The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs have celebrated Viliame Kikau's 150th game in style with a 28-10 victory over the Dragons before a sold out Netstrata Jubilee Stadium to solidify their finals chances.
The Dragons had all of the early running but an early attack was brought unstuck. A Ben Hunt pass was intercepted by Matt Burton who ran the best part of 90 metres to score. Burton converted his own try for a 6-0 advantage.
That intercept swung momentum as Christian Tuipulotu put down a Toby Sexton bomb. That was quickly compounded with a penalty as Burton added a gift two points to extend the margin to eight. St George Illawarra did well to respond to this and got the margin back to two points after a great tactical kick from Ben Hunt. Hunt threaded the needle for a kick line-break and Zac Lomax has enough pace to beat Addo-Carr to get the bounce and get the Dragons on the board. It wasn't all flying the Saints way with Hame Sele coming off after suffering an irregular heartbeat.
A quick fire double to Bronson Xerri inside the final 15 minutes of the first half seemed to give the Dogs acendency. The first came after 25 minutes after a well timed grubber from Toby Sexton. Four minutes later, the half and centre combination struck again after a brilliant pass sent Xerri flying to make it 20-6. However, the Dragons had the final say as Kyle Flanagan and Luciano Leilua combined with Tyrell Sloan for the old outside/inside play to send the fullback flying down the left to reduce the gap to eight at the break.
The second stanza was a dour affair as both sides jostled for ascendency. Canterbury capitalised on some sustained field position down the attacking end of the field and crossed with just over twenty to play. Kurt Mann bumps off some really poor defensive efforts there for the Dragons and the little lock forward barged over to score. Burton's conversion made it a 16 point game.
The Dragons had limited second half possession but when they did, they did very little with the football and the Dogs were able to hold them scoreless in the second stanza. Jacob Kiraz looked certain to score with 13 and a half to go, but a courageous tackle by Moses Suli and the Lebanese winger was denied to the boos of the Canterbury faithful. Burton added a gift two points with just over 5 to play after Hunt was pinned for offside.
Canterbury were great and gritty putting together a great 80 minute performance against a team fighting to make the finals. For the Dragons, they just didn't execute in the big moments, that's where they lost the match tonight.
The Bulldogs' Dominance
The Bulldogs' victory was a testament to their resilience and tactical prowess. They were able to capitalize on early opportunities and maintain pressure throughout the game. The Bulldogs' defense was particularly impressive, shutting down the Dragons' attack in the second half.
Key Moments and Player Performances
The game was turned on its head early when Matt Burton intercepted a Ben Hunt pass and raced away 90 metres to score. This early momentum was crucial for the Bulldogs, who never looked back.
Bronson Xerri's two tries in the first half were also crucial in the Bulldogs' victory. The centre's speed and agility proved too much for the Dragons' defense. Toby Sexton was instrumental in setting up both of Xerri's tries, showcasing his playmaking ability.
Dragons Struggle to Respond
The Dragons were unable to maintain their early dominance, struggling to generate attacking opportunities in the second half. The Dragons' defense was also vulnerable, particularly against the Bulldogs' powerful forward pack.
The Impact of Injuries
The Dragons were dealt a blow early in the game when Hame Sele was forced off the field with an irregular heartbeat. Sele's absence was felt throughout the game, especially in the forward pack.
Looking Ahead
The Bulldogs' victory puts them in a strong position to secure a finals berth. The Dragons, on the other hand, face a tough battle to stay in contention. The Dragons' loss will be a blow to their hopes of making the top eight, but they will be looking to bounce back in their next game.
The Final Whistle
The Dragons' loss to the Bulldogs was a disappointing outcome for the home side. The Dragons were unable to capitalize on their early momentum, and their defense faltered in the second half. The Bulldogs, on the other hand, were able to maintain pressure and execute their game plan effectively. The victory puts the Bulldogs in a strong position to secure a finals berth, while the Dragons will be looking to bounce back in their next match.
Game Summary
St. George Illawarra Dragons 10 - Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 28
Venue: Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, Carlton / Bidjigal## Crowd: 18416## Halftime Score: St. George Illawarra Dragons 10 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 20
LeagueUnlimited.com Players of the Match:
- 3 points - Toby Sexton
- 2 points - Jacob Preston
- 1 points - Harry Hayes
