It was this time last year that the Roosters started rumbling ominously toward the finals.
They're not playing quite as well in 2019, but the Chooks are still the NRL's scariest team not based in Victoria and boast some of the game's most lethal match-winners in Tedesco, Mitchell, Keary and Cronk.
They cruised to an easy 38-12 win when they met the Dogs in round 14 and shouldn't have much trouble repeating the dose on Sunday.
The Bulldogs won two in a row before being brought back to earth with last week's 28-6 road loss to Brisbane. Avoiding the wooden spoon has become the primary goal for Dean Pay's men.
Match: Bulldogs v Roosters
Round 19 -
home Team
Bulldogs
15th Position
away Team
Roosters
3rd Position
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
The Rundown
Team news
Bulldogs: Lachlan Lewis returns from an ankle injury at halfback in place of rookie Brandon Wakeham, while Kerrod Holland comes in for Marcelo Montoya, who suffered a season-ending knee injury last weekend. Kieran Foran (hamstring) was in line for a return after being named as a reserve but was cut from the squad on Saturday. Raymond Faitala-Mariner was the other player cut 24 hours out from kick-off. With Aiden Tolman's return to the front row, forward Okahiki Ogden was cut an hour before the game along with outside back Jayden Okunbor.
Roosters: Victor Radley has been shifted back to his usual place at lock, allowing Canterbury Cup star Sam Verrills (No.14) to come off the bench and start at hooker for the injured Jake Friend. The No.13 named on Tuesday, Isaac Liu, moves to the interchange forwards. Brett Morris has been elevated from the bench to the starting side in place of Ryan Hall, while Sitili Tupouniua moves up to the bench. Joseph Manu is back in the centres after being rested last week. Zane Tetevano returns from suspension on the bench as well. Poasa Faamausili and Billy Smith were omitted an hour before kick-off.
Match: Bulldogs v Roosters
Round 19 -
home Team
Bulldogs
away Team
Roosters
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Dallin Watene-ZelezniakFullback for Roosters is number 1 James Tedesco
-
Winger for Bulldogs is number 2 Nick MeaneyWinger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel Tupou
-
Centre for Bulldogs is number 3 Kerrod HollandCentre for Roosters is number 3 Latrell Mitchell
-
Centre for Bulldogs is number 4 Will HopoateCentre for Roosters is number 4 Joseph Manu
-
Winger for Bulldogs is number 5 Reimis SmithWinger for Roosters is number 17 Brett Morris
-
Five-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Jack CoggerFive-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Luke Keary
-
Halfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Lachlan LewisHalfback for Roosters is number 7 Cooper Cronk
Forwards
-
Prop for Bulldogs is number 8 Aiden TolmanProp for Roosters is number 8 Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
-
Hooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Michael LichaaHooker for Roosters is number 14 Sam Verrills
-
Prop for Bulldogs is number 10 Dylan NapaProp for Roosters is number 10 Siosiua Taukeiaho
-
2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Josh Jackson2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Boyd Cordner
-
2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Corey Harawira-Naera2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Mitchell Aubusson
-
Lock for Bulldogs is number 13 Adam ElliottLock for Roosters is number 9 Victor Radley
Interchange
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Jeremy Marshall-KingInterchange for Roosters is number 13 Isaac Liu
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Renouf AtoniInterchange for Roosters is number 15 Zane Tetevano
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Danny FualaloInterchange for Roosters is number 16 Angus Crichton
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Chris SmithInterchange for Roosters is number 18 Sitili Tupouniua
Match Officials
- Referee: Adam Gee
- Referee: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
- Touch Judge: Darian Furner
- Senior Review Official: Henry Perenara
Last updated:
Key match-up
Dylan Napa won't need any extra motivation when he takes on his former team. The Bulldogs prop spent six years with the Chooks before switching clubs this season and will be itching to lock horns with Roosters enforcer Jared Waerea-Hargreaves.
For the Bulldogs to win
It's going to take a special effort but the Doggies have shown they are capable of occasionally stepping up to the plate and this might be one of those games when they're on song. Napa and his fellow forwards need to slow the Roosters up front, while inexperienced halves Brandon Wakeham and Jack Cogger have to play out of their skin.
For the Roosters to win
Maybe they're just in a slow-burn as they work their toward the play-offs, but the Roosters are still struggling to not only hit top gear, but they're also having trouble maintaining a consistent high level during games. Still, the signs are there and they never stop believing they are the best team in the comp. Win No.12 should be a formality.
Brett Kimmorley says
The Roosters flexed their muscles last weekend. The really good teams grind away for 50-60 minutes and then the points flow in the last 20. I expect the Dogs to be defensively good again, but they just don’t have the attacking game to match it. They’ve only got to 20 on four occasions. The only concern for the Roosters is who plays dummy half with Jake Friend out. Roosters by 14
Stat Attack
Latrell Mitchell remains on track for the tryscoring and pointscoring double. He currently leads the NRL in points (169) and is second in tries (12). Roosters fullback James Tedesco leads the NRL in line breaks (15) and tackle breaks (103).
And another thing ...
He has a regulation first name but his middle name is up there with the best in the NRL. We're talking about one Dylan Hercules Napa, who will be hoping to lead the Bulldogs to an upset win over the premiers.
