Round 7 - A Much Needed Win

With two teams who were tipped to make the eight, who are both underperforming this was going to be an important game for both teams, perhaps a kick start to their season. Thankfully the Bulldogs won, but more of a loss for the sharks than a win for the Bulldogs. 4 completely bombed tries in the game, their error count was shockingly high and as a result completions incredibly low.

Todd Carney’s return really seemed to lift the Sharks, despite their inability to complete tries, he looked good all game. Possibly fired up for the possibility of missing out on origin? He set up a break down the wing, but a shocking pass led to a knock on. Hodkinson also played well at Halfback for the Bulldogs, setting up Perret on the wing with a beautifully placed bomb for the first try of the match. Then on the other wing, Beau Ryan and his Lewis were on a break but Ryan was up too far and Lewis just threw it over the sideline. Shocking stuff, that was their second try gone begging.

Shortly after Ennis put in a grubber that rebounded off a Shark’s player, ended up with Barba who offloaded for Mitch Brown to score one of the easiest tries of his career. Halftime score 12-2 to the Bulldogs. Just after half time Lewis and (Wade) Graham combined to score a try, and a halfway decent one at that. 10 minutes later another botched try, Paul Gallen drops the ball when he only had Barba to beat, 3 metres out from the line. I’ve never been so glad I don’t support the sharks.

Then the Dogs went into score their third, Mitch Brown was unmarked on the outside and all it took was a quick play the ball and two passes to send him in to score. What also looked like a sure try from Cronulla, two on one on Perett’s wing, but instead Perett plucked it out of the air and went in to score. Final Score 24-8.

[Mick Ennis the captain of the Bulldogs on Sunday Afternoon. Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/image/4656056-3x2-940x627.jpg]

The game saw a slight (note the use of the word slight) return to form for Tony Williams. He made his first line break of the season (gasp!) and some pretty solid metres. Onya T-Rex. And next week marks the return of James Graham and the possibility of Sam Kasiano. This dynamic duo was what really put the Bulldogs a notch above the rest last season, and hopefully they come out guns blazing. Kasiano might not be fit but let’s hope to god it’s not a repeat of his early 2012 season. I’ve heard Keating was able to return this week but the coach decided to ensure he was fit. On the back of Hodkinson’s performance, I’d really like to see him play instead of Keating. Sure he did shocking vs. the Roosters, but almost everyone did really.

I’m also wondering if both Graham and Kasiano return who would be dropped, the bench as it stands is Finucane, Halatau, Tim Browne and Pritchard, although Pritchard was moved into the starting squad and Jackson to the bench at the last minute. I’m going to assume they’d drop Browne and Halatau, Halatau almost for sure but Browne has been playing well. It’ll be interesting to see where Hasler takes it. And I’m about to say what I’ve been saying for what seems like forever now, this should allow Tony Williams to play less minutes and be more dynamic when he is on the field.

Next Friday at ANZ Bulldogs vs. Tigers, if we can’t win that then there’s something really wrong. They’ve got about 7 injuries and no halves that have first grade experience (off the top of my head, anyway). Stay tuned anyway, the post should come on Saturday night. Watch this space!

 - Daniel Arthur