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Date: May 03 2012
ANZ Stadium, Friday 7.35pm (AEST)
Last meeting: Round 20 2011 - Bulldogs 8 bt Eels 7 at ANZ Stadium
Head-to-head: Eels 57 Bulldogs 68 drawn 5
Referees: Ashley Klein, Brett Suttor
TV: Channel 9 - live in Sydney, delay in Brisbane (9.30pm)
TAB Sportsbet: Eels $2.75 Bulldogs $1.47
FootyTab: Eels +6.5
Greg Prichard writes: This is a golden opportunity for the Bulldogs to start a winning run. They have lost their last two, but they were highly competitive against both the Storm and Sea Eagles in what were quality games. That is light years better than what the Eels have been dishing up. The Eels scored five tries in 13 minutes against the Tigers last weekend, but it came when the game was all over, with the Tigers leading 31-0.
AAP writes: Did Parramatta turn around their season with their burst of five tries in 13 minutes in last weekend's loss to the Tigers? They'll find out soon enough. Des Hasler's misfiring Bulldogs have lost three in a row, but their defence isn't relenting. They conceded just two tries a match in losses to heavyweights Melbourne and Manly. Eels halfback Chris Sandow returns on the bench after playing NSW Cup last week. Centre Tim Lafai joins a reshuffled Bulldogs backline, pushing Jonathan Wright to the wing, to cover the loss of Steve Turner (ruptured patella tendon). Hooker Matt Keating plays his 100th NRL game for the Eels.
Key: Ben Barba remains the Bulldogs' chief attacking force. He's scored 23 tries in his last 29 games at ANZ Stadium. Stop him, or the Eels won't have much chance of winning.
EELS: Jarryd Hayne, Luke Burt, Ryan Morgan, Willie Tonga, Ken Sio, Ben Roberts, Casey McGuire, Tim Mannah, Matthew Keating, Matt Ryan, Nathan Hindmarsh, Joseph Paulo, Reni Maitua. Interchange: Chris Sandow, Fuifui Moimoi, Justin Poore, Mitchell Allgood
BULLDOGS: Bulldogs: Ben Barba, Jonathan Wright, Josh Morris, Tim Lafai, Bryson Goodwin, Josh Reynolds, Kris Keating, Aiden Tolman, Michael Ennis (c), Sam Kasiano, Frank Pritchard, Dene Halatau, Greg Eastwood. Interchange (from): James Graham, David Stagg, Corey Payne, Joel Romelo, Martin Taupau.
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