NRL semi-finals: Bulldogs vs Roosters preview, betting lines

The hype of the semi-finals set to kick off at the Allianz Stadium on September 18, has already reached its peak with Canterbury distributing Early Knock Off letters.

Raelene Castle, the CEO, came up with a letter to the employers of Bulldogs fans urging them to let them off work early to watch the game. The letters were distributed with the club’s merchandise on Wednesday.

The Bulldogs have lost five out of the last six clashes with the Sydney Roosters, but look to reverse their fortune with a full arsenal now that key player Frank Pritchard has been cleared to play. The Roosters, on the other hand, will look to capitalize on their strong defence against the Belmore boys, with the absence of Canterbury’s Trent Hodkinson also shaking up the kicking factor.

Captain Mitchell Pearce, still recovering from a hamstring injury, has been declared unfit to play for the Tricolours at the clash of the teams who have both played games with a minimum of 100 points this season.

Des Hasler’s boys, coming in with an unchanged side, have a record of around 120 more plays, including shortsides and shifts, than the Roosters this year. At the same time, Roosters have the most control over tries from kicks thanks to the gigantic Daniel Tupou and bulls-eye boot James Maloney.

Trent Robinson of the Roosters has brought in Jackson Hastings to the bench and Suaia Matagi to the extended bench, in replacement of Pearce.

The key match-up on Friday is undoubtedly Roger Tuivasa-Sheck vs Brett Morris, with the former’s record runs (22.3 per game) rivalling the latter’s reputation of being amongst the best wingers of the world. September has always been Hasler’s favourite winning time but the Roosters have earned their title of season favourites with flair too.

According to bookies at Sportsbet.com.au, the winning margin might tip towards the Tricolours 1-12 but it is guaranteed that the game will be a tight scrape for anyone.

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