The Bulldogs NSW Cup team will head to Win Stadium on Saturday looking for their second win in a row when they take on the Illawarra Steelers.
Illawarra Cutters Vs Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
WIN Stadium, Saturday, May 10
Kick-off: 3.00pm
Referee: Liam Nicholls
Summary: The Illawarra Cutters will look to continue their good recent form when they host a Dogs side seeking back to back wins. The Bulldogs won just their second match of the season last weekend when they defeated the Bears 27-20 while the Cutters kicked clear in the second half for a comfortable 40-0 win against Wyong. Joel Thompson, Jack de Belin, Bronson Harrison, Jack Stockwell and Will Matthews all went around for the Cutters last weekend but have been elevated into the Dragons 18 for this week. The Cutters do get some help however with Michael Witt, Peter Mata’utia and Matt Groat all named to tackle the Dogs. For Canterbury, Tyrone Phillips, Llyod Perrett, Krisnan Inu and Reni Maitua return from representative duty while Chase Stanley is also a welcomed addition. On paper these two sides look evenly matched but the Dogs will definitely need to bring their ‘A’ game to WIN Stadium if they are to be any chance of causing the upset.
Stealth mode: In true Des Hasler style, the Cutters are just flying along nicely under the radar. The Cutters are sitting in second place and along with Wenty, are the only sides to have just the two losses as we enter round nine. A draw and a loss to the Warriors are the only real blots on an otherwise clear copybook at present. Illawarra appear to have wonderful depth and with constant competition for spots in the Dragons NRL side, this side looks to be one that can do some real damage over the coming weeks.
Words: www.nswrl.com.au