The Bulldogs shook up their football department last week letting four coaching staff go but it didn't change the on-field result with an 18-10 loss to Manly - their third for the season by eight points or less.
That's now six defeats from eight games. However, this week's opposition at Suncorp Stadium hasn't fared much better. The Knights are in the bottom-half of the NRL ladder with a 3-5 record.
But they keep edging upwards off the back of two straight wins, currently lying 10th after being 15th just two weeks ago.
Regardless both Dean Pay and Nathan Brown will see this result as a chance to retrieve further confidence and belief in making the back end of their seasons better.
Match: Bulldogs v Knights
Round 9 -
home Team
Bulldogs
16th Position
away Team
Knights
9th Position
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
The Rundown
Team news
Bulldogs: Kieran Foran returns from injury at halfback and Adam Elliott joins the starting side. Dean Pay initially dropped Ofahiki Ogden to the reserves and promoted Sauaso Sue to the bench, but Ogden was given a reprieve and is on the bench alongside Sue. Lachlan Lewis was dropped on Thursday, while Rhyse Martin and Kerrod Holland were officially axed as expected an hour before kick-off. Corey Harawira-Naera withdrew during the week for personal reasons.
Knights: Just one late change for coach Nathan Brown, with Jesse Ramien given the nod to start in the centres and Sione Mata'Utia moving back to the bench. Josh King and Pasami Saulo were omitted an hour prior to kick-off, while Mason Lino and Jamie Buhrer dropped off the reserves list on Friday. The Knights are seeking their third straight win.
Match: Bulldogs v Knights
Round 9 -
home Team
Bulldogs
away Team
Knights
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Nick MeaneyFullback for Knights is number 1 Kalyn Ponga
-
Winger for Bulldogs is number 2 Jayden OkunborWinger for Knights is number 2 Edrick Lee
-
Centre for Bulldogs is number 4 Will HopoateCentre for Knights is number 3 Hymel Hunt
-
Centre for Bulldogs is number 21 Marcelo MontoyaCentre for Knights is number 21 Jesse Ramien
-
Winger for Bulldogs is number 5 Reimis SmithWinger for Knights is number 5 Shaun Kenny-Dowall
-
Five-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Jack CoggerFive-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Connor Watson
-
Halfback for Bulldogs is number 19 Kieran ForanHalfback for Knights is number 7 Mitchell Pearce
Forwards
-
Prop for Bulldogs is number 8 Aiden TolmanProp for Knights is number 8 David Klemmer
-
Hooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Jeremy Marshall-KingHooker for Knights is number 9 Danny Levi
-
Prop for Bulldogs is number 10 Dylan NapaProp for Knights is number 10 Daniel Saifiti
-
2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Josh Jackson2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Lachlan Fitzgibbon
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2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 16 Adam Elliott2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Mitchell Barnett
-
Lock for Bulldogs is number 23 Chris SmithLock for Knights is number 13 Tim Glasby
Interchange
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Fa'amanu BrownInterchange for Knights is number 4 Sione Mata'utia
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Danny FualaloInterchange for Knights is number 14 Kurt Mann
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Sauaso SueInterchange for Knights is number 15 Herman Ese'ese
-
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 22 Ofahiki OgdenInterchange for Knights is number 16 James Gavet
Match Officials
- Referee: Matt Cecchin
- Referee: Tim Roby
- Senior Review Official: Steve Chiddy
Last updated:
Key match-up
Bulldogs fullback Nick Meaney plays against the immovable object at No.1 for the Knights in Kalyn Ponga - or more simply, the reason Meaney knew he'd have to leave the Hunter to get more NRL games. The 21-year-old has now played five with the Bulldogs after his five with the Knights in 2018. But in averaging four tackle-busts a game in 2019 he's set to increase his time in the NRL.
For the Bulldogs to win
Kieran Foran returning from a five-week lay-off should lift the spirits, as he renews his burgeoning halves combination with Lachlan Lewis before the ankle injury intervened. With Jeremy Marshall-King's improving work around the ruck (42 tackles last week) and the post-contact metres by Dylan Napa, Rhyse Martin and Josh Jackson, Foran has the platform to work with.
For the Knights to win
Mitchell Pearce needs to have another game impact like he did against the Warriors last week (1 line-break, 2 line-break assists, 2 try assists, 2 tackle-busts) or the Eels a week earlier, when along with a try, he had a mammoth 20 kicks for 412 metres. If the No.7 can get near those kinds of figures again the Bulldogs won't be able to keep up.
Brett Kimmorley says
Mitchell Pearce has found some great form. He looks like he is relaxed. To me they are playing a bit different – they are playing over the ad line. It’s a really good blueprint. I like the style of football they are playing. The Bulldogs need to get more creative in attack. A lot of their skills comes from the forwards. They need to get more width and ask more questions in attack. Knights by 8
Stat Attack
Pearce (Roosters) and Lewis (Bulldogs) are both in the NRL top-five for the number of kicks they let fly and the distance in metres they make. This will make for a first class display of positional and attacking kicks.
And another thing ...
Newcastle's Edrick Lee gets to celebrate his 100th NRL game in Knights colours after five seasons with the Raiders and two with the Sharks.
