Winger Sam Perrett knows this Friday night’s game against the Parramatta Eels is crucial to build momentum towards the finals and with eight games remaining in the regular season, the focus should be where the side finishes not where they sit at the moment.
Bulldogs were up and about in Round 16 against Storm in the return to Belmore fixture but on the weekend against the Broncos, it was a different story.
“We didn’t hold the ball and didn’t complete in the right area of the field,” Perrett said.
“We got excited, turned ball over cheaply and you can’t do that against a team like the Broncos who are sitting on top of the table.”
With 40% possession and having to make 387 tackles compared to the Broncos 327, the Bulldogs will need to address these areas during the week as they prepare for a side fresh off the bye, playing with plenty of confidence and looking for four wins in a row.
“There always a tough team especially for us.
“There has always been big battles in the past between us and we know they will bring their A-game and we need to be prepared for it.”
The Eels are only two points behind the Bulldogs on the NRL ladder and with the boys from Belmore having to play five games away from home in the run towards the finals, the clash against the arch rivals on Friday night is one of the club’s most important games of the year.
“It’s important for us and going into the finals, you really want momentum, because being there is one thing and having momentum is another.
“We need to string some wins together and I have always believed that it’s not where you start, but where you finish and we’re coming up to the finish so that’s definitely the most important part.”
Perrett will line-up for his 227th NRL match on the weekend and will come face to face with one of the most damaging ball runners in the game, Semi Radradra.
Radradra has become a fan favourite and a try-scoring machine since his arrival at the Eels and with 16 tries next to his name so far this year, Perrett will be doing all he can to stop the barnstorming Fijian.
“He is a handful and a great player.
“I look forward to those challenges, it’s exciting to play against him and I will be doing my best to stop him.”
Make sure you get ANZ Stadium on Friday night as the Bulldogs look to bounce back from their loss to the Broncos and look to continue their dominance over the Eels in recent years.
