Round 3
Bulldogs 22 d. Gold Coast Titans 6

2007 NRL Telstra Premiership Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

Location: Aus_NZ > National > First Grade Competition: NRL Telstra Premiership

Bulldogs win but unconvincing against Titans
Mon April 2, 2007
The Bulldogs have overcome a few of their second half demons defeating the Gold Coast Titans 22-6 after leading 6-2 at half-time yesterday in front of 14,675 fans at Telstra Stadium.

It was a match that Bulldogs Assistant Coach Kevin Moore rated in the five more boring clashes he has seen and nothing positive was gained out of a clash except that the Bulldogs dominated a second half and finished off scoring the final try.

Gold Coast led 2-0 for much of the first half thanks to a penalty goal from Preston Campbell with the opening try coming in the 32nd minute when Willie Tonga scored backing up a break from Andrew Ryan. Hazem El Masri converted for the Bulldogs to lead 6-2, which remained the score until half-time.

The Bulldogs extended their lead eight minutes into the second half with Trent Cutler beating desperate cover defence to score in the corner after good work from Ben Roberts created the overlap. El Masri's run of 29 successive goals ended when he missed the conversion attempt from the sideline.

Mark O'Meley who had his strongest game since the Kogarah classic between the Dragons and Bulldogs last year crashed his way over the line in the 61st minute to push the Bulldogs 16-2 following El Masri's conversion. It was a mixed bag for O'Meley though with his try and two massive hits on Kris Kahler and Luke Bailey over shadowed by the fact that he's been placed on report for dropping his knees into Titans halfback Scott Prince during the match. O'Meley is now facing a one-match suspension and will miss Good Friday's blockbuster against Souths.

Matt Petersen crossed for the Titans opening try in the 71st minute with thoughts of a dramatic comeback in the final ten minutes on the card following recent second half woes from the Bulldogs.

However, the Bulldogs defence held firm and Cutler's second try with three minutes remaining sealed a victory that at best could be described as getting the two points.

The match showed that the Titans will struggle away from home this season and the Bulldogs have a long way to go before they are top eight contenders.

Bulldogs enforcer Willie Mason after the match said, "It's just good to get a win. If we had three losses heading into Souths, it wouldn't have been very good for the confidence. But getting the win today, and with a few hard decisions to be made on positions, it's good. We'll have a full-strength side, and with Sonny back, he just adds a whole new dimension to our game. He's got that X-factor."

Bulldogs coach Steve Folkes said, "We got the two points but it wasn't pretty. Kevin Moore rated it in the top five most boring games.

"We were nervous and we played more not to lose rather than to win. There was pressure on us from within - We have our own expectations.

"It was a simple game plan today. We took a step back from last week where we played side-to-side and were a bit more direct today."

Gold Coast coach John Cartwright said, "I couldn't doubt their effort. We went strong until the final whistle. But we dropped some ball when we had chances.

"I think we had to be at our best to beat them, and we weren't at our best. But the Bulldogs played well. They didn't panic and they kept the ball in hand."

Whilst Sonny Bill Williams will return for the Good Friday blockbuster against the inform South Sydney outfit, it's expected that Matt Utai and Brent Sherwin will remain in Premier League. Cutler's two tries appears to have held off Utai who made his return from an ankle injury yesterday whereas Sherwin appears to be out of favour with Folkes preferring Ben Roberts in the No.7 despite not being convincing or commanding this season.

Folkes said of the halfback issue, "I'll obviously have a look at the game again and look at second grade again and I'll make a decision at the end of that, but I would anticipate that Benny Roberts would hold his spot."



Bulldogs Retire Jersey 18
Thu March 29, 2007
Source: www.bulldogs.com.au

The Mitsubishi Electric Bulldogs announced today the retirement of the number 18 jersey. This jersey will no longer be worn by any Bulldogs player in any grade of football.

Explaining the retirement Bulldogs captain Andrew Ryan said, "Every week we have 17 players named in the first grade side, but when we play at home it feels like we have an extra player with us - an 18th player. That player is our fans. The support and lift we get from our supporters is like having an extra man ready to help us out."

This Sunday, before the Bulldogs v Titans clash, the Club will formally retire the number 18 jersey and give it to its supporters as recognition of their contribution to this Club and to the many Bulldogs and Berries teams over the years.

A giant 18 jersey will be displayed at all Bulldogs home games at Telstra Stadium as a permanent reminder to everyone of the contribution of Bulldogs fans.

Bulldogs CEO Malcolm Noad commented, "The 18 jersey retirement coincides with our Legends Week festivities and the announcement of the Bulldogs Ring of Champions.

"This will be a special day in the history of this club, I strongly urge all Bulldogs supporters to be at Telstra Stadium by 1pm so as to not miss out on seeing the 200-plus former Berries and Bulldogs players and the inaugural induction of Club greats into the Ring of Champions. And then cheer the team on when they take on the Gold Coast Titans."

BULLDOGS LEGENDS WEEK
Telstra Stadium - Sunday, April 1
Premier League: Bulldogs v Auckland Lions 11.30am
Berries/Bulldogs Legends march
Induction of Ring of Champions 1pm
18 Jersey Presentation
NRL: Bulldogs v Gold Coast Titans 2pm

News sent by: www.bulldogs.com.au

Tue March 27, 2007
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Tue March 27, 2007
• Hughes back for Bulldogs
  
Tue March 27, 2007
• Bulldogs Legends Week
  

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