South Sydney’s dream of back-to-back NRL premierships is in major doubt with skipper Greg Inglis suffering a knee injury in on Friday night’s 32-18 loss to Canterbury.
The Rabbitohs’ star fell awkwardly in a tackle late in the second half and, while initially trying to play on, he was eventually substituted after Bulldogs back-rower Shaun Lane sealed the win in the 68th minute.
The victory only lifts the Bulldogs into seventh spot, but the convincing nature of the win in the grand final rematch brings them back into premiership reckoning.
Led by unlikely hero Damien Cook, the visitors stunned the defending premiers and the 26,503-strong ANZ Stadium crowd with a 22-0 first-half shutout.
The back-up rake scored the opening try and acrobatically set up another on the stroke of halftime when he flung his body over the deadball line to flick back a ball for Sam Perrett.
Aside from a brief 10-minute period just after the break that yielded one try, the Rabbitohs’ pack was overpowered by their opposition and looked rudderless without suspended hooker Issac Luke.
A comeback loomed when Bryson Goodwin leaped for John Sutton’s kick in the 50th minute, however Canterbury’s Curtis Rona regained the momentum for his team with another signature touchdown eight minutes later.
It was the leading tryscorer’s 20th of the season.
Departing second-rower Frank Pritchard set up first points for the match with a stellar 10th-minute offload for Cook, before Trent Hodkinson’s looping long ball found Perrett in the 17th.
The visitors had the home side’s measure in attack and defence, as evidenced by Brett Morris’ trysaving tackle on Dylan Walker in the 27th minute, before latching onto another Pritchard offload a minute later.
Cook completed a flawless first half by reacting first to a Hodkinson field-goal attempt, charged down by the Rabbitohs, saving a ball well over the dead ball line for Perrett.
Alex Johnston and Jason Clark both nabbed consolation tries late in the game.
Bulldogs captain James Graham was severely concussed in the opening minute of the second half but questionably returned to the match.
Rabbitohs coach Michael Maguire said his side simply failed to mentally engage at the start of the match and were consequently blown off the park early.
“At the end of the day, it comes down to how you turn up,” he said.
“Preparations are right, but they built a bit of pressure at the start, scored a couple of tries early, and then we had to work our way back into it”.
Bulldogs coach Des Hasler said it was an important win given their finals predicament and the form of their opponents.
“It was one that we needed given the complexity of the eight at the moment,” he said.
“Obviously they were a bit understrength, but we knew we had to turn up and be pretty determined because they’re in pretty good form, Souths.”
steveng
Roar Rookie
It doesn't matter if the big fella is in or out, Souths have no chance of going back to back. Their inconsistent season is just getting worst and Luke or Keary being out does not make any difference. Souths just haven't improved well enough or have the players that can engineer moves or be innovative enough to beat the top teams in the completion. Their pattern of play is always the same and very predictable, if their forwards are contained then they have no weapons to beat any teams. The first half of Friday nights game was the worst I've ever seen from a 4th placed side in the completion, yes they did get allot of refereeing decisions against them (which is usual and determines most of the games in the completion) but as soon as the Bulldogs were in their 20m the Bulldogs scored and when Souths were in the Bulldogs 20m they didn't look like scoring. Souths will have to recruit allot of players and change the way that they play because if they don't they will end up at the bottom of the completion in years to come. This year I'm sorry to say they have no chance of going back to back and next year it will get even worst without Luke and if they continue to play like Mage is making them play.
The Barry
Roar Guru
I recall it was a mutual decision allowing Peitchard to take up a lucrative deal. The fact it's his last season may be behind his firm surge. Agree about Williams - although I often think he is better than he gets wraps for - he certainly doesn't perform at the level a 600k player should. It's difficult to criticise Des but I think he's pulled the wrong rein trying to make T-Rex an 80 min player.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Just went and read the same article, it's a shame T-Rex is chewing up 600k or something similarly ridiculous and he's staying while Pritchard goes to England -- Williams was mediocre much of last year, injured this year, and no doubt poor again next year.. what a waste.
mark howard
Guest
Maguire should have had their biggest forwards on the field for the first 20 mins at least : Both burgess boys , Grant Tyrell Sutton to counter dogs huge pack Can't believe he overlooks this
Wolly
Roar Guru
I'm pretty sure I saw an article about Pritchard asking for the release as the Bulldogs have some promising youngsters coming through and he doesn't want them to leave due to salary cap pressure.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
The Dogs were fantastic, never allowed the Bunnies into the game. Madge tearing strips off them after the game, the inconsistency must be driving him crazy. The Rabbits forwards just aren't getting it done regularly enough. They've been dominated plenty of times this year. They're a different team when Luke plays, let's hope GI injury isn't serious. Come on Bunnies !
Bob
Guest
Souths did not get all the 50/50 calls but dogs were clearly the better team. If the Dogs play that expansive passing and running game they will be lifting the trophy in the first week of October
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Can you believe the Bulldogs release Pritchard for next year? I can only assume it's due to concerns over his ability to play 80 next year, but that seems insane to me.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Frank Pritchard is on fire at the moment. Career best form. Kasiano career best form. Eastwood career best form. Morris, Morris, Rona, Perrett and Lafai are getting their sets off to a great start and then the big units keep rolling through the middle before going wide.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Watching a replay. Souths really did get a lot of calls go their way in the first half. Every dropped ball was deemed a strip. Their first try was directly off the back of the touch judge somehow saying that Brett Morris put his foot on the dead ball line. Terrible call. I hope Tim Gore was watching - that's how good teams play when they have bad decisions go against them.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Souths had every 50/50 call go their way in the first half. Here comes September...here come the doggies.
Jimmmy
Guest
Young Lane is very promising. The Dogs keep coming up with good young forwards.
Squidward
Roar Rookie
Yeah I'm ok if Graham passed the skat test he was only dazed for a split second
langerthebronco
Guest
Any sign of 3HATS??
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Eastwood wasn't KO'd, in the position he was in he had to stay down to avoid the dummy half passing into him and drawing a penalty. Arguments could be made about Graham, but he was trying to get up and back into the line quickly so his minor stumble could be explained pretty easily, he seemed stable afterwards. Shades of grey I guess.
Steve
Guest
Goes to show how important Luke is to the Bunnies. Their attack looked slow and clunky without his darts from dummy half followed by a quick play the ball. Will be interesting to see how they go next year without him.......he'll be a huge loss.
Mike from Tari
Guest
Souths had no fluidity in attack, everything they tried on the Doggies line was so slow while the Dogs were smooth all over the park. I'm wondering how Graham got back on the park as the rule is if you stagger around you don't come back on & Eastwood who was also Ko'd never even went off for a concussion test, anyway the Dogs were just too good.
Squidward
Roar Rookie
Souths were one week wonders. I really thought they'd turned it around v cows