NRL Preview Canterbury Bulldogs v St George Illawarra Dragons Monday, June 12, 4pm (AEST), ANZ Stadium, Sydney
It’s been a tough week for Des Hasler and the Bulldogs after they were embarrassed 38-0 by the Panthers in Round 13. Brenko Lee has been dropped to an extended bench for his defensive lapses against the Panthers, with Chase Stanley named as his replacement. The Bulldogs will also welcome back Brett Morris, Josh Reynolds and James Graham after they all missed the clash against the Panthers.
History The Bulldogs have won 9 of the last 10 clashes against the Dragons, including the last four, and have posted 28-plus in seven of those. The Bulldogs did the double over the Dragons in 2016 and won the most recent clash 13-10 at ANZ Stadium.
Form Canterbury enter this off their most humiliating loss of the season, an embarrassing 38-0 home loss to Penrith. The Bulldogs are down to the bottom four and are averaging a lowly 13.69ppg. The Bulldogs have dropped their last four and have conceded 24-plus in three of those. The Dragons are back up to third on the ladder with an 8-4 record. The Saints have won their last two and seven of their last 19. The Saints have conceded 14 or fewer in 8 of their 12 games this year.
Key Matchup Josh Reynolds v Gareth Widdop. Reynolds makes his return to the Bulldogs side and it couldn’t come at a better time after the Bulldogs inept display against the Panthers last week. Plenty of experts are saying that the Bulldogs woes can be attributed to an unhappy camp about Reynolds joining the Tigers next season. Reynolds provides plenty of energy, which the Bulldogs have been lacking, and scored a try and kicked a field goal in the Bulldogs most recent win over the Dragons. Widdop was the difference between the Dragons winning or losing against the Tigers last week. He scored two tries and kicked two goals in the Dragons tally of 16 points. Widdop’s effort against the Tigers was his first hit-out after an extended absence through injury and will only be better for the run. If the Bulldogs shut down Widdop, they’ll win this clash.
Stats That Matter
Canterbury are 7-6 ATS with a 10-3 under record while St George Illawarra are 8-4 ATS with a 6-6 total record.
The Bulldogs have won 9 of the last 10 clashes against the Dragons, including the last four, and have posted 28-plus in seven of those.
The teams have topped 37 points in 7 of their last 9.
The Bulldogs have covered 8 of their last 12 at ANZ as an underdog while they are 7-3 ATS getting a try or more since 2014.
The Saints have covered just 1 of their last 3 as a favourite at the ground.
Canterbury have covered 8 of their last 9 after conceding 30 points
Final Thoughts The Wolf is expecting a big response from the Bulldogs after the backlash from fans and the hammering they’ve copped in the media. The Wolf is keen to take them with the +6 start, but can’t be tipping them straight up based on what they dished up against the Panthers. The Dragons did enough against the Tigers, but this has massive danger game written all over it. Bulldogs with the plus and unders is the Wolf’s recommended play here.
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