Eels Blogs

Good news already for Bulldogs clash

Posted by 1Eyed Eel on March 10, 2013 at 9:19pm

CANTERBURY's big names are expected to remain sidelined for Thursday night's big match against Parramatta at ANZ Stadium.

The Bulldogs were without stars Sam Kasiano, Ben Barba, Frank Pritchard and James Graham for Saturday evening's 24-12 loss to North Queensland in Gosford.

Barba and Graham were never returning for the Eels game but there were hopes forwards Pritchard and Kasiano may be back.

But Canterbury coach Des Hasler said his Kiwi rep players will again be absent for the Parramatta match.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/canterbury-bulldogs-stars-sam-kasiano-and-frank-pritchard-expected-to-miss-clash-with-parramatta-eels/story-e6frexnr-1226594175412

You need to be a member of 1Eyed Eel to add comments!

Join 1Eyed Eel

★

Votes: 0

Email me when people reply –

Replies

Ham Sammich March 10, 2013 at 9:36pm

Can't wait to see lil' Chris put on a side-step and breeze past Klemmer.
Ham Sammich March 10, 2013 at 9:48pm

Didn't get to watch the game but as you've said NRL is completely different to NYC, players are trained to tackle and aren't defence-shy. Will be very interested to see how he plays but hopefully we get up in the Doggies faces and Sandow's kicking game is spot on again and we can make them turn around and chase.
Sir Col "THE NODDY MUSHROOM" March 10, 2013 at 9:50pm

Knowing Dessie and his mind games I will wait till the "official" teams lists come out.

In one respect I would have liked to see how the "lads" handled a couple of really big boppers.
- Earl Grey > Sir Col "THE NODDY MUSHROOM" March 10, 2013 at 10:57pm
  
  My thoughts exactly...
Waterboy March 11, 2013 at 1:05am
parraborn! March 11, 2013 at 2:42am

Although, we would like to beat a full strength bulldogs team so there are no excuses. This is great news, and I will take it anyday. We need all the help we can get with these initial rounds. A good start to the season is crucial.
Nidge March 11, 2013 at 8:24am

I'll believe that when I see it. I call BS Des! Shaun Johnston was meant to be out last week too. I suspect at least one of these boofheads will return. I'd rather beat the strongest possible side these scumbags can field anyway. I reckon t-Rex will be primed for a big game
- Yoshi > Nidge March 11, 2013 at 8:39am
  
  Haha, I wouldn't! We need some wins, and it's far more likely playing against a weakened Dogs pack, plus no Barba. We're a MASSIVE chance in this one
- Micky P > Nidge March 11, 2013 at 8:45am
  
  How crap was T Rex against NQ. I saw Kane Linnett stop him 1 on 1 hald a dozen times.
Prof. Daz March 11, 2013 at 8:50am

It's hard to know how the Bulldogs will go in 2013, because when the NRL cleaned up the obstruction rule the team affected most was the cheating Bulldogs. I don't like the dogs at any time, but I think alot of their attack in 2012 relied on using obstruction plays to free up space for Barba to engage in (effectively) broken field running. Kasiano and Grabam, with Pritchard, became blockers, though commentators scared to call it obstruction called them playmakers. Crap! The dogs forwards ran obstruction angles and used short passes in obstruction situations. So how will the dogs adapt? And I mean with all players back on board? Note Sandow's disallowed try against the Warriors was similar to Barba's efforts last year. All this is meant to say the Dogs game might not tell us much, as we're yet to see how the new rule affects the dogs. It might derail the dogs completely, given that their success last year hinged on 'exploiting' the obstruction rule (also known as cheating).