Bennett wary of Bulldog battlers

ON paper, Wayne Bennett does not seem to have much to worry about.

Brisbane has won seven of its past nine NRL games to remain on track for a top-four finish. And injury concerns, boom youngsters Tevita Pangai (hamstring/ankle) and Kotoni Staggs (knee), have been cleared to play tonight’s clash with lowly Canterbury.

But the Broncos coach admits he is concerned about taking on the 13th-placed Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium, describing it as a “danger game”.

Bennett says his seventhplaced side has battled all season against opponents outside the top eight and believes it’s time to end the worrying trend.

“We have got to beat teams that we can beat,” he said.

“That’s our next step and we have a golden opportunity [tonight].”

The Bulldogs registered just their fifth win of the year last round, a 16-4 upset over Wests Tigers, but gave Brisbane a scare last time they met — the Broncos’ 22-20 Round 9 victory at Suncorp Stadium.

Still, their chances of going back to back for the first time in 2018 have been hampered by the suspension of NSW enforcer Dave Klemmer.

Danny Fualalo starts instead at prop and mid-season recruit Chris Smith makes his club debut off the bench.

“It’s a huge loss. You don’t replace players like him,” Bulldogs coach Dean Pay said of Klemmer.

“He’s the form front-rower in the competition in my opinion but Chris Smith gets his opportunity.

“Our young guys are having a red-hot crack. We just need to get some consistency in what we are doing.”

The Bulldogs have won five of their past seven against Brisbane at ANZ Stadium but another loss will keep them at five wins, their fewest after 20 rounds since their 2008 wooden spoon year. WESTS Tigers veteran Robbie Farah has hinted at being offered another contract by the club to play what would be a 17th season in the NRL.

However whether or not he has the desire to run around again at 35 years of age remains to be seen.