Bulldogs NYC mindset right for Souths clash

by NRL

Andy Patmore and his Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs Toyota Cup outfit are under no illusions just how tough Saturday afternoon's clash with South Sydney is going to be.

The Bulldogs come into the four versus nine clash on 17 competition points, with eight wins and a draw from their 12 matches so far this season, while the Rabbitohs are five points back with a five, one and five record for the year.

But far from being lulled into a false sense of security, Patmore says his Bulldogs will come into the match with the memory of their round six loss to the Bunnies fresh in the mind.

"They really got us early last time, they jumped to about 20 nil I think," Patmore says of the eventual 26-24 loss. "They had more enthusiasm, more footy in them. We came back and nearly got them in the end but we've got to make sure we're ready for the start this week.

"It's another big test, having them beaten us they'll be really motivated to beat us again."

Two of Souths competition points come courtesy of the bye, something the Bulldogs will experience for the first time this season next week in round 14.

"It'd be nice to come off a win this week, going into a bye ? obviously everyone wants that," Patmore added. "Half way point of the year, we're sitting in the top four, so it's a good sign. But I think there's some improvement in us which is a good thing too, and the boys realise that.

"We need a little bit more finesse, a little bit more execution on our plays. We're working hard on that so I think there's probably another 20% in us, which is a good sign."

The Bulldogs most recent win came on Monday night, when they expelled the demons of a tough 2011 trip to Allianz Stadium by beating the Sydney Roosters 24 points to 20.

"Like most 20's games, when you get a bit of ball and a bit of momentum you put a few points on," Patmore said of his side's early 12-nil lead in the match. "We completed early and scored some good tries. Then they had the run of the play for a while and put a few on us. To bounce back at that stage was very good, just before half time."

The Bulldogs trailed 16-12 before kicking away to win in the second forty - leaving the ground in a markedly different state of mind than when the two sides faced off at the venue last season.

"It was spoken about a little bit, they towelled us up by 50 last year. We prepared pretty well, and they're a very good football team, they've got some exceptional players. The boys really lifted themselves and applies themselves well, I'm very pleased with the effort."

Saturday's Toyota Cup clash kicks off at 5.15pm at ANZ Stadium.

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