SATURDAY, JUNE 22nd, 2024 INDUSTREE GROUP STADIUM,GOSFORD.
Roosters and Bulldogs Battle for Top-Eight Spot
The Sydney Roosters and Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs aim to secure a spot in the top eight as they clash without their representative stars on Saturday evening.
Roosters’ Strong Home Record at Gosford
Opting to move a home game to the Central Coast for the 18th time in two decades, the Sydney Roosters will rate their chances of downing their in-form rivals despite missing a host of players to representative duties.
Key Players for the Roosters
Coach Trent Robinson has drafted in Dominic Young, Brandon Smith, Blake Steep, Sitili Tupouniua, and Siua Wong to replace the unavailable quartet of Angus Crichton, Connor Watson, Spencer Leniu, and Lindsay Collins, as well as the injured Michael Jennings, from the team that defeated the Eels 28-18 last Saturday.
Under Robinson’s leadership, the Roosters boast an impressive record of 15 wins from 20 matches against the Bulldogs, and have secured nine wins from 15 games played without their representative stars prior to Origin.
ROOSTERS
1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Fetalaiga Pauga 4. Joseph Manu, 5. Dominic Young 6. Luke Keary 7. Sam Walker 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, 9. Brandon Smith 10. Terrell May 11. Nat Butcher 12. Victor Radley 13. Naufahu Whyte, 14. Sandon Smith 15. Blake Steep 16. Sitili Tupouniua 17. Siua Wong 18. Ethan King , 19. Dylan Napa 20. Tyler Moriarty 21. Hugo Savala 22. Salesi Foketi
Bulldogs’ Resurgence and Challenges
Fresh off a bye and brimming with confidence not seen at the club for some time, the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs aim to secure four consecutive wins for the first time this decade.
Currently sitting in the top eight midway through the season for the first time in eight years, coach Cameron Ciraldo has had to make changes due to the unavailability of Stephen Crichton (NSW), Kurt Mann (suspension), and Jacob Preston (injury). Jeral Skelton, Jake Turpin, and Poasa Fa’amausili have been brought into the team.
The Bulldogs have struggled without their representative stars since Des Hasler’s tenure, winning only two out of seven games, but managed to defeat the Knights under similar circumstances earlier this season.
Having won seven of their 11 visits to Gosford historically, the Bulldogs will be aiming to secure back-to-back victories over the Roosters for the first time in eight years.
BULLDOGS
1. Connor Tracey 2. Jeral Skelton 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Jacob Kiraz , 5. Blake Wilson 6. Matt Burton 7. Toby Sexton 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney , 10. Samuel Hughes 11. Josh Curran 12. Jaeman Salmon 13. Bailey Hayward, 14. Jake Turpin 15. Poasa Faamausili 16. Kurtis Morrin 17. Lipoi Hopoi 19. Drew Hutchison, 20. Blake Taaffe 21. Eli Clark 22. Harry Hayes 23. Viliame Kikau
Referee. Grant Atkins, Touch Judges, Drew Oultram, Jon Stone. Bunker. Peter Gough.
Prediction
Earning a recall after watching last week from the side lines, Brandon Smith will be determined to atone for failing to attend a mid-year review with a starring performance. Amidst significant media speculation about his future at the club and potential move to the Rabbitohs following Damian Cook’s decision to join St George, the 28-year-old New Zealand representative is eager to silence his critics and outplay Reed Mahoney in a crucial personal duel. Known for his destructive ball-running ability despite weighing under 100 kilograms, Smith aims to surpass his average of 61 running meters to help the Roosters secure two valuable premiership points.
Overlooked for NSW after acting as 18th man in three of the past four Origin matches, Matt Burton will be raring to back up his efforts against the Roosters from earlier in the season. Collecting a hat-trick when the two sides met in rain-drenched conditions at the start of April, the 24-year-old has been a leading figure in the Bulldogs resurgence with eight tries, four try-assists and 91 running metres on average each week. Possessing a kicking game capable of terrorising opposition backlines, expect Burton to wield his trademark bomb with regularity on Saturday evening.
I think the Roosters will be to good, and with a strong bench.
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