Match Preview: Bulldogs v Jets

The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs will take on the Newtown Jets this Sunday at Belmore Sports Ground with kick-off at 5.00pm.

Coach Des Hasler has selected the majority of his squad with only Michael Ennis, Frank Pritchard, Sam Kasiano and Greg Eastwood sitting out of the match. Ben Barba, Josh Morris and Joel Romelo are also unavailable due to selection in the All-Stars match that will take place on Saturday night.

Front rower Aiden Tolman is one man who is definitely looking forward to getting out and having a good run.

“It will be a bit of a weird feeling coming up against opposition,” Tolman said. “We’ve been at it pretty hard here for three and a half months so it’s definitely good to be back playing again.”

“It’s great to have a physical test, we do a lot of training but when you’re up against someone it is a lot more exciting.

“There have been a number of things we’ve worked on in the off-season and we’ll take a few into this game but I must admit it is pretty easy for me playing in the forwards.

With the departure of players like David Stagg, the retirement of Corey Payne and James Graham being unavailable Tolman says the squad are well aware that there are a few spots available in the team that gets selected for round one.

“That’s right, there are a few spots available. They are in the forwards as well so I need to go out again and earn my spot, that is what trials are for.

“The squad has remained the same in the outside backs but there at least three spots available so it’s good for competition and good for the team.”

Prior to the NRL kick-off at 5.00pm, there will be the Holden Cup side up against the Auburn Warriors at 3.00pm, SG Ball against the Melbourne Storm at 1.00pm and the Harold Matthews side also against the Storm at 11.30am.

There are still plenty of tickets available, head to proticket to pre-purchase your tickets.