BY CURTIS WOODWARD

Perennial Intrust Super Premiership heavyweights Mounties are at a crossroad this year. Will they be as good as they’ve been in recent seasons or will they come back to the pack?

It’s no secret grand final glory still eludes this club. They were the dominant force in the competition in 2016 but were soundly outplayed by Illawarra in the decider.

2017 brings a list of changes.

This will not be the Mounties side we’re used to seeing.

From the grand final side last year, only five players remain to take on the Bulldogs this Saturday.

Halfback Sam Williams and forward Jarrad Kennedy – two of the competition’s best in 2016 – have moved on while Shaun Fensom has joined North Queensland.

Brenko Lee and Paul Vaughan are gone while Kato Ottio is out with injury.

They will rely heavily on new recruits Isaac John and Jordan Turner this weekend who make their debuts for the club.

There’s no doubting the talent but you don’t know what you got until after round one.

Players look good on paper and can be as impressive as they want in the gym or the training paddock but until you’ve played round one – nobody really knows.

Jordan Turner will join Canberra Raiders at the end of the season on a two-year contract. #SuperLeague #RugbyLeague pic.twitter.com/AJHvLlAu9U

— Super League Clubs (@SLClubs) July 14, 2016

Canterbury will give them the game they need. They are a side that always play until the 80th minute.

Commentary Team favourite Rod Griffin makes his debut for the Bulldogs alongside young hooker Zac Woolford, former Panther Andy Saunders and Josh Cleeland from Cronulla.

Don’t be surprised if the Bulldogs cause a round one upset at Aubrey Keech this Saturday.

We’re live from 2pm on Saturday bringing you this match on steelesports.com.au

Mounties: 1 Lachlan Croker 2 Eddie Aiono 3 Brent Naden 4 Reubenn Rennie 5 Dominic Reardon 6 Jordan Turner 7 Isaac John 8 Makahesi Makatoa 9 Glen Buttriss 10 Topiese Taufa 11 Anthony Moraitis 12 Marl Mccormack 13 Magnus Stromquist 14 Sam Duggan 15 Royce Hunt 16 Yileen Gordon 17 Mitch Kennedy 18 Alofi Mataele 19 Thomas Cronan 20 Rusty Bristow COACH: Stephen Antonelli

Canterbury-Bankstown: 1 Brad Abbey 2 Tyrone Phillips 3 Richie Kennear 4 Reimis Smith 5 Marcelo Montoya 6 Josh Cleeland 7 Matt Frawley (c) 8 Andy Saunders 9 Zac Woolford 10 Renouf To’omaga 11 Asipeli Fine 12 Rhyse Martin 13 Rod Griffin 14 Lachlan Lewis 15 Darcy Maroske 16 Michael Morgan 17 D’rhys Miller COACH: Steve Georgallis