Bulldogs v Dragons preview

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The Dragons need a win to stop a late season fade from finals contention and the Bulldogs have a 36 point thrashing dealt by the North Queensland Cowboys last week to recover from. 

For the home side they've named an unchanged team to avenge the major loss in North Queensland. Canterbury was on a run of four straight wins and had been in the top four before that clash.

They're well positioned to make a run at the finals and it's no surprise coach Des Hasler is leading the way. Despite missing Tony Williams with a calf injury, there's a complete Bulldogs team taking the field on Friday night. Even mid-season standout Kerrod Holland can't find his way into the side. 

For the Dragons it's a miracle they're still a chance to play finals footy after the past couple of months they've had. 

Their last three wins came against the Newcastle Knights in round 16, the Melbourne Storm in round 15 with no Cooper Cronk and Cameron Smith due to Origin duty and the North Queensland Cowboys in round 12 without their Origin stars. 

Add to this period of time Josh Dugan sustaining injury, Benji Marshall missing more games than he's played, Tyson Frizell taken for Origin duties and Tim Lafai and Siliva Havili having been stood down by the club this week for bad behaviour involving police is all far from ideal. 

For a team that struggles to score points, second worst in the competition behind the Knights, they've let in far too many on a consistent basis.

They'll have to try and win without Leeson Ah Mau as he's been suspended for three weeks. Will Matthews and Jacob Host come onto the bench to cover the loss and are the only named changes to their side for this match. 

Last meeting: Round 14 2016 - Dragons 16 Bulldogs 34

This game earlier in the season marked the return of Tony Williams after he was dropped for poor form. Williams starred and the entire forward pack was too much for the Dragons. Each member of the Bulldogs' spine scored a try. 

Who to watch: With seven tries in his first four games back from injury, Brett Morris is in great form. Coming up against the Dragons who have conceded at least 25 points in their last three games, Morris should get the space he needs to be an attacking weapon from any part of the field. Playing his former club will have the winger hyped for a strong showing. 

With Dugan still out of the Dragons' side, Tyson Frizell is their best ball runner. Over the past few weeks he's had fewer minutes on the field for the Dragons, likely needing a smaller work load after the physical and mental toll of a debut State Of Origin series. Now his team has lost three consecutive games and are dangerously close to falling out of finals contention, Frizell is hopefully ready to get back to his blazing best. 

The favourite: The Bulldogs are clear favourites. History is all in favour of Canterbury as they've taken eight of the last nine clashes with the Dragons.

My tip: Having lost to the Cowboys 36-0 last week and a spot in the top four available with a win here, a highly motivated Bulldogs team should be sighted. Bulldogs by 18.

1. William Hopoate 2. Brett Morris 3. Josh Morris 4. Curtis Rona 5. Sam Perrett 6. Josh Reynolds 7. Moses Mbye 8. Aiden Tolman 9. Michael Lichaa 10. James Graham 11. Josh Jackson 12. Greg Eastwood 13. David Klemmer
Interchange: 14. Sam Kasiano 15. Danny Fualalo 16. Tim Browne 17. Raymond Faitala-Mariner

1. Adam Quinlan 2. Kurt Mann 3. Euan Aitken 4. Taane Milne 5. Jason Nightingale 6. Gareth Widdop 7. Benji Marshall 8. Russell Packer 17. Jake Marketo 10. Michael Cooper 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Joel Thompson 13. Jack de Belin
Interchange: 14. Tariq Sims 15. Will Matthews 16. Jacob Host 9. Mitch Rein

Referees: Matt Cecchin, Chris James; Sideline Officials: Tim Roby, Ricky MacFarlane; Video Referees: Bernard Sutton, Jared Maxwell, Luke Patten