Bulldogs
Panthers
Preview
The most intriguing matchup of the round is saved until last as the stumbling Bulldogs take on the resurging Panthers.
The Panthers have won two in a row and desperately need to build on that momentum in a bid to surge into the top eight. There are several reshuffles in the line up this week, with Dylan Edwards coming into the side at fullback which sees Matt Moylan slot into the halves (following Bryce Cartwright’s injury) to pair with Nathan Cleary. Josh Mansour also comes into the side to strengthen their edge while Mitch Rein comes in for his first game as a Panther.
These changes could prove a handful for the Bulldogs who have lost their last three matches, who welcome back their Origin players in Brett Morris, David Klemmer and Josh Jackson.
A heart-breaking loss last week demoted them to 11th on the ladder – below the Panthers – and Des Hasler will no doubt be preparing them for a more all round performance this week. James Graham has been named despite not finishing the game last week.
The Panthers start as the favourite with both sides desperate for a win with a tough run ahead in the coming weeks.
The changes the Panthers have made could bring about their downfall but we’ll back them in to get the points.
Panthers by 4.
Team Lists
Team Lists
| Fullback |
| Wing |
| Centre |
| Centre |
| Wing |
| Five-eighth |
| Halfback |
| Prop |
| Hooker |
| Prop |
| Second Row |
| Second Row |
| Lock |
| Interchange |
| Interchange |
| Interchange |
| Interchange |
Team Stats
Scoring Plays
| Bulldogs | Panthers | |
| 0 | Tries | 7 |
| 0 | Conversions | 5 |
| 0 | Penalty Goals | 0 |
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
Attack
| Bulldogs | Panthers | |
| 142 | All Runs | 185 |
| 1,044 | All Run Metres | 1,684 |
| 1 | Line Breaks | 8 |
| 5 | Offloads | 14 |
Defense
| Bulldogs | Panthers | |
| 379 | Kick Metres | 470 |
| 0 | 40/20 | 0 |
| 303 | Tackles | 249 |
| 48 | Missed Tackles | 22 |
Discipline
| Bulldogs | Panthers | |
| 12 | Penalties Conceded | 7 |
| 10 | Errors | 7 |
| 1 | Sin Bin | 0 |
| 0 | Send Offs | 0 |
Player Stats
Top Point Scorer
| Player | TOT | |
 | Nathan Cleary | 14 |
| Mitch Rein | 8 | |
| Waqa Blake | 4 | |
| Corey Harawira-Naera | 4 | |
| Josh Mansour | 4 |
Top Goal Kicker
| Player | TOT | |
| Nathan Cleary | 5 |
| Adam Elliott | 0 | |
| Dean Whare | 0 | |
| Josh Morris | 0 | |
| Moses Mbye | 0 |
Top Try Scorer
| Player | TOT | |
 | Mitch Rein | 2 |
| Waqa Blake | 1 | |
| Corey Harawira-Naera | 1 | |
| Nathan Cleary | 1 | |
| Josh Mansour | 1 |
Top Try Assists
| Player | TOT | |
 | Isaah Yeo | 2 |
| Waqa Blake | 1 | |
| Nathan Cleary | 1 | |
| Josh Mansour | 1 | |
| Matt Moylan | 1 |
Top Runs
| Player | TOT | |
 | Josh Mansour | 22 |
| Trent Merrin | 19 | |
| Dylan Edwards | 17 | |
| Corey Harawira-Naera | 16 | |
| Will Hopoate | 16 |
Top Run Metres
| Player | TOT | |
 | Trent Merrin | 214 |
| Josh Mansour | 212 | |
| Dylan Edwards | 164 | |
| Dallin Watene-Zelezniak | 143 | |
| Corey Harawira-Naera | 118 |
Top Linebreaks
| Player | TOT | |
 | Waqa Blake | 2 |
| Matt Moylan | 2 | |
| Corey Harawira-Naera | 1 | |
| Josh Mansour | 1 | |
| Mitch Rein | 1 |
Top Offloads
| Player | TOT | |
 | Josh Morris | 2 |
| Corey Harawira-Naera | 2 | |
| Nathan Cleary | 2 | |
| Isaah Yeo | 2 | |
| Matt Moylan | 2 |
Top Tackles
| Player | TOT | |
| Mitch Rein | 35 |
| Adam Elliott | 32 | |
| Michael Lichaa | 32 | |
| Aiden Tolman | 32 | |
| Josh Jackson | 31 |
Top Missed Tackles
| Player | TOT | |
 | Adam Elliott | 9 |
| Brenko Lee | 6 | |
| Danny Fualalo | 5 | |
| Josh Jackson | 5 | |
| Moses Mbye | 4 |
Top Tackle Breaks
| Player | TOT | |
| Josh Mansour | 7 |
| Corey Harawira-Naera | 6 | |
| Dylan Edwards | 6 | |
| Brenko Lee | 5 | |
| Trent Merrin | 5 |
Top Linebreak Assists
| Player | TOT | |
| Isaah Yeo | 3 |
| Nathan Cleary | 1 | |
| Matt Moylan | 1 | |
| Dallin Watene-Zelezniak | 1 | |
| Dean Whare | 0 |
Top Kick Metres
| Player | TOT | |
| Nathan Cleary | 343 |
| Moses Mbye | 223 | |
| Matt Moylan | 99 | |
| Matt Frawley | 73 | |
| Michael Lichaa | 40 |
Top Penalties
| Player | TOT | |
 | Matt Moylan | 4 |
| David Klemmer | 3 | |
| Aiden Tolman | 2 | |
| Waqa Blake | 1 | |
| Marcelo Montoya | 1 |
Top Errors
| Player | TOT | |
| Josh Morris | 4 |
| Brenko Lee | 2 | |
| Adam Elliott | 1 | |
| Corey Harawira-Naera | 1 | |
| Sam Kasiano | 1 |
Summary
OK, everyone knows that the Dogs had a significant injury list in this game, but watching it on TV I could barely believe it was the Dogs. Totally ineffective in attack and totally weak in defence. Reeked of a club with significant issues.
hey drew, do you think they jumped the gun a bit early to resign Des and that the wrong “chief” is leaving?
Yes Billy, I do find it intriguing that so much effort is being put into propping up Dessie as coach, when he has clearly has failed to deliver on reasonable expectations over the past 6 years. Two GFs, sure, but no one cares who loses and the Dogs are going backwards in 2017.