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BULLDOGS coach Kevin Moore is confident his makeshift team has what it takes to topple Parramatta on Friday night, despite heading into the clash with an injury-ravaged side for the blockbuster clash.
Moore yesterday named what is arguably the Dogs' weakest side this season, with Ben Hannant, Josh Morris, Ben Roberts and Yileen Gordon missing through injury.
Nevertheless, the Bulldogs will be out for revenge against the side that knocked them out of last year's finals in a spectacular semi at ANZ in front of 75,000 fans.
But Moore said his side was focused only on putting together a consistent performance minus their star players.
"We haven't really been concerned by what they're doing, we're only worrying about what we can do," Moore said.
"It's certainly not the situation you want to be in, but that's footy. I have every confidence in the guys we've named to get the job done."
Moore defended his decision to name Blake Green at No. 6 despite elusive utility Ben Barba consistently starring for the club while starting from the bench. He said Brett Kimmorley and Green had continued to show promise in the halves after Green played at five-eighth for 30 minutes in the Dogs' comprehensive 36-18 win over the Broncos.
Despite the growing injury crisis in the Dogs' forward pack, Moore stood by his players saying the inclusion of strongmen Mickey Paea, Jarrad Hickey and Tim Browne could actually strengthen his engine room.
Prop Michael Hodgson said that the depth of Canterbury's injury-plagued forward pack would continue to be tested with Hannant sidelined for a month.
Hodgson made a surprise return from a knee injury on Friday night, boosting the Bulldogs' firepower up front.
"Our depth is certainly going to be tested," Hodgson said.
"He [Hannant] does a lot of quality work for our side but you lose key members of your team and you've got to shoulder their load. But as the old saying goes, no one is irreplaceable."
Stepping up to fill the holes in their forward ranks are Chris Armit and Browne, who made his NRL debut this season and will play off the bench against the Eels.
Former Penrith flyer Junior Tia-Kilifi will make his debut for the Bulldogs as Morris's replacement in the centres, while Hickey has been promoted to first grade after consecutive man-of-the-match performances in the NSW Cup.
Lol @ hickey haters that say ANYONE OTHER THEN HICKEY, he is obviously performing better then any other prop in the reggies if his taken 2 mom awards in a row
Moore yesterday named what is arguably the Dogs' weakest side this season, with Ben Hannant, Josh Morris, Ben Roberts and Yileen Gordon missing through injury.
Nevertheless, the Bulldogs will be out for revenge against the side that knocked them out of last year's finals in a spectacular semi at ANZ in front of 75,000 fans.
But Moore said his side was focused only on putting together a consistent performance minus their star players.
"We haven't really been concerned by what they're doing, we're only worrying about what we can do," Moore said.
"It's certainly not the situation you want to be in, but that's footy. I have every confidence in the guys we've named to get the job done."
Moore defended his decision to name Blake Green at No. 6 despite elusive utility Ben Barba consistently starring for the club while starting from the bench. He said Brett Kimmorley and Green had continued to show promise in the halves after Green played at five-eighth for 30 minutes in the Dogs' comprehensive 36-18 win over the Broncos.
Despite the growing injury crisis in the Dogs' forward pack, Moore stood by his players saying the inclusion of strongmen Mickey Paea, Jarrad Hickey and Tim Browne could actually strengthen his engine room.
Prop Michael Hodgson said that the depth of Canterbury's injury-plagued forward pack would continue to be tested with Hannant sidelined for a month.
Hodgson made a surprise return from a knee injury on Friday night, boosting the Bulldogs' firepower up front.
"Our depth is certainly going to be tested," Hodgson said.
"He [Hannant] does a lot of quality work for our side but you lose key members of your team and you've got to shoulder their load. But as the old saying goes, no one is irreplaceable."
Stepping up to fill the holes in their forward ranks are Chris Armit and Browne, who made his NRL debut this season and will play off the bench against the Eels.
Former Penrith flyer Junior Tia-Kilifi will make his debut for the Bulldogs as Morris's replacement in the centres, while Hickey has been promoted to first grade after consecutive man-of-the-match performances in the NSW Cup.
Lol @ hickey haters that say ANYONE OTHER THEN HICKEY, he is obviously performing better then any other prop in the reggies if his taken 2 mom awards in a row
