Round 23: Canterbury v Newcastle preview
The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs host the Newcastle Knights in the much coveted 5:30pm Saturday timeslot, at Gold Coast's Cbus Super Stadium, an absolutely crucial match for Newcastle's finals hopes.
Newcastle currently sit in 7th place, on 22 points, with two teams breathing down their necks on 20, and no less than four other teams ready to pounce on 18 points. For the last placed Bulldogs, this is the closest they'll be to the word "finals".
Canterbury come into this clash on the back of eight straight losses, the latest being a meek 24-10 capitulation to the Warriors. To quote NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard on the 7th of August: "We are very concerned about Canterbury-Bankstown." We sure are, Brad. We sure are.
The Knights, on the other hand, have come good at just the right time, with their latest victory, 16-14 over Cronulla, being their third win in a row. They now are in control of their own finals destiny.
A look at team news - more change for the sake of change for the 'Dogs, with absolutely no regard for actual form or any semblance of logic. Firstly, as foreshadowed in my previous previews, Bailey Biondi-Odo does get the Kyle Flanagan treatment, stripped of his #6 jersey he barely managed to get dirty, ironically making way for Flanagan himself. Averillo - despite apparently breaking his hand - has been named, so maybe a last minute way back in for Biondi-Odo is in the works. Similarly, Falakiko Manu loses his spot in the starting lineup to ensure that Jayden Okunbor retains a starting spot, in great news for Newcastle's outside backs and everyone's multi's. Corey Allan, Luke Thompson and Corey Waddell all come back into the starting lineup. In great news, missing person Jackson Topine has been found, and has been given a chance at hooker, with Jeremy Marshall King leaving the bubble, and Sione Katoa dropping out of the squad.
For the Knights, it's sweet stability. David Klemmer and Brodie Jones come into the starting lineup to replace Daniel Safiti (injured) and Tyson Frizell (suspended). Josh King and Jirah Momoisea (debut) take their places on the bench. Chris Randall replaces Simi Sasagi on the interchange. Besides that, it's an unchanged lineup from last week's win.
Last meeting: Round 1 2021 - Knights 32 Bulldogs 16
Last time they met was back in the opening round, when teams played at their home grounds, and we were all allowed to attend games. Seems like a distant memory... Anyway, Newcastle ran out 32-16 winners in a game where the ‘Dogs didn't see fit to come out for the second half, allowing the hosts to run riot. It was just the second win for Newcastle over the 'Dogs since 2014.
Who to watch: In blue and white it's one man: Jackson Topine. After essentially being frozen out all season for reasons completely unknown, he's been given a chance to shine this week. Let's see what he's got.
For the Knights, well. Ponga, Tuala, Mann, Best, Hunt. Oh boy. These guys are going to absolutely run riot against the selected 1-5 for Canterbury. Absolutely run riot. Get the popcorn out.
The favourite: At the time of writing, the Knights were comfortable $1.18 favourites, with the Bulldogs returning you a fiver for your well earned dollar.
My tip: The Knights have won three in a row, and have everything to play for. Canterbury have lost eight in a row, and there have been that many bizarre selections that the players have barely met each other. This is going to get messy. Newcastle by plenty.
