NRL Round 5 Preview and Prediction - Canterbury Bulldogs v Brisbane Broncos @ ANZ Stadium

Canterbury Bulldogs v Brisbane Broncos @ ANZ Stadium
 
Preview - The Bulldogs will be looking to put a nightmare week behind them when they host their first home game at ANZ Stadium this year against the Broncos. The Bulldogs put in a hapless performance as they were trounced 36-0 by the Sea Eagles at Brookvale Oval. The loss mean the Dogs sit rooted in the Bottom 4 after a month of footy, which has intensified the pressure around off-contract Head Coach Des Hasler. The Broncos managed to scramble across the line 13-12 against the Raiders in a tough and uncompromising game at Suncorp Stadium last Friday night. The Broncos have now been involved in three straight games decided by 2 points or less, and sit at 2 wins and 2 losses having perhaps had the toughest draw in the NRL over the opening 4 weeks. 
 
History - The Broncos have won 5 of their last 7 games against the Bulldogs over the past few years. Last season when the sides clashed during the Origin period, the Bulldogs humiliated the Broncos at ANZ Stadium racking up 40 points . Later in the year the Broncos got their revenge in a heated clash at Suncorp Stadium where there were a number of scuffles between both packs. 
 
Canterbury Bulldogs Scouting Report - With Moses Mbye sidelined with suspension, Matt Frawley debuts for the Bulldogs at halfback. Frawley has played 84 matches in the NSW Cup and, at 22 years of age, might have thought his opportunity to play NRL was passing him by, however he gets a golden opportunity to put pressure on Mbye here. Apart from this forced change, the Bulldogs remain unchanged from the side that were demolished by Manly. Des Hasler will be looking to some of his senior forwards in James Graham, Josh Jackson and David Klemmer to really stand up and get on top of this Brisbane forward pack. 
 
Brisbane Broncos Scouting Report - The Broncos have had an injury free run to start the season and name the same starting 13 again here. Anthony Milford will be looking to bounce back after he had perhaps his worst game for the Club last week, making a number of unforced errors. One thing about Wayne Bennett coached teams is they seem to be rock solid defensively, and in this the Broncos have once again excelled this year through the first month of the season. The Broncos have conceded just 65 points in the opening four rounds at an average of just 16 points per game. 
 
Verdict - Broncos by 1-8 in a low scoring game 

I can't tip the Bulldogs on what they produced last week. However, I am very wary of a bounce back factor in this game for a team on the rebound, circling the wagons and ambushing teams after a terrible performance. Back at home, at ANZ Stadium, I think this Bulldogs’ side will come out fired up and make this a very physical and tight encounter for the whole 80 minutes. However, I just think Brisbane have a far better spine capable of capitalising on field possession and opportunities. No amount of training or tactics seems to be able to fix this clunky Bulldogs’ side that continue to be bereft of ideas and disorganised inside the opponent’s red zone. I expect the Dogs to really go back to basics here and just try a simple game plan of carting the ball forward and drag the Broncos into an arm wrestle. If the Bulldogs go down in a convincing manner here, expect the noose to really tighten around Head Coach Des Hasler