Wait a minute...are you telling me that is is not time for SOO? Oh that's right, there is the spectacle of MNF to get through first before shifting focus towards Origin. We travel across to Homebush (the only Sydney game this weekend not at a suburban ground) to see the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs host the Cronulla Sharks. Both teams have had very different seasons compared to the expectations that were held for both coming in 2012. The Bulldogs recruited star coach Des Hasler to their ranks and set their sights on a top 8 finish, but after a very inconsistent season, they find themselves in the middle of the table. It is still early in the season, yet they have suffered injuries to key parts of their team. On the positive, they have played some very entertaining football this season and have looked a much better team compared to seasons gone by. Then you have the Sharks. Something happened in the offseason down in the south that coach Shane Flanagan should be credited with. This season the Sharks have looked like men possessed! Possessed by good footballing ability and playing outstanding football. Full credit must go to everyone involved with the clubs because it has been a shift in their overall attitude that has worked wonders. In games this year they could have easily thrown in the towel and been beaten when they should have won. But not this year. The two games that spring to mind is their two recent games, a loss to Souths and a win over the Storm (the Storms first loss this season). Against the Bunnies, they kept coming and coming and coming; and many suggest that if it wasn't for a 5-star performance from Greg Inglis, the Sharks might've won. They then handed the Storm their first loss of the season in front of their home fans and minus inspirational captain Paul Gallen. They grounded out a tough victory beating them 12-10. Enter Todd Carney. He has been on fire in recent weeks and has been a major factor to the Sharks winning close games this season. But due to SOO duty, both those players miss out and others must step into the fold to overcome the Dogs at home.
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs - WWWLWLLLWL (Streak - 1 loss)
The Dogs go into this game after suffering an embarrassing loss to the Gold Coast Titans last week. They were very inconsistent in parts of the game and were a victim of poor handling errors and lack of application in defence. The Titans were brimming with confidence and did get a sniff of a victory early on and went on with the job from there. Des Hasler definitely has his work cut out for him this season as he has not had the added benefit of recruiting players that he wants at the club. Josh Morris is away on SOO duty and Luke McDougall takes his place in the centres. Sam Kasiano is playing this week after miraculously escaping suspension on a grade one dangerous contact charge. David Stagg has been named but is under an injury cloud coming into this one and Martin Taupau could come in for him. There is some talk around that their injured half Trent Hodkinson could make a surprise comeback early from injury so keep an eye out for that one. It would certainly be a big boost for their team if he was. Michael Ennis will be out to play a great game after missing out on SOO and having his form questioned, as well as certain people suggesting that he is playing injured.
Cronulla Sharks - LLWWWWWWLW (Streak - 1 win)
As mentioned above, the Sharks have been a remarkably different team this season. They do suffer a major blow this week with their two star players Todd Carney and Paul Gallen out on SOO duty. Last week coach Shane Flanagan called upon Wade Graham to fill Gallens boots at lock and now he asks him to step into the 5/8 role. Graham is no stranger to the halves and did start his career there before being shifted to the back row after putting on some decent size to cope with the rigours of the NRL season. Sam Tagataese moves into the second row and Jeremy Smith goes to lock and also assumes the captaincy. Special mention has to go to Jeff Robson at 7 as he is to be credited with steering the Sharks around the park this season with great direction. He has also had great support from Isaac De Gois at hooker. Both will play tomorrow night and will be a good combination to fall back on should the going get tough. They beat the Storm last week without Gallen and now have no Carney, but each time the Sharks have been questioned this season, more often than not, they have proved people wrong.
Recent History
Last 5 = Bulldogs 4 Sharks 1
At ANZ Stadium = Bulldogs 4 Sharks 3
Odds
TAB Sportsbet - Bulldogs $1.42 Sharks $2.75
Centrebet - Bulldogs $1.48 Sharks $2.72
Sportsbet - Bulldogs $1.48 Sharks $2.72
Verdict
MNF is another tough one to pick. If the Bulldogs want to go anywhere this season, they must put their hand up and win this game. Although the odds are heavily favoured in their direction, Cronulla will be putting up a good fight. They have shown great application in defence this season and without Gallen it surely does weaken the middle, but they were like this last week against an undefeated team. The Sharks will be putting their hand up for the job again this week. The Bulldogs will be looking to beat the Sharks through the middle of the field. They are very strong in this area and certainly have the forwards to sway the contest in their favour. But with what I have seen from the Sharks this year, it is hard to go past them for a victory.
Suggested Bet
Sharks +5.5 @ $2.10
Or
Sharks win @ $2.75
Good luck!
Scooby
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