Bulldogs v Panthers preview

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs v Penrith Panthers
ANZ Stadium - Saturday 7:30pm

Two teams searching for form do battle at the scene of last season's Preliminary Final.

Unable to overcome the Titans on the Gold Coast last week, the Bulldogs return home in a game vital to their hopes of breaking free of the NRL ladder logjam. Currently sitting on 14 competition points alongside five other sides, Canterbury will need to replicate their performance against St. George Illawarra a fortnight ago if they are to keep in touch with the competition heavyweights. Coach Des Hasler hasn't named any of his representative players, however expect several late changes to the announced side as last year's runners-up look to post a victory.

Coming off a bye, Penrith will need to start winning matches if they are to make consecutive final series for the first time in over a decade. Boosted by the return of Jamie Soward from a shoulder injury, the Panthers also welcome back the hard-hitting Nigel Plum on the bench. Much like the Bulldogs, the Panthers find themselves stuck in the mid-table logjam, but with a number of experienced campaigners currently on the sideline, coach Ivan Cleary will be depending on five of the graduates from the 2013 Under 20s Premiership squad to help lift the Mountain Men into the top eight.

Last Meeting: Round 1, 2015 - Penrith Panthers 24 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 18

Who to watch: With Tony Williams out for the season, the Bulldogs have been able to call upon the expertise of Frank Pritchard to fill the void. Expected to link up with Hull FC at the conclusion of the season, Pritchard will be hoping to leave the NRL with a premiership after falling short in 2012 and 2014. Coming up against his former club, the New Zealand and Samoan second rower will have extra motivation to help Canterbury get over the line on Saturday night.

With Matthew Moylan, Josh Mansour and Jamal Idris all sustaining long-term injuries, Penrith have been forced to rely on a number of rookies to fill the void. Fortunately, the experienced David Simmons has been able to help out with a number of consistent performances since his return to first grade against Cronulla on ANZAC Day. Running for more than 100 metres each week, Simmons will be looking to cement his place in Ivan Cleary's backline as he closes in on 200 games and a century of tries in the NRL.

The favourite: With the Bulldogs expected to include their representative players an hour before kickoff, the Blue and Whites have been backed to record a crucial win.

My tip: The winner of the contest will go a long way towards breaking away from the mid-table logjam, but with late changes all but assured, the Bulldogs will prevail despite the best efforts of the Panthers. Bulldogs by 7.

1. Sam Perrett 2. Curtis Rona 3. Chase Stanley 4. Timoteo Lafai 5. Corey Thompson 6. Josh Reynolds 7. Moses Mbye 8. Aiden Tolman 9. Michael Lichaa 10. Sam Kasiano 11. Antonio Kaufusi 12. Frank Pritchard 13. Greg Eastwood
Interchange: 14. Danny Fualalo 15. Lloyd Perrett 16. Tim Browne 17. Herman Essese 23. Shaun Lane

1. Dallin Watene Zelezniak 2. Waqa Blake 3. Dean Whare 4. Isaah Yeo 5. David Simmons 6. Jamie Soward 7. Peter Wallace 8. Regan Campbell-Gillard 9. James Segeyaro 10. Sam McKendry 11. Lewis Brown 12. Sika Manu 13. Elijah Taylor
Interchange: 14. Tyrone Peachey 15. Jeremy Latimore 16. Nigel Plum 17. Bryce Cartwright 18. Adam Docker 19. Sam Anderson

Referees: Grant Atkins, Adam Devcich; Sideline Officials: Steve Carrall, Lawrence McDonnell; Video Referees: Steve Clark, Ben Galea;

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