The Bulldogs NSW Cup side will head to Aubrey Keech Reserve on Saturday to tackle Mounties and looking for their third win of the season.
Mounties Vs Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Aubrey Keech Reserve, Saturday, May 24
Kick-off: 3.00pm
Referee: Phil Haines
Broadcast: Radio Coverage courtesy of 2GLF FM 89.3 (Link available via 893fm.com.au)
Summary: Mounties will be out to do what no other club has managed to do in 2014, and that is win the week after having had the bye. Ten teams have tried and failed but Mounties will have no excuses if they cannot crush the curse. They are taking on an undermanned Bulldogs side at Aubrey Keech Reserve, a venue where they have won all three of their games played there thus far in 2014. If the Bulldogs are to continue the curse of the bye, they will have to do it without Krisnan Inu, Reni Maitua and Pat O’Hanlon who have all been elevated into the Dogs NRL side due to the clubs extensive Origin representation. The Raiders on the other hand have not really been affected by Origin selections, and as a result, Mounties will once again field a formidable side. It must be noted though, that Mitch Cornish is finally set to make his well-deserved NRL debut, and his spot in the halves will be taken by the more than serviceable Ryan Carr. With Wenty having the bye this round, Mounties cannot move into the top spot, but they will certainly be keen to hold onto second spot and keep the pressure on Wenty.
Junior by name not by nature: It is great to see Ricky Stuart playing Tevita Pangai with Mounties. It clearly shows the high regard he is held in at the club and also a sign that they are looking to fast track his development. Having represented NSW in the junior age groups the past few years, the experience that Pangai will gain playing alongside the likes of Learoyd-Lahrs and Jake Foster will be invaluable to him in the long run, and while he won’t dominate in this grade, he probably won’t look out of place either.
Words: www.nswrl.com.au
