NRL Round 19 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs v Parramatta Eels Preview

A great Sydney derby features on Friday Night Footy as the high flying Bulldogs play host to the woeful Parramatta Eels at ANZ Stadium. The Bulldogs are the form team of the competition as in recent weeks they have displayed some fantastics attacking and solid defensive rugby league. They now sit in second place and are only two points behind the Storm. Not only that, they find themselves in top spot on the NRL Power Rankings. Their forwards have great direction in and around the ruck and are really testing the effectiveness of teams defensive lines with opportunistic ball movement. This has even stretched out and used the backs as not only support players, but also as a link to players on the edges. It has made some great viewing. But attack isn't the only thing in the game of rugby league, and to be a team that has the capabilities of winning the competition, you have to also have a very good defensive game. The Bulldogs definitely have that. They hit hard in defence and their outside men seemingly push up and in very well to cut off a movement to the outside backs. Parramatta might learn a few things in this game. They are out to resurrect what was a diabolical performance against the Sea Eagles where they found themselves down 40-nil at one point in the game. Questions need to be asked of this club because their play suggests that they are not being led very well from the top of the club, down to the junior ranks. If it becomes and worse, heads will roll. Coach Stephen Kearny needs to start making the tough calls on players who are under performing and perhaps "blood" some youngsters with an eye focussed on the future. But then again, he must be pretty uneasy about his. It is a shame that these teams sit at opposite ends of the table but be sure, this game always produces a high level of rugby league. Maybe Parramatta will come out and play like a completely different team from the one that took the field last week. But then again, I think the carbon tax disappearing is a more likely option.

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
The Bulldogs have named an unchanged lineup from the one that beat the Tigers last week, right down to the 18th man, Josh Jackson. Presumably he will be the player that misses out again this week. The Bulldogs will be looking to put as many points past Parramatta as possible. The best thing about the Bulldogs this season is that they have had to use small amount of players from their roster. It has been very consistent and their big players have always backed up when needed. Ben Barba is a player that has come of age this season. He was always great in attack but this season he has gone to a new level and has become scintillating at the back for the Dogs. But now his defence is becoming a major part of his game. There have been games this season where he has made try saving tackles and now he is not only scoring tries, but saving them as well. His reliability under the high ball has also improved. The Tigers continued to throw the bomb up his way but he now has confidence when catching it and that provides even great stability at the back. Also worth a special mention performance wise is Josh Reynolds. He is the player that is doing the little things on the field and is now finally being noticed for it. His confidence is high and he is leading the team around the park very well. He gets the ball to Morris and the rest of the outside backs when needed. It has also taken a lot of pressure of Michael Ennis who can concentrate on leading their monster forwards around the field and being a real leader in defence.
  

Parramatta Eels
With Jarryd Hayne still injured, late inclusion to the team on the weekend, Jake Mullaney is named to start in just his second NRL game. You would've thought that with such an embarrassing loss at the hands of the Sea Eagles that coach Stephen Kearny would name a lineup that has a raft of changes. Not the case. Cheyse Blair is dropped back to NSW Cup and Willie Tonga is named for him. Ben Smith is dropped from the team altogether and Reni Maitua comes into the starting lineup at lock. Justin Poore is also a player that is dropped and coming in for him from the bench is FuiFui Moimoi. Taulima Tautai and Tenisla Lasalo are also named on the bench this week. But if you look at the players that have remained in recent years when Parramatta have struggled, none of them have been dropped. The worse Parramatta performances also seem to occur when Nathan Hindmarsh is off the field and on the weekend, he remained on the sidelines for 30minutes of the game. Defence is important for the Eels so why these puzzling moves? Only the coach has the answers but the players must start taking some responsibility for their efforts on the field.

Recent History
Overall = Bulldogs 69 - Drawn 5 - Eels 57
Last 5 games  = Bulldogs 3 - Eels 2
At ANZ Stadium = Bulldogs 9 - Eels 8

Odds
TAB Sportsbet = Bulldogs $1.12 Eels $6.50
Centrebet = Bulldogs $1.13 Eels $6.35
Sportbet = Bulldogs $1.14 Eels $6.00
Betfair = Bulldogs $1.15 Eels $6.40

Verdict
A grudge match is traditional a close and bruising encounter. But this game will be different. If the Eels win this, it would be the highlight of their season and the Bulldogs will take a hit to their confidence, but more importantly, their pride. Their will be the obvious challenge for the Bulldog players of finding motivation for this clash, as is always the case when a high flying team faces a lowly placed team. But no doubt Bulldogs coach Des Hasler will definitely not let this happen. If the Bulldogs are a serious premiership contender, they should put the Eels away early in this game. They need to dominate them in every area of the game and ensure that the Eels woeful season continues. The Bulldogs will be very short, but its a direct reflection of their great play this year. 

Suggested Bet
Bulldogs 13+ @ $1.50


Bite off more = Bulldogs -18.5 @ $1.90 or Bulldogs 19+ @ $1.90 - They're the same bet but are in different markets. Watch the markets in the lead up to the game as there could be a change in one that will make it better odds. But if you think that this match will be a walk over then go ahead and back this. 


First try in the colours? = Sam Perrett First and/or Last Try @ $9 - He debuted for the Bulldogs last week after a mid season transfer and is yet to cross the line for them. So perhaps he could be a good player to consider with so many other Bulldogs players being very short in the market. 


Good luck!
Scooby
@scoobystips