Round 18
Bulldogs 20 l. Penrith Panthers 30

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

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

Panthers end horror week with brilliance
Sat July 14, 2007
The Penrith Panthers have put a week of inner club turmoil behind them with a come from behind victory over the Bulldogs 30-20.

Down 14-4 at halftime, the Panthers looked to be heading for another loss but a period of brilliance immediately after halftime resulted in a devastating 6-7 minutes for the Bulldogs.

Forward superstar Willie Mason left the field with a dislocated wrist and Cameron Phelps suffered a fractured eye socket. These injuries on top of International trio Sonny Bill Williams, Mark O'Meley and Willie Tonga who were ruled out before kick-off due to niggling injuries.

Penrith eyed the weakened prey and struck.

The Panthers scored three unanswered tries in the space of five minutes to come from 14-4 behind to 20-14 ahead during which time the Bulldogs never even held possesion of the football.

Shortly after the Bulldogs lost rookie forward Aaron Wheatley and down to 14 players for the rest of the match and all the momentum flowing Penrith's way they were unable to do anything to reverse the flow of the game.

Earlier in the match, Geoff Daniela opened the scoring after Frank Pritchard basketball passed to find the winger with space to score in the corner. But that was Penrith's only joy for the opening half.

The Bulldogs quickly responded minutes later when Ben Roberts found space and reached out to score on the fringe. The ever reliable Hazem El Masri pushed the kick wide to leave the scores level.

Four minutes later a short pass sent Willie Mason into space 30m out and the big forward was unstoppable, Panthers fullback Michael Gordon having little impact on stopping the big man. El Masri having another rare off night pushed the kick wide once more.

In the 30th minute Daryl Millard scored a softish try after the Panthers opened up on the fringes again - this time El Masri made no mistake with his toughest kick of the night.

The try looked ominous for the Panthers but the break was the best thing to happen for them.

A sweeping passing movement that went across field a number of times eventually opened up the Bulldogs as the outside defence compressed infield allowing centre Maurice Blair to score in the 46th minute.

Tony Puletua then opened up the Bulldogs to level the scores moments after. Then off the kick off winger Nick Youngquest found space against a weakened Bulldogs defensive wing carving them open to score.

Ahead by 10 points the shell-shocked Bulldogs could only look on as they found themselves behind before they could even catch breath.

Any hopes of a reversal were negated when Youngquest scored a double in the 59th minute, Geoff Daniela captured his second ten minutes later.

Nick Kouparitsas posted a consolation try for the Bulldogs who not only suffered the disasterous loss but also face a massive and mounting injury toll from only two matches of football at the wrong end of the season.

The Panthers celebrate, and coach Matt Elliott stated that the turmoil looked worse from the outside than what was actually happening internally - would still be filled with relief over his sides performance.

The win stills leaves the Panthers in last place after the Roosters also upset the Cronulla Sharks this evening.

There is only a six competition gap between the 7th placed Bulldogs and last placed Panthers - a drop of form by any team in that bracket in the coming weeks will see them firm for the wooden spoon.

Punters around the country are also celebrating following a landslide of money on the Panthers who opened at $5.75 in a two horse race earlier in the week.


Morrin replaces injured Cleal, Ryan takes early guilty plea
Tue July 10, 2007
Source: www.bulldogs.com.au

Bulldogs coach Steve Folkes has made just one change to the side to meet the Panthers this Saturday at Telstra Stadium at 5:30pm.

Brad Morrin comes into the 17 for the injured Kane Cleal who is out of action for the rest of the season with a broken jaw.

Meanwhile, captain Andrew Ryan has taken the early guilty plea with regard to the grade one Dangerous Throw charge he incurred out of last Sunday's win over the Sharks.

The early plea means that Ryan will play this Saturday against the Panthers.

Ryan has applied for and been granted the seven year incident free discount which means he has 62 carry-over points to his name.

1. Luke Patten
2. Hazem El Masri
3. Daryl Millard
4. Willie Tonga
5. Cameron Phelps
6. Ben Roberts
7. Brent Sherwin
8. Mark O'Meley
9. Corey Hughes
10. Willie Mason
11. Sonny Bill Williams
12. Andrew Ryan (c)
13. Reni Maitua

Interchange:
14. Adam Perry
15. Nick Kouparitsas
16. Brad Morrin
17. Jarrad Hickey


News sent by: www.bulldogs.com.au

Advanced Search