Bulldogs v Knights preview
6 hours ago | Andy P
Roosters v Bulldogs preview
Sydney Roosters v Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Allianz Stadium - Friday 7:45pm 
In-form Roosters host indifferent 'Dogs.
Clinical. That's about the only way to describe the Sydney Roosters after the last three weeks of NRL action. Comfortable 24-4 and 24-0 wins respectively over the Panthers and Warriors before turning on the flair against the Tigers to down the cellar-dwellers 33-8 last Friday have the Bondi boys sitting pretty in 3rd place going into the home stretch.
The Roosters will be keen to capitalise on this form by putting away a top eight outfit in the Canterbury-Bankstown side. The blue-and-whites have been fading in and out of form over the Origin period with comfortable wins over some of the also-rans of the competition, but seem to have struggled to put away all bar the Storm when it comes to heavyweight contenders.
Bulldogs fans will watch with interest how Moses Mbye goes over the coming weeks as he slots into the #6 jumper following the loss of Josh Reynolds to a medium-term injury. Reynolds' brain explosion arguably cost Canterbury a win on Sunday against Cronulla and Mbye's omission over the past fortnight has raised eyebrows - so Moses now has a chance to stamp his authority on a halves position at the club, particularly with Hodkinson heading up the M1 once the club's 2015 campaign ends.
Last meeting: Round 10 2015 - Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 10 Sydney Roosters 24
Despite the scoreline, it was a match the Bulldogs were never really in. Billed as a showdown between two potential Origin halves combinations just three days before Game 1 selection, the Maloney-Pearce show took centre stage with Reynolds and Hodkinson unable to replicate their 2014 form.
Who to watch: Seriously, how good has Sio Siua Taukieaho been for the Roosters? His impact off the bench has given some of his bigger-name counterparts a weight off their shoulders, ensuring the tricolours enjoy serious forward-power and even a bit of flair right through the game.
If he can get his handling right, Josh Jackson is crucial to Canterbury's chances going into the finals. "Jacko" had an uncharacterestic afternoon on Sunday missing a few tackles he would normally find his radar on and dropping a bit of ball.
The favourite: The bookies all have the Roosters as very strong favourites for this one after the 'Dogs poor showing against Cronulla on Sunday.
My tip: It's pretty difficult to go against the Roosters in this one. They've showed plenty of class in putting away the Warriors and Tigers in recent weeks, and the Bulldogs just haven't been hitting their strides at the right time. Roosters by 8.
1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Michael Jennings 4. Blake Ferguson 5. Brendan Elliott 6. James Maloney 7. Mitchell Pearce 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Jake Friend 10. Dylan Napa 11. Boyd Cordner 12. Mitchell Aubusson 13. Aidan Guerra
Interchange: 14. Sam Moa 15. Isaac Liu 16. Kane Evans 17. Siosiua Taukeiaho 18. Jackson Hastings 19. Matt McIlwrick 20. Suaia Matagi
1. Brett Morris 2. Curtis Rona 3. Josh Morris 4. Timoteo Lafai 5. Sam Perrett 6. Moses Mbye 7. Trent Hodkinson 8. David Klemmer 9. Michael Lichaa 10. James Graham 11. Josh Jackson 12. Frank Pritchard 13. Greg Eastwood
Interchange: 14. Sam Kasiano 15. Shaun Lane 16. Lloyd Perrett 17. Tim Browne 19. Corey Thompson 22. Danny Fualalo
Referees: Matt Cecchin, Ashley Klein; Sideline Officials: Nick Beashel, Russell Turner; Video Referees: Steve Chiddy, Ben Galea;