Roosters v Bulldogs preview - 2017 Round 2

v BYE at

Classic rivalry pits contenders against potential also-rans.

It's always difficult to predict what will happen in Round 2 of any sporting competition. It's easy enough to form a view based on some trial form and the 80 minutes of the first round - but every knows it takes a few weeks to be sure of which way your club is headed.

For that reason - this shapes as one of the more difficult games to tip this weekend. The Roosters were bettered only by the Dragons in terms of form in Round 1 - but struggled to maintain the rage in the second half against the Titans after going ahead 28-0 at the break.

Canterbury meanwhile leaked early points against grand finalists Melbourne but managed to stem the tide at a waterlogged Belmore, clawing their way back to lose 12-6, which was also the halftime score. They looked promising at points but a largely pedestrian attacking effort in the rain was saved by stoic defence as they lost by just six.

That brings us to Thursday night's clash and honestly - who knows what this one will serve up? Which Roosters side will turn up - the first half-ers, or the second half-ers? Do the 'Dogs have some attacking tricks up their sleeve that they're saving for a dry track?

One thing's for sure - based on the past couple of years, the forward battle's gonna be brilliant. Waerea-Hargreaves, Napa, Evans up against Kasiano, Eastwood and Klemmer is a mouthwatering prospect.

Last meeting: Round 17 2016 - Roosters 20 Bulldogs 24

Canterbury took advantage of the Roosters' lacklustre 2016 season, recording victories over them at both ANZ and Allianz last year - while the Roosters won all three clashes in 2015. Overall, the balance is nearly square - over 177 matches since 1935, this pair are separated by just two wins - Roosters' 87 to Bulldogs' 85, with five draws.

Bizarre stat: Des Hasler's reign at Canterbury has yielded five Round 2 wins from five attempts since he joined the club in 2012.

Who to watch: Something many Roosters fans noticed on the weekend (and perhaps plenty of Fantasy league players too), was the absensce of NRL Auckland Nines player of the tournament Connor Watson. Watson was named on the interchange for the Tricolours but failed to take the field at all on Saturday night as the Roosters blitzed the Titans. Watson will be hoping Robinson makes use of his skills in this one as the big Bulldogs forward tire later in the contest.

Handling errors in the wet aside, Brenko Lee looked like he was shot out of a cannon in his club debut for the blue-and-whites last Friday. Offering some handy pace down the right side for the Bulldogs, his combination with Hunter boy Kerrod Holland looked like it had plenty of potential in Round 1, including playing a vital role in Josh Reynolds' try against the Storm. If he can keep the drop-balls out of his game, he'll be a valuable asset for the 'Dogs going forward.

The favourite: The Roosters are comfortable favourites for this one after their Round 1 victory.

My tip: On early form it's hard to see anything but a win for the Tricolours here - and the screws to tighten on Canterbury coach Des Hasler. They'll compete but the Roosters too good in the end. Roosters by 4.

1. Michael Gordon 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Latrell Mitchell 4. Blake Ferguson 5. Shaun Kenny-Dowall 6. Luke Keary 7. Mitchell Pearce 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Jake Friend 10. Dylan Napa 11. Boyd Cordner 12. Mitchell Aubusson 13. Aidan Guerra 15. Kane Evans 16. Ryan Matterson 17. Connor Watson 23. Zane Tetevano

1. William Hopoate 2. Brett Morris 3. Josh Morris 4. Brenko Lee 5. Kerrod Holland 6. Josh Reynolds 7. Moses Mbye 8. Aiden Tolman 9. Michael Lichaa 10. James Graham 11. Josh Jackson 12. Greg Eastwood 13. David Klemmer 14. Sam Kasiano 15. Danny Fualalo 16. Adam Elliot 17. Raymond Faitala-Mariner

Referees: Ben Cummins, Chris Sutton; Sideline Officials: Tim Roby, Belinda Sleeman; Video Referees: Bernard Sutton, Luke Patten;