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Panthers on guard for Bulldogs' bite

3 minute read

Fullback Dylan Edwards is expecting ex-Panthers trio Matt Burton, Brent Naden and Tevita Pangai to help the Bulldogs lift in their NRL clash.

DYLAN EDWARDS. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

With three former teammates in the Canterbury line-up, Penrith expect the Bulldogs to show some bite despite the gap between their NRL ladder spots.

New Bulldogs five-eighth Matt Burton, centre Brent Naden and forward Tevita Pangai are set to take on their former side for the first time.

While the defending premiers sit top of the table and remain the only unbeaten team in the NRL, the Bulldogs are 1-3 in 14th spot.

Taking on the Panthers is a formidable task for the Bulldogs recruits on the back of their 44-0 shellacking by Melbourne last round.

But Panthers fullback Dylan Edwards is expecting stiff opposition from his ex-clubmen on Sunday night at CommBank Stadium.

"They'll definitely be up for it, playing against their old side," Edwards said on Tuesday.

"You know what they like to do and what they don't, but they know the same about us.

"I'm sure 'Burto' and 'Nado' will be talking heaps."

Edwards, who was a stand-out in their 26-12 win over South Sydney last round, dismissed the Bulldogs' lopsided scoreline against the Storm.

In the three rounds previously the biggest margin was just six and Edwards rates their forward pack.

He said the addition of Burton, Naden and ex-Storm flyer Josh Addo-Carr to the backs made them a threat.

"The scoreline on the weekend probably doesn't reflect my opinion of the game," Edwards said.

"There was a couple of tries against the run of play and physically they were really good early on, but the Storm just capitalised on a couple of mistakes and kicked away.

"I've been impressed with their month of footy."

Burton has made a transition from a premiership-winning centre at Penrith, and their leading tryscorer last season, to wearing the No.6 jersey at Canterbury.

Edwards is impressed.

"He's only early into his halves career there but I've been really impressed with him," he said of the 22-year-old.

"He's got a massive left boot and his running game is awesome too."