The Bulldogs scraped past a resilient Western Suburbs Magpies outfit last weekend after enjoying the previous week off. The Dogs looked shaky for a short period when Wests took the lead but the class of Nathan Smith, Daniel Harrison and co took over and the Dogs eventually closed things out 32-24.
The positive for Justin Hollbrook’s men is the majority of his side has remained unchanged throughout season 2010 whereas Windsor experienced a rather interrupted mid-season with injuries in the Panther’s backline.
Daine Laurie looks set to return for the Wolves after a one-week suspension while for the Dogs, Daniel Harrison has been promoted to the starting lineup for Corey Payne who returns to the bench.
The battle of the backlines shapes as a real treat, both teams have three brilliant finishers with Trent Cutler, Heka Nanai and Junior Tia-Kilifi for the Dogs up against Zoram Watene, David Simmons and Sandor Earl from Windsor.
The above combinations have combined for a total of 47 and 46 tries respectively so we should see some fireworks come midday Sunday.
The forwards battle isn’t far behind with Laurie set to add some extra spice into a clash of titanic proportions. Windsor workhorses Aaron Sweeney, Steve Meredith and Josh Bateman come up against the speed, flair and skill of Tim Browne, Manly bound Daniel Harrison, Yileen Gordon and Corey Payne.
A number of Dogs will be handed one final chance in 2010 to impress Canterbury hierarchy as the likes of Michael Lett, Jonathon Wright and Grant Millington are all bound for the club in 2011 and with competition for spots likely to be fierce, a premiership medallion will look quite good in the selection room.
For the Wolves, Maurice Blair bounced back to form with an impressive display last week and would love to make his mark on the NSW Cup one final time before he departs for the Melbourne Storm in 2011.
We are set for a fitting end to what has been an outstanding season in the NSW Cup and with two of the more offensive minded teams in the competition doing battle, ANZ Stadium is set to explode come midday Sunday.
Previous Meetings:
• Round 5 - Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 30 def. Windsor Wolves 24 at The Crest Stadium
• Round 19 - Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 46 def. Windsor Wolves 12 at Windsor Sports Complex
NSW Cup - Grand Final Preview
30/09/2010 3:28:08 PM
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs V Windsor Wolves
ANZ Stadium, Sunday, October 3, 2010
Kick-off: 12.00pm
Referee: David Munro
Broadcast: LIVE TV coverage on Channel 9 and Radio coverage on 2GB and ABC
1 Zoram Watene
2 Dave Simmons
3 Ryan Walker
4 Michael Mate
5 Sandor Earl
6 Maurice Blair
7 Craig Trindall
8 Steve Meredith
9 Ryan Russell
10 Aaron Sweeney
11 Joseph Paulo
12 Nigel Plum
13 Josh Bateman14 Reece Goldsmith
15 Matthew McConnell
16 David Tangata-Toa
17 Jesse Sene-Lefao
20 Daine Laurie
23 Brendan Vengoa
24 Daniel Penese
Coach: Guy Missio
1 Trent Cutler
2 Heka Nanai
3 Shane Neumann
4 Daniel Rauicava
5 Junior Tia-Kilifi
6 Rhys Jack
7 Josh Reynolds
8 Brad Morrin
9 Nathan Smith
10 Tim Browne
11 Daniel Harrison
12 Yileen Gordon
13 Danny Williams14 Corey Payne
15 Harlan Alaalatoa
16 Conrad Taakimoeaka
17 Kose Lelei
19 Benson Tupou
Coach: Justin Holbrook
Holbrook's Heroes
1/10/2010 8:41:05 AM
In his first year coaching the side Holbrook is just 80 minutes away from a title, with his talented outfit winning through to the Grand Final with a determined win over Western Suburbs in week three of the finals.
There they will meet a Windsor side that will be looking to upset its third straight more fancied opponent, having toppled second placed Balmain-Ryde-Eastwood last weekend and Newtown the weekend before.
“It’s been a very good year, and it’s great to be in a Grand Final Sunday,” Holbrook said. “As long as we’re well prepared for what Windsor is going to throw at us I’m sure we’ll be able to combat it.
“Windsor are just really peaking at the right time I guess. They’ve got a lot of confidence, they came from behind against Newtown with 12 men the week before beating Balmain, so we’re obviously playing a confident side. They’re a big strong side, so I’m expecting it to be pretty physical obviously, and Craig Trindall at half, he likes to play a bit of football so I think they’ll throw it around.”
Sunday’s match kicks off at midday, and will be broadcast live on the Nine Network.
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