A mighty second-half defensive effort allowed Brisbane to open their 2014 NRL season with a hard-earned victory, holding off Canterbury 18-12 at ANZ Stadium on Friday.
A Lachlan Maranta try, awarded by video referee Henry Perenara, after he overruled on-field official Shayne Hayne four minutes from time clinched the two points for the visitors – to record their first win at this venue since 2008.
Catch up on highlights from the opening round clash:
It was a sweet return to Sydney for Ben Barba, who was jeered by the home supporters who used to worship him with every touch, in an entertaining encounter in front of another disappointing crowd of 18,040.
Barba’s first touch was a trademark step, shimmy and blistering burst of pace to race past three Bulldogs players and towards the halfway line.
He then set up the opening try with a perfect grubber-kick into the grateful arms of Dale Copley and the centre scored.
Anthony Griffin’s side increased their advantage when former Canberra and St George Illawarra winger Daniel Vidot lunged over on his Brisbane debut with skipper Corey Parker adding the extras.
A Parker penalty stretched the lead to 14-0 with the visitors well in control and looking promising in attack.
However, some mediocre kicking from young halfback Ben Hunt allowed the Bulldogs to slowly claw their way back with skipper Michael Ennis and Josh Reynolds both going close to scoring.
The hosts finally put themselves on the board just before halftime when NSW star Josh Morris hauled in a Trent Hodkinson kick.
The four points came after a penalty against Martin Kennedy, the front-rower put on report for a high shot on James Graham.
Hodkinson’s kick reduced the deficit to 14-6 at the break and the Bulldogs came charging out of the blocks after the restart.
Led by Graham and Frank Pritchard, the Bulldogs’ giant pack started to rumble as the visitors found themselves on the back foot and desperately defending their line.
Tony Williams finally breached their defences on the hour mark when he barrelled over from close range.
Pritchard then sent back-rower Todd Lowrie back to the sheds with a huge shot, with the back-rower coming off second-best after racing out of the line to make the tackle.
The Bulldogs set up camp in the final third of the field but Griffin’s side showed unbelievable character to hold on.
Dale Finucane should have scored, but dropped the ball with the line at his mercy and Ennis was held up by five yellow jerseys.
A welcome penalty allowed Brisbane to clear the line and, buoyed by their defensive heroics, Maranta raced over in the right corner, with Perenara ruling Hayne’s call for obstruction did not disadvantage the Bulldogs.
“It’s was emotional coming back and it is out of the way now,” Barba told the Nine Network.
“I wanted to start the game confidently and get a bit of a break to settle the nerves. It was nice to come away with a win.”
Passionate_Aussie
Roar Rookie
That they do.
Scrubbit
Guest
The football gods operate in mysterious ways. Beyond the comprehensive abilities of mere fans.
Scrubbit
Guest
I think he'll ask how can anyone expect a team to come up and play in this ridiculous tropical heat.
Passionate_Aussie
Roar Rookie
Jack, whether correct or not, i'm following the stats given by the NRL. I trust those stats for the sole reason of you'd expect their data to be the most accurate, especially considering it's their competition. I did see that stat though that popped up on the screen on channel 9. It was accurate at the time it was provided.
Scrubbit
Guest
I'm not sure of the exact star but they dropped a lot of ball in that 15 minute period when the bulldogs had momentum. I think they finished about the same as the dogs in completion after only committing two errors the first half.
Scrubbit
Guest
A truly great opponent with grand achievements. Such as the ummm... Ahhh... Auckland nines? Lol just trolling ;) cowboys should be a top 4 contender this year.
Jack
Guest
Towards the end of the game on Nine I saw they had a completion rate of 80% (the dogs had something like 70-75% at the time). Granted that's a channel Nine statistic (take it with a grain of salt) but they probably didn't complete too well in the last 15 minutes. They did do a hell of a lot of defending.
Jack
Guest
McCullough had a great game, far better than his opposite number Ennis. Ennis would try to go himself on the last or grubber kick to no chasers, McCullough went for the line himself on the 2nd or 3rd and nearly went over once or twice, and provided excellent service and great defence. Also chipped in a few times with decent kicks when Hunt was unavailable due to being tackled. If you think McCullough was a 'selfish ball hog (sic)', I'd like to hear what you think of Ennis.
Muzz
Guest
From the 2 games that i have watched the Bunnies are the only team that have adjusted well to the cannon ball rule with only 2 defenders required the majority of the time to stop the momentum of the attacking player while the D line resets.The Roosters and Bulldogs struggled with it and understandably so as we are playing TACKLE footy and a 3rd man is generally required to stop some of the bigger boys.The 3rd man is hesitating which is giving the attacking player opportunity to offload or take the tackle standing up and play the ball quickly like you see in touch footy.
Passionate_Aussie
Roar Rookie
I don't know who's worse: Toovey of Ricky?
Kingcowboy
Guest
Hey Aussie, what will be the excuse tonight from Ricky Boy, the refs, the field, injuries, ah cant wait for his excuses but i will say one thing, his boys put in for him, ha ha
Kingcowboy
Guest
Hey Aussie, what will be the excuse tonight from Ricky Boy, the refs, the field, injuries, ah cant wait for his excuses but i will say one thing, his boys put in for him, ha ha
Passionate_Aussie
Roar Rookie
I hope the Cowboys absolutely give it to the Ricky's Raiders tonight! They're my team of the round.
Passionate_Aussie
Roar Rookie
That they do Jamesb.
Passionate_Aussie
Roar Rookie
If the Broncos win the Premiership then there is something wrong with how the football gods operate.
Passionate_Aussie
Roar Rookie
How does your rating system work SW?
Passionate_Aussie
Roar Rookie
Vidot did most of the work to score that try. His pass was too far back and Vidot couldn't run into it to score. Hunt wasn't that great.
Kingcowboy
Guest
The Donkeys played well last night but they are taking on a truly great opponent in the cowboys next week. I think we will easily dispose of the Raiders tonight and then light up the Donkeys next weekend. Based on last years game I can see the Cows having around 20% of the crowd next Friday night. Suggested bet next week, withdrawal what you can from your bank accounts and empty the wallet and put it all on the cows. Can't wait.
jamesb
Guest
Both teams have a long long long way to go. But hey, it's round 1!
Will
Guest
As a Bronco fan I know the following - Ben Hunt is not a first grade player, Hoffman can't pass and Thaiday can't tackle anywhere other then below the knees as the third man.. but it could be worse, I could be a Bulldog fan this morning.