Final Word with Hook: Round 21
penrithpanthers.com.au
Wed 26 Jul 2017, 03:34 PM
Anthony Griffin has backed Tyrone May to repeat his debut heroics against a fired-up Bulldogs outfit that will be keen to bounce back from their last-start collapse.
Matt Moylan re-aggravated his hamstring injury in the victory over the Titans last Saturday. With a short turnaround heading into Thursday night's game, it has paved the way for May to return to the top grade after his try-scoring debut helped down the Warriors in New Zealand a fortnight ago.
"He (May) did a good job that night (against the Warriors)," Griffin said.
"It's always tough going to New Zealand and having to beat them over there.
"He learned a couple of lessons early but he did a good job in general that night.
"He can't do any more than what he did two weeks ago, though, and that puts him in a good position to start the game tomorrow night."
With only a five day break between games, May will have to step up to the intensity of NRL after a week in the Intrust Super Premiership NSW side. Griffin suggests it will be no problem given his standout performance in the 42-12 win over Illawarra.
"I don't think that will affect him (the step up)," Griffin said.
"He played really well in the NSW Cup last week and that's what you want to see. He looked like a first-grader going back to NSW Cup so I was really pleased to see that.
"He's a confident boy and he's earned the right to be there… and I'm sure he'll do a good job for us."
Recent results have seen the Bulldogs players and coach come under fire as the side sit 13th on the ladder off the back of eight defeats in eleven games. But Griffin suggests a wounded Bulldogs side is when they're at their most dangerous.
"It (the criticism) just makes them harder to beat. It would be nice if they had a nice, quiet week," he said.
"All I know is when Canterbury have a bad week like they had last week on the football field, they're a really proud, strong club and every time they've had a bad week this year they've bounced back with a win and a really strong performance.
"That's the stuff we're getting ourselves prepared for…I've got no doubt it'll be a real semi-final like atmosphere tomorrow night.
"The Dogs are a really physical and experienced side."
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