliant custodian scored a scintillating solo try, made several line-breaks and finished with 254m from 16 runs. It must be neck and neck at the top of Dally M table between Bowen and the Tigers' Robbie Farah.
Sonny Bill Williams was one of few Bulldogs players to impress against the Storm, making 181m from 19 hit-ups and 24 tackles. He has enjoyed a brilliant second half of the season.

We Think
The Cowboys may have Thurston and Bowen in their side, but their impact will be minimalised if the Bulldogs forward pack, buoyed by the return of big Willie Mason, can play to its unlimited potential. We must take into consideration that the Cowboys are missing three of their better defensive forwards and could well lack the desperation of the Bulldogs simply due to the fact they have already sewn up a place in the top-four. The full-strength Doggies will have plenty to play for and will be stung by last week's hammering. Bulldogs by 14.

source: Sportal.com.au

 

[Bman26]

O'meley gone.

 

[jimmy_the_greek]

Briggs will be his replacement.

 

[gong_eagle]

Bulldogs plan for Webb


Article from:
By James Phelps
August 31, 2007

http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,22335212-5006066,00.html
BULLDOGS lock Reni Maitua last night lit the fuse for an explosive clash at Dairy Farmers Stadium tonight when he declared the Bulldogs were looking to take fiery Cowboys forward Carl Webb "out of the game".
Returning Test enforcer Willie Mason and the Dogs pack will square off against the in-form Webb and the Cowboys in a match that could decide the top-four.
Maitua last night predicted Mason's comeback from a wrist injury would add instant starch to the Bulldogs pack before revealing the boys from Belmore would be looking to take Webb out - with copybook defence rather than foul play.
"Carl Webb has been breaking the line a fair bit so we have to take him out of the game," Maitua said.
"We have been watching plenty of video and he has been playing really well.
"We have to make sure we stop him by hitting him around the legs and making sure we limit his go-forward."
The Bulldogs' goal was yesterday delivered a major blow, however, when Test prop Mark O'Meley was forced to withdraw with a quadriceps injury.
Maitua warned big Mason was fired up after spending five weeks on the sidelines.
"Willie has been pretty relaxed this week but I am sure in his own mind he is pretty pumped," Maitua said. "He hasn't said too much and we don't want to put too much pressure on him, but come Friday night he will be very fired up.
"But we are all fired up.
"It was very disappointing the way we lost to Melbourne last week and we want to prove that all the work we have done this season hasn't been for nothing."
Maitua said Mason's return had lifted the team ahead of the tonight's match, a week after the Dogs were humbled by the Storm 38-6 at Telstra Stadium.
"Willie is a great character and it has been good to have him back this week," Maitua said. "He adds some size back into our pack along with his character.
"It really lifts us having him back. He is really inspiration on the field and he gets up you if you do something wrong. He is a leader and he makes sure you are doing your job."
While the Bulldogs have a plan to stop Webb, Maitua admitted the side would have a hard time containing Cowboys' livewires Johnathan Thurston and Matt Bowen. "I don't not what the key is to stopping those two," Maitua said.
"They are both great players and will be hard to contain. We just have to be confident when they are coming at us and make sure we get them to the ground."
A dejected O'Meley is hopeful of returning next week should the Bulldogs make the semi-finals.
"I'm very disappointed," O'Meley said. "I wanted to play and thought I could, but the doctor told me a had no power in my leg.
"I strained it in a warm-up for last week's game. I am sure it will be OK next week."

 

[Timmah]

Statistically speaking (from Big League magazine)

Head to head
Overall 21... Bulldogs 15-6
DFS 10... Bulldogs 9-1

Last met
North Queensland 26-16 at Suncorp, 2007

Big wins
North Queensland 48-12 at Carrara, 2005
Bulldogs 62-4 at Belmore, 1995

Grand Finals
Never met


Betting TAB Sportsbet
Bulldogs 1.60 North Queensland 2.25

 

[steven_tiger]

Cows to win.

 

[Shorty]

O'meley's not going to be completely missed,Mason is returning so I think that will make up for it.

There's rumours that Murray is resting players,anyone got any news on that?