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The Bulldogs’ back five has emerged the key to beating an equally understrength North Queensland Cowboys on Saturday.
Inside the Fox Sports Lab, NRL expert Tim Williams revealed to host Eloise Sohier how Canterbury had dealt with their depleted forward stocks.
Coach Cameron Ciraldo is already missing Tevita Pangai Jr, Luke Thompson and Chris Patolo through injury. Utility Fa’amanu Brown now joins the casualty ward with an elbow issue ahead of Sunday’s Cowboys clash at Accor Stadium.
“They had to overcome some adversity earlier in the season in the form of key injuries to middle forwards — their forward pack has been a little bit light on,” Williams said.
“The way they’ve managed to do that, and it’s a credit to Cam Ciraldo and their coaching staff, their back five have been tremendous.
“In particular, their centres and wingers, led by Jacob Kiraz, who in the last three games for the Doggies has averaged 26 runs per game, eight tackle busts.
“Jake Averillo has been terrific. Paul Alamoti, Josh Addo-Carr, so I think they can get the job done.”
The roster depth of North Queensland has been tested with Murray Tualagi, Scott Drinkwater, Reuben Cotter and now Jeremiah Nanai all sidelined due to injury or suspension.
“It’s a lot to overcome for them,” Williams said.
“We’ve seen the Cows overcome adversity in the past (and) they will later this season, but I still think the Doggies will be too strong at home this week.”
Williams warned the result could have an impact on halfback Kyle Flanagan’s immediate future.
“There is so much pressure on poor old Kyle Flanagan. It seems to be the story of his career,” Williams said of Flanagan, whose Bulldogs contract expires at the end of this season.
“The reason for that is they need to be winning games for him to keep his spot, because of Karl Oloapu, the young fella, he’s 18 years old, (has) come down from Queensland from the Broncos and has been killing it in reserve grade.
“If the Doggies aren’t winning and Flano is struggling a little bit, he’ll be in the NRL in no time.”
Inside the Fox Sports Lab, NRL expert Tim Williams revealed to host Eloise Sohier how Canterbury had dealt with their depleted forward stocks.
Coach Cameron Ciraldo is already missing Tevita Pangai Jr, Luke Thompson and Chris Patolo through injury. Utility Fa’amanu Brown now joins the casualty ward with an elbow issue ahead of Sunday’s Cowboys clash at Accor Stadium.
“They had to overcome some adversity earlier in the season in the form of key injuries to middle forwards — their forward pack has been a little bit light on,” Williams said.
“The way they’ve managed to do that, and it’s a credit to Cam Ciraldo and their coaching staff, their back five have been tremendous.
“In particular, their centres and wingers, led by Jacob Kiraz, who in the last three games for the Doggies has averaged 26 runs per game, eight tackle busts.
“Jake Averillo has been terrific. Paul Alamoti, Josh Addo-Carr, so I think they can get the job done.”
The roster depth of North Queensland has been tested with Murray Tualagi, Scott Drinkwater, Reuben Cotter and now Jeremiah Nanai all sidelined due to injury or suspension.
“It’s a lot to overcome for them,” Williams said.
“We’ve seen the Cows overcome adversity in the past (and) they will later this season, but I still think the Doggies will be too strong at home this week.”
Williams warned the result could have an impact on halfback Kyle Flanagan’s immediate future.
“There is so much pressure on poor old Kyle Flanagan. It seems to be the story of his career,” Williams said of Flanagan, whose Bulldogs contract expires at the end of this season.
“The reason for that is they need to be winning games for him to keep his spot, because of Karl Oloapu, the young fella, he’s 18 years old, (has) come down from Queensland from the Broncos and has been killing it in reserve grade.
“If the Doggies aren’t winning and Flano is struggling a little bit, he’ll be in the NRL in no time.”
