CURRENT POS: 2 POINTS: 26
vs
CURRENT POS: 3 POINTS: 26
Bulldogs v Titans | Suncorp Stadium | Fri, 17 Jul 2009 20:30
We may be eight games out from the semi-finals but the two competition points on offer here will go a long way to determining the fate of these sides in season 2009.
Both share second place on 26 points on the NRL ladder, two points adrift of the Dragons who are guaranteed to maintain their top rung with a bye this week.
That means one of these sides will stay in touch with the race for the minor premiership, while the loser could fall to fourth place and face a battle in coming weeks to return to the top two.
Both sides have a short back-up, although the Titans have the advantage of having to sweat on the return of just the one Origin star in back-rower Ashley Harrison. Conversely the Bulldogs have their paws crossed centre Josh Morris, halfback Brett Kimmorley and hooker Michael Ennis emerge unscathed from Origin III.
Also, the Bulldogs have effectively surrendered their home-ground advantage, with this clash the second scheduled in a wonderful double-header at Suncorp Stadium – the Titans are likely to have as many if not more fans make the trip up the corridor from the Gold Coast strip.
The Bulldogs have won four of their past five, their only recent blemish when they were overpowered by the Sea Eagles at Brookvale a fortnight ago. Despite being massively under-strength last week they were still too good for the Warriors in New Zealand, getting up in dramatic fashion with a 78th-minute try.
Injured prop Ben Hannant and suspended duo Bryson Goodwin and Greg Eastwood remain sidelined for another week. Yileen Gordon, who has been in excellent form the past month, earns a starting position in the second row, which pushes Gary Warburton to a bench bolstered by the inclusion of Toyota Cup star Ben Barba in jersey no.22.
The Titans have won five of the past six, their hiccup a 34-28 loss to the Raiders in Canberra. They weren’t at their best against the Eels last Monday night and met some spirited opposition but they managed to grind out an ugly win.
Preston Campbell returns after a week out, pushing William Zillman to the bench, while rookie David Mead takes over from the injured Chris Walker on the wing. Harrison’s return pushes Brad Meyers to the bench.
We may be eight games out from the semi-finals but the two competition points on offer here will go a long way to determining the fate of these sides in season 2009.
Both share second place on 26 points on the NRL ladder, two points adrift of the Dragons who are guaranteed to maintain their top rung with a bye this week.
That means one of these sides will stay in touch with the race for the minor premiership, while the loser could fall to fourth place and face a battle in coming weeks to return to the top two.
Both sides have a short back-up, although the Titans have the advantage of having to sweat on the return of just the one Origin star in back-rower Ashley Harrison. Conversely the Bulldogs have their paws crossed centre Josh Morris, halfback Brett Kimmorley and hooker Michael Ennis emerge unscathed from Origin III.
Also, the Bulldogs have effectively surrendered their home-ground advantage, with this clash the second scheduled in a wonderful double-header at Suncorp Stadium – the Titans are likely to have as many if not more fans make the trip up the corridor from the Gold Coast strip.
The Bulldogs have won four of their past five, their only recent blemish when they were overpowered by the Sea Eagles at Brookvale a fortnight ago. Despite being massively under-strength last week they were still too good for the Warriors in New Zealand, getting up in dramatic fashion with a 78th-minute try.
Injured prop Ben Hannant and suspended duo Bryson Goodwin and Greg Eastwood remain sidelined for another week. Yileen Gordon, who has been in excellent form the past month, earns a starting position in the second row, which pushes Gary Warburton to a bench bolstered by the inclusion of Toyota Cup star Ben Barba in jersey no.22.
The Titans have won five of the past six, their hiccup a 34-28 loss to the Raiders in Canberra. They weren’t at their best against the Eels last Monday night and met some spirited opposition but they managed to grind out an ugly win.
Preston Campbell returns after a week out, pushing William Zillman to the bench, while rookie David Mead takes over from the injured Chris Walker on the wing. Harrison’s return pushes Brad Meyers to the bench.
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