NRL Round 3 Preview - Bulldogs v Panthers @ ANZ Stadium

Canterbury Bulldogs v Penrith Panthers @ ANZ Stadium
 
Preview - It's a crucial game for the struggling Bulldogs as they play their first home game of the season up against the undefeated Panthers at ANZ Stadium on Friday night. The Bulldogs seem like a Club in turmoil off the field at the moment, with the Board elections being hotly disputed, and that might have transferred to the field with the side coughing up 66 points in their opening two rounds against the Storm and the Roosters. The Panthers have now pulled off two straight 14-point come-from-behind victories at home, after getting out of jail against the Rabbitohs at Pepper Stadium last Saturday night. The Panthers once again played their best football when they seemingly threw caution to the wind. However, the starts would be a big concern for Anthony Griffin. 
 
History - These sides have traded wins over the past six seasons with Penrith registering 6 wins to the Bulldogs 5 in the last 11 encounters. The last time these two sides met was in Round 13 last season, when the Panthers embarrassed the Bulldogs 38-0 at the same venue they clash at in ANZ Stadium, in what was one of the Bulldogs’ worst performances for several years.  In 2016 the Bulldogs snuck away with a 18-16 in Round 2, however they were belted 28-12 in Week 1 of the finals by a Panthers' side that dominated them totally on the day, ending the Bulldogs' season. Interestingly, the Panthers have a shocking recent record at ANZ Stadium, having lost 6 of their last 7 games there, with their last win at the venue coming against the Bulldogs in 2014. 
 
Canterbury Bulldogs' Scouting Report - The Bulldogs have sprung a selection surprise, with five eight Matt Frawley dumped to Reserve Grade after just two games. Jeremy Marshall-King, the younger brother of Benji Marshall, will start at Number 6 in just his second game of First Grade, after debuting for the Tigers in Round 26 last season. 
 
Penrith Panthers' Scouting Report - The Panthers have stuck solid with the side that have now twice come from 14 points behind, to win their first two games of the season. Nathan Cleary once again showed last week why many are tipping him to be the NSW halfback this season, by laying on the match-winning try for Tyrone Peachey with a lovely inside pass. 
 
Verdict - Bulldogs by 1-6 in a low scoring game
 
I'm just going on a gut feeling here that the Bulldogs might show up and ambush a Penrith side that, despite winning both games, have been a bit airy fairy. The Bulldogs will be desperate to avoid a 0-3 start and, despite their defence being a huge concern, they have played two of the Premiership favourites in the Storm and the Roosters in consecutive weeks. The Panthers have got away with two victories in which they put in far from convincing displays, and they can’t afford to keep doing the same and thinking they will get away with victories. I think the Bulldogs forwards will go back to playing a bash and barge style here and try and dominate the middle of the field. They have three NSW Origin players in the team and, with this being their first home game of the season and desperate to get a first win for Dean Pay, I think they might sneak home with a gritty style of win.