BULLDOGS v SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHSMonday 13th April, 7.00pm
ANZ Stadium
Referees: Ashley Klein, Brett Suttor
HEAD TO HEADBulldogs 70 wins, Rabbitohs 62 wins
FORM GUIDE
Bulldogs: WWLW
Rabbitohs: WLWWThe top-of-the-table Rabbitohs take on the impressive Bulldogs in a crunch Monday night clash between two of Sydney’s best NRL teams.
South Sydney have made a dream start to the 2009 season, despite a glitch against the inconsistent Eels. Last week’s win in Auckland was a lesson in defensive grit – coming away with the win despite doing a huge amount of defensive work against the Warriors in front of a patriarchal New Zealand crowd.
It was the biggest sign yet that the Rabbitohs are top-eight material this season.
The Bulldogs also look like finals contenders, looking strong despite already facing a couple of hurdles – namely the 14th-man fiasco and the standing down of three players over an off-field incident last week.
Lee Te Maari is out of action again this week, but it’s the new faces that have laid the platform for the Canterbury club’s success – Michael Ennis, Brett Kimmorley, David Stagg and Ben Hannant. Skipper Andrew Ryan and veteran Luke Patten are also back to their best.
There’s next to nothing between these teams – it should be a cracker.
KEY MATCH UPS
Michael Ennis v Isaac Luke
Ennis was in everything for the Bulldogs last week, and looks like the best of the club’s new acquisitions. The classy hooker is a great defender, strong out of dummy half and gives Brett Kimmorley another playmaking option.
Luke isn’t an 80-minute player like Ennis (the Rabbitohs young gun gets about 50 minutes a week) but the pocket rocket is just as dangerous when darting out of dummy half. With much of the Rabbitohs’ game plan relying on halves Chris Sandow and John Sutton, Luke provides an extra threat in the centre of the park and is capable of moments of brilliance that can turn a game.
Brett Kimmorley v Chris Sandow
The kicking games of these two sides will be crucial, and the two halfbacks will have a big role to play in the territorial battle.
Both have relied on men outside them to create try-scoring plays so far this year, but if one of Kimmorley or Sandow can stand up and have a blinder it could turn the game their team’s way.
PUNTERS GUIDE
Head to head: Bulldogs $1.90; Rabbitohs $1.90
The Bulldogs were wooden spooners last season and the Bunnies were also-rans, but no longer. Both these clubs will be pushing for finals spots this year, with Souths leading the way after four rounds.
It makes this game very tough to pick… We’ll lean towards the Rabbitohs, who can prove they’re the real deal in 2009 with a win here.
CASUALTY WARD
Bulldogs: Jarrad Hickey – back (Rnd 7)
Rabbitohs: Rhys Wesser – knee (Rnd 6), Shaune Corrigan – leg (Rnd 18)
BAD BOYS
Bulldogs: -
Rabbitohs: -
TEAM LISTS
BULLDOGS: Luke Patten, Hazem El Masri, Josh Morris, Daryl Millard, Bryson Goodwin, Ben Roberts, Brett Kimmorley, Ben Hannant, Michael Ennis, Michael Hodgson, Gary Warburton, Andrew Ryan (capt), David Stagg. Interchange: Matt Utai, Chris Armit, Greg Eastwood, Yileen Gordon
RABBITOHS: Luke Capewell, Nathan Merritt, Colin Best, Beau Champion, Fetuli Talanoa, John Sutton, Chris Sandow, Luke Stuart, Issac Luke, Roy Asotasi (capt), Ben Lowe, Shannan McPherson, David Fa'alogo. Interchange: Craig Wing, Eddy Pettybourne, Jaiman Lowe, David Kidwell
