Bulldogs v Sea Eagles preview

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs v Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
ANZ Stadium - Friday 7:35pm

One look at the team lineups and it's plain to see why this match has been relegated to Channel 9's delayed telecast at 9:30pm.

Trying times at Canterbury. Reports overnight that with the likely omissions from Friday's lineup through injury and suspension, the Bulldogs will have a combined $4 million of talent sitting on the sidelines. With their depth sorely tested, these Bulldog pups will need all the help they can get to overcome arch-rivals Manly. Which, lets face it, is exactly the way the "Dogs of War" like it.

A Des Hasler-led ‘Dogs outfit won't take nicely to the 25-point drubbing issued by the Dragons last Sunday - and a short turnaround gives them the perfect opportunity to rectify that - provided their halves actually turn up to play, that is.

For Manly, things aren't much better. Winless since their Round 2 victory over Melbourne, they sit stone-motherless last and even though they led Penrith at stages last weekend, never really looked convincing. The destabilising forces around the club are showing few signs of letting up - the departure of Cherry-Evans and Foran looms large over the club, and rumours continue to persist about the future of coach Geoff Toovey, particularly in the wake of the appointment of Bob Fulton to oversee things.

Last meeting: Round 3 2015 - Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 12 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 16

Who to watch: The Bulldogs dominated the opening exchanges of their clash with the Dragons on Sunday and even crossed the line 4 times before being held-up throughout the afternoon. They owed much of their early dominance to rookie hooker Michael Lichaa, whose speed out of dummy half is a refreshing and needed change at the club. Inexplicably Lichaa was then benched in favour of Josh Reynolds, forcing a reshuffle of the Bulldogs' spine. From there it fell apart.

Manly's halves have been the focus of much talk since the season kicked off - Daly Cherry-Evans and Kieran Foran are both heading for greener (and presumably much less sand-filled) pastures in 2016, but they still have a job to do this season. If they can overcome the distractions and find their A-game, watch out Canterbury.

The favourite: Even with the loss to the Dragons, the Bulldogs have several rep players still to build their side around - so they're marginally in the black with the bookmakers.

My tip: While Manly do have to win eventually, it's hard to see the ‘Dogs losing three on the trot against a Manly side that's offered little. Expect Reynolds & Hodkinson to lift. Bulldogs by 12.

1. Sam Perrett 2. Curtis Rona 3. Josh Morris 4. Chase Stanley 5. Corey Thompson 6. Josh Reynolds 7. Trent Hodkinson 8. Aiden Tolman 9. Michael Lichaa 10. Tim Browne 11. Josh Jackson 12. Tony Williams 13. Greg Eastwood
Interchange: 14. Lloyd Perrett 15. Antonio Kaufusi 16. Frank Pritchard 17. Moses Mbye 19. Danny Fualalo 22. Herman Essese

1. Peta Hiku 2. Cheyse Blair 3. Jamie Lyon 4. Steve Matai 5. Brayden Wiliame 6. Kieran Foran 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Jake Trbojevic 9. Matt Ballin 10. Willie Mason 11. Jamie Buhrer 12. Tom Symonds 13. Dunamis Lui
Interchange: 14. James Hasson 15. Luke Burgess 16. Justin Horo 17. Ligi Sao

Referees: Gavin Badger, Chris Sutton; Sideline Officials: Russell Turner, Lawrence McDonnell; Video Referees: Steve Chiddy, Henry Perenara;

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