2009 NRL FINALS SERIES
- 3rd QUALIFYING FINAL -
VERSUS
The Bulldogs imploded without injured halfback Brett Kimmorley in Round 26 to let the Minor Premiership slip from their grasp and face a Newcastle Knights side full of confidence in the 3rd Qualifying Final on Saturday Night. The Knights crushed the Panthers 35-0 to secure a place in the opening weekend of the 2009 NRL Finals Series, while the Bulldogs found the Wests Tigers too hot to handle at the SFS and were spanked 34-12. Kimmorley won't be back until the Preliminary Final stage (if at all) and the Bulldogs must find a way to win without his superb leadership and kick-chase game.
News Update 11/09/09: The Bulldogs say they are preparing as if De Gois and Taia will play but given the game is not until Saturday Night - there's a lot of time for one or both of them to be ruled out. George Ndaira would be the likely replacement for De Gois and Corey Paterson would get a run if Taia can't play.
News Update 10/09/09: Newcastle pair Isaac De Gois and Zeb Taia remain in serious doubt for the Saturday Night clash with injury. The Bulldogs look fully fit outside of Brett Kimmorley, although Brad Morrin is likely to join the bench as 18th man. The Knights still have to trim one player from their bench and that will be one of Marvin Karawana, Wes Naiqama and Corey Paterson.
> For some great analysis on the Finalists by Phil Gould, Benji Marshall and Johnathan Thurston download the audio from their segment on The Footy Show here.
Video Preview below and here are the teams announced on Tuesday.
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SATURDAY NIGHT @ ANZ Stadium 8:30pm
Referees: Tony Archer & Jason Robinson Sideline Officials: Steve Carrall & Russell Turner Video Referee: Sean Hampstead
#2 BULLDOGS v #7 NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Bulldogs:
Starting Lineup:
1. Luke Patten
2. Hazem El Masri
3. Josh Morris
4. Jamal Idris
5. Bryson Goodwin
6. Ben Roberts
7. Daniel Holdsworth
8. Ben Hannant
9. Michael Ennis
10. Michael Hodgson
11. Greg Eastwood
12. Andrew Ryan (c)
13. David Stagg
Reserves:
14. Jarrad Hickey, 15. Chris Armit, 16. Yileen Gordon, 17. Gary Warburton.
Coach: Kevin Moore.
Newcastle Knights:
Starting Lineup:
1. Kurt Gidley (c)
2. Shannon McDonnell
3. Junior Sau
4. Adam MacDougall
5. Cooper Vuna
6. Jarrod Mullen
7. Scott Dureau
8. Mark Taufua
9. Isaac De Gois
10. Chris Houston
11. Steven Simpson
12. Zeb Taia
13. Matt Hilder
Reserves:
14. Wes Naiqama, 15. Marvin Karawana, 16. Richard Fa'aoso, 17. Danny Wicks, 18. Corey Paterson.
Coach: Rick Stone.
Last 6 Games Head to Head (NEW 4 BUL 2)
NEW 22 def. BUL 14 - Round 12, 2009
NEW 22 def. BUL 12 - Round 13, 2008
BUL 30 def. NEW 16 - Round 8, 2007
NEW 25 def. BUL 24 - Round 1, 2007
BUL 38 def. NEW 22 - Round 13, 2006
NEW 46 def. BUL 22 - Round 3, 2006
VIDEO PREVIEW BELOW
Who do you think will win between the Bulldogs and Knights?
wdnicolson.blogspot.com Qualifying Final Predictions:
BULLDOGS 24
def.
KNIGHTS 14
Man of the Match: Ben Hannant, Bulldogs
First Tryscorer: Bryson Goodwin, Bulldogs