dogie
thruthick&thin
- Joined
- Mar 14, 2010
- Messages
- 2,550
- Reaction score
- 9
Former Kangaroos halfback Brett Kimmorley says his young apprentice Trent Hodkinson is a big-match player, a wrap that goes on the line in Monday Night Football when the Canterbury-Bankstown No.7 faces off against Melbourne Storm superstar Cooper Cronk.
The Bulldogs travel to AAMI Park on Monday night as the only undefeated team in the NRL, however their clean sheet is under threat against a Storm side who they have not beat in Melbourne since 2005.
Central to deciding the clash will be the two No.7s; Craig Bellamy believes Cronk is in rare form while Hodkinson has impressed under the tutelage of Kimmorley since arriving from Manly.
“What we've been working in the off-season up until now is his ability to control the game and be composed,” said Fox Sports commentator Kimmorley, who works with Hodkinson as part of his coaching role at the Bulldogs.
"Composure is also Cooper's strength - his ability to steer Melbourne Storm around.
"His ability to be patient and comes up with the right plays at the right time is why he is such a good player.
"I think it's a great challenge for Trent to go down there to Melbourne. He is a big-match player."
A big part of Kimmorley's coaching role with the Bulldogs has focused on furthering Hodkinson's football education - making the right play at the right time; learning when to run a play and when to turn the ball inside and set-up for the next tackle.
The partnership has worked. The Bulldogs have won three consecutive matches with the halves pairing of 22-year-olds Hodkinson and Kris Keating - a combination that has developed at rapid speed given the pair only landed at Belmore in the off-season.
"Their ability in the first three games to stay in control, complete the sets and kick really well has been a big strength for them,” Kimmorley said.
“Kris is a great ball player and Trent showed some signs last week of his running game getting stronger.
"Both of those players would be quietly confident in how they’ve been playing ... it’s just a matter of playing good every week and giving the Bulldogs the best opportunity to win."
Monday Night Football looms not only as Hodkinson's biggest test, but also the Bulldogs'. Melbourne Storm have won their past eight matches at AAMI Park, their last loss coming on a Monday night against Sydney Roosters in round 14, 2010.
In fact, Monday Night Football has proved quite the hurdle for Bellamy's men. They have lost their past five Monday night matches.
Adding further cause for optimism for Bulldogs fans is that Melbourne have their worst winning percentage against the Dogs, the Storm having triumphed in just 11 of their 25 games against them (44 per cent).
However, Kimmorley warned that a Melbourne side coming off embarrassing last-start performance against North Queensland Cowboys would be a team to be reckoned with.
"Melbourne Storm were uncharacteristic last week - they don’t usually put in bad performances," he said.
"Coach Craig Bellamy will have them really fired up after a big loss to the Cowboys."
I really hope we win tonight
The Bulldogs travel to AAMI Park on Monday night as the only undefeated team in the NRL, however their clean sheet is under threat against a Storm side who they have not beat in Melbourne since 2005.
Central to deciding the clash will be the two No.7s; Craig Bellamy believes Cronk is in rare form while Hodkinson has impressed under the tutelage of Kimmorley since arriving from Manly.
“What we've been working in the off-season up until now is his ability to control the game and be composed,” said Fox Sports commentator Kimmorley, who works with Hodkinson as part of his coaching role at the Bulldogs.
"Composure is also Cooper's strength - his ability to steer Melbourne Storm around.
"His ability to be patient and comes up with the right plays at the right time is why he is such a good player.
"I think it's a great challenge for Trent to go down there to Melbourne. He is a big-match player."
A big part of Kimmorley's coaching role with the Bulldogs has focused on furthering Hodkinson's football education - making the right play at the right time; learning when to run a play and when to turn the ball inside and set-up for the next tackle.
The partnership has worked. The Bulldogs have won three consecutive matches with the halves pairing of 22-year-olds Hodkinson and Kris Keating - a combination that has developed at rapid speed given the pair only landed at Belmore in the off-season.
"Their ability in the first three games to stay in control, complete the sets and kick really well has been a big strength for them,” Kimmorley said.
“Kris is a great ball player and Trent showed some signs last week of his running game getting stronger.
"Both of those players would be quietly confident in how they’ve been playing ... it’s just a matter of playing good every week and giving the Bulldogs the best opportunity to win."
Monday Night Football looms not only as Hodkinson's biggest test, but also the Bulldogs'. Melbourne Storm have won their past eight matches at AAMI Park, their last loss coming on a Monday night against Sydney Roosters in round 14, 2010.
In fact, Monday Night Football has proved quite the hurdle for Bellamy's men. They have lost their past five Monday night matches.
Adding further cause for optimism for Bulldogs fans is that Melbourne have their worst winning percentage against the Dogs, the Storm having triumphed in just 11 of their 25 games against them (44 per cent).
However, Kimmorley warned that a Melbourne side coming off embarrassing last-start performance against North Queensland Cowboys would be a team to be reckoned with.
"Melbourne Storm were uncharacteristic last week - they don’t usually put in bad performances," he said.
"Coach Craig Bellamy will have them really fired up after a big loss to the Cowboys."
I really hope we win tonight
