Official Match Day Thread: Roosters v Bulldogs

[bondi.boy]

Raiders had the Dogs down 20-0 in the first half last round.
Second half Crichton and Kikau ran riot...Dogs won.
If the Dogs have *all* the ball they'll win easily.
If we play our very best footy, and get an even share of possession, penalties, 6 agains...we have a good chance of winning.
Anything less, we likely lose.

[Jacks Fur Coat]

Good challenge for us tonight against a team that won't beat themselves or give too much away. A 148 points differential in their favour shows why we are both in our relative spots on the ladder. The market however seems generous to us tonight as already mentioned on here.

They are really well coached and are getting the most out of players who arent neccessarily Group 1 material. They miss in form forwards Cuz, Sitili and Hey Presto though.That helps us. On paper, we win. But it's how best the team combos and tactics and attitude mesh tonight to see who gets the cash. Good test for Robbo up against a young gun Coach.

Origin lurks in the background of some players minds. Ted will smash it again. Lindsay will want his cameo to stick in Slaters mind. If Billy does a good job against Crichton I wonder if he could be a smokey for a Blues jersey, even on the flank. He must be close.

Mahoney will try to get under the skin of Spence and Vic. Stay cool lads.

Expect the track to be better than last night certainly. So hopefully we can get to play some expansive footy off the back of some good go forward. It's our best chance...don't want a grinding, kick dominated match.

Kudos to our loyal fans fronting up tonight. You deserve the victory.

[Barron's Dream]

Huge match in terms of the season. Let's go. Easts

[Paddo Colt 61]

I’d say that started from the SFS match early in 04 Shit low supporters that day absolute scum and that minority always make me want so tare then fail Even allowing for the fact half my family follow them

I was at that game.Used to love the "Sun Silk Poofs" sign they had. That cohort did hate our guts.

[HunchoRooster]

I'm not sure. In theory it would seem to favour them, but when they played the Broncos in the wet, they weren't able to use their mobility, and their lighter pack just got bulldozed. Hopefully that's a similar story today.

Really can't decide which way to tip this one. We seem to be shortening in the market.
For what it's worth, Ryan Paps (who is leading his tipping comp with Munster and Hughes) tipped us to win.

Should be a cracking game, and it's definitely important for us with origin upcoming and some tough opponents.

True, but that game was a bit of an outlier given the sin binnings (rightfully so, could’ve even had a send off). That whole game was just a weird ambush style game from Bris and the Dogs capitulated.

Super important as our run is pretty tough the next month or so. I can see us losing to the flat track heroes Cronulla next week given they will be full strength. Not to be negative, just my take. So banking as many wins as possible over this period is the #1 priority. This is definitely winnable.

[HDTONE]

Critter had a blinder last week. I figure CC will figure we'll be all over him but Burton and Kikau attacking on the other side

Great opportunity to beat their arses tonight if we stay focused, complete sets and frustrate the crap out of them

[caz]

the only dogs game i've watched this season is their broncos loss. hoping it'll be two from two tonight

[Chook2]

A lot to play for tonight

Gus trying to play the underdogs tag for the dogs saying they are missing a heap while we are at full strength - forgetting Walker mainly is out

dogs have shown a team with half of them no names can do with a few handy players

match their intensity early like broncos and raiders did it seems is the way

our boys are fresh and a few will be keen to lock down origin spots post tonight

dogs have had an easier run though then a few

predict toia and Billy to hold their own outwide and out pack to get over them! Teddy to again have a blinder

chooks by 6

[Chook2]

Are conditions wet in Sydney?

[SamKerrSimp]

Tough match, Dogs are a top team and have built that next man up attitude that served Penrith so well and they are determined to prove the entire league wrong. We have the potential to win the game but also the potential to play poorly, I am more concerned with performance than result tonight.

[BTRD]

Last year in the wet they had us beat by half time and Mr Young was sent off.

Tonight we get our REVENGE.

Collins and Angus need to play like experienced International players.

Go the mighty R W & B.

[The Lip]

I was at that game.Used to love the "Sun Silk Poofs" sign they had. That cohort did hate our guts.

That cohort have all had 7 kids by now to 4 different wives. Those kids are now starting fights in the stands.

[Roosterfarian]

We need to improve our pressure on opposition kickers this season. I’ve seen them get plenty of time on the last tackle to get their kicks away. Burton will murder us in that department if we don’t. He will be peppering Marky Marks side because tbf he has been suspect with the high ball when pressured.

[Carlos Parra]

I'm worried that the Chooks won't even be the first team to put points on the board tonight.

[ARD]

You’d bet this will be close and competitive and we need to hold our nerve, be patient and ice the limited opportunities when they come. We haven’t shown that as consistently as them - hopefully tonight we turn that corner.

In any case; bye behind us and we get to watch Roosters footy. Last week felt empty.