Round 26
Panthers 22 l. Bulldogs 30

2006 NRL Telstra Premiership Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

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

ABC Grandstand Round 26 post-match Interview with Folkes
Mon September 4, 2006
Source: www.bulldogs.com.au

ABC Grandstand caught up with Bulldogs coach Steve Folkes after the 'Dogs eight-point victory over the Panthers.

ABC:
With Bulldogs coach Steve Folkes, well mate you got the two points but it wasn't pretty was it?

Folkes:
No it was pretty ugly actually, almost as ugly as your shirt Ozzie. They didn't have a lot to play for and I guess we're sorta sitting back thinking that we're playing next week anyway so it's a little bit difficult mentally to get yourself right up for something like that I think.

ABC:
Thats very cruel Folkesy but I'll ignore it [laughs]. Are you concerned though with the lead up into the semi finals, It hasn't been great, your injuries and suspensions cost you and there doesn't seem to be momentum and you're playing against a Raiders side that's surprised everyone this week.

Folkes:
Geez, do you have any good news there Ozzie or what...?

ABC:
No, you bagged my shirt [laughs].

Folkes:
We didn't play well today, I thought we played quite well last week, the Broncos game was a really unusual game. I know we can switch on this week and we can be ready for the Raiders on Saturday.

ABC:
Obviously the loss of Roy Asotasi and Willie Tonga is a big one, are you satisfied with the back-up you've got?

Folkes:
Well, it's hard to go on today's performance, obviously we got found out in a few spots but as I said I think that's mainly attitude based and I think we can rectify that. It's very hard to replace someone like Roy or Willie Tonga, so yeah we're probably a little bit behind the eight ball but I still think we've got as good a chance as anybody in the eight.

ABC:
I thought Patten at the back was one of your stand-outs today, he kept you guys in the match and had a pretty good game I thought.

Folkes:
Yeah he did. He got 16 out of the 17 'Players Player' votes because he didn't vote for himself.

ABC:
Actually I heard Adam Perry said he didn't vote for him so he probably did vote for himself. That's the story running around the sheds. But another thing that I thought was a stand-out for you guys was the goal-kicking of El Masri in these conditions.

Folkes:
The wind has dropped away now but the couple from this grandstand side of the field across that wind were just amazing and he kicked them both differently, one he put up high and let it drift in and the other one he sorta punched a bit so yeah, he is exceptional.

ABC:
Thanks for that and best of luck for the semis.

Sources:
Bulldogs Football Club: www.bulldogs.com.au
ABC Rugby League: www.abc.net.au/rugbyleague


Bulldogs unimpressive but nail Panthers coffin
Sun September 3, 2006
The Bulldogs have limped into the NRL finals ending their two game losing streak in unimpressive fashion winning 30-22 at Penrith Stadium.

Both sides scored five tries a piece, but the Bulldogs comfortably got home on the back of a freakish goal-kicking performance from Hazem El Masri.

With Penrith putting on all four seasons throughout the match, one thing that was constant was the howling breeze.

El Masri slotted three conversions from the sideline using the wind to his advantage in several differing kicks. Penrith coach Johnny Lang called it the best goalkicking performance in a game he has seen.

For 60 minutes of the match it looked as though an understrength Penrith - missing Joel Clinton and Craig Gower - were going to farewell five of their players (Preston Campbell, Danny Galea, Craig Stapleton, Luke Swain and Lee Hookey) and the coach with a victory.

The Panthers grabbed the lead several times within the match, but the Bulldogs had enough in the tank to get the points after Dallas McIllwain sealed victory with a 70m try in the 71st minute to put the Bulldogs eight ahead.

Earlier the Panthers started the match with a try in the opening set of the game after the Bulldogs kick off sailed dead. From the resulting penalty the Panthers worked the ball downfield and found the Bulldogs short on the left wing, scoring a soft try to Tony Puletua.

The Bulldogs reacted and a strong effort from prop Chris Armit put the Bulldogs ahead 6-4.

The Panthers were disallowed a try through a double movement in the 14th minute, but only moments later Campbell kicked to the right corner and found Michael Gordon for the try.

Daniel Holdsworth looked certain to score after breaking the Panthers line in the 24th minute only to be brought down just short of the line. The try-line was too enticing for Holdsworth and another double movement try was denied.

It proved a pivotal turning point as the Panthers worked the ball downfield and once again found the Bulldogs frail on the edges to send Paul Aiton in for a try. Once again in the blustery conditions the Panthers conversion from Michael Gordon was unsuccessful.

Ahead 12-6, the Bulldogs hit back after Patten scored under the posts for the Bulldogs following some scrappy play from the Panthers.

Patten deliverd his second try straight after halftime, using his pace to burn through the Panthers fringe defences to score in the corner.

The try looked ominous for the Panthers but they held together and once again found weaknesses in the Bulldogs edge defence to score a brilliant 60 metre try to Rhys Wesser following several interchanges of passing.

As the rain started to fall Trent Waterhouse found the tryline and the Panthers were ahead 22-18.

From there the Bulldogs scored in the 60th and 71st minutes through Matt Utai and Dallas McIlwain to get the blue and whites home.

The victory; however, was disappointing with the Bulldogs never showing any amount of consistency or the defensive application required for NRL finals football. Fortunately for the club they suffered no further damage to their casualty ward, and next week will welcome back inspirational leader Willie Mason.

While the Bulldogs are one of the few clubs in the NRL that can turn around poor runs with exceptional performances, two ominous factors await their Saturday night showdown with the Raiders.

Firstly, they have never beaten the Raiders at Telstra Stadium in three attempts. The Raiders have also won three out of the past four encounters.

The Bulldogs have also not won any of their four home finals in the past 10 years:
1997 - Belmore v Panthers (4th v 5th)
2001 - Showground v Dragons (2nd v 7th)
2003 - Showground v Warriors (3rd v 6th)
2004 - Telstra v Cowboys (2nd v 7th)

Steve Folkes was both upbeat and disappointed with the performance today.

"They didn't have a lot to play for and I guess we're sorta sitting back thinking that we're playing next week anyway so it's a little bit difficult mentally to get yourself right up for something like that I think," said Folkes.

"We didn't play well today, I thought we played quite well last week, the Broncos game was a really unusual game. I know we can switch on this week and we can be ready for the Raiders on Saturday."

"We'll be a lot more intense at training and a lot more switched on and we'll play a lot better this weekend."

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