The Canterbury Bulldogs finished the season in fifth after a sluggish 4-point win over the New Zealand Warriors.
>>MATCH REPORT: Sluggish Dogs secure fifth spot
Canterbury 26 def. New Zealand 22
The Bulldogs are safe in their position in the top eight and the Warriors are certain not to make it into the top eight.
They face off tonight in the final round of the season. Join The Roar from 6:30 AEST for live scores and match coverage.
The Warriors will look to bounce back from two horrid defeats, though against this Bulldogs side, a moral boosting win for the New Zealand outfit doesn’t look likely.
The Bulldogs can no longer make it into the top four, as the Storm won their game against the Roosters on Thursday, however they’ll stop want to push hard for that fifth position to make life during the finals that bit easier.
The Dogs are on a four match winning streak, having lost in Round 21 to the Roosters. Their nail-biting win against the lowly Knights last week consolidated their top eight position, and with the return of Prop Aiden Tolman, they are favourites tonight to get a result.
Youngster Sam Kasiano is back to the bench following an inconsistent season, though the young forward is one to watch for the future.
The Bulldogs will be without Trent Hodkinson for the remainder of the season, and the halfback has therefore played what will probably be his last game for Canterbury, with a move to Newcastle next year locked in.
The Warriors also have several players returning; both Chad Townsend and Ben Matulino coming in from injury and suspension.
The New Zealand side’s season has been poor, though they cannot get the wooden spoon, and they aren’t any chance of making the top eight so we might just see some decent footy from them tonight as the pressure eases and they play for dignity.
Prediction
Without Hodkinson, the Bulldogs attack may be lacking, though you can expect a big match from Damien Cook, Josh Reynolds and Moses Mbye in the middle. Bulldogs to win comfortably.
144
Roar Guru
Up the doggies!! great fight put up by the Warriors was actually very surprised by this result. Terrific display of character, they survived a late scare aswell.
Bronco Juggernaut
Guest
Broncos more of a chance than both of them teams
jamesb
Guest
First week: (1 v 4) First Qualifying Final- Roosters v Storm (2 v 3) Second Qualifying Final- Broncos v Cowboys (5 v 8) First Elimination Final- Bulldogs v Dragons (6 v 7) Second Elimination Final- Sharks v Rabbitohs Second week: First Semi Final: Loser of QF 1 v Winner of EF 1 Second Semi Final: Loser of QF 2 v Winner of EF 2 Third Week: First Preliminary Final: Winner of QF 1 v Winner of SF 2 Second Preliminary Final: Winner of QF 2 v Winner of SF 1 Fourth Week: Grand Final: Winner of PF 1 v Winner of PF 2
James Anderson
Roar Guru
Full Time- The Bulldogs survive a late scare, and force their way into 5th position with a try at the death to Graham. Warriors looked as though they'd steal that one form the Dogs, though the first mistake of the second half for the New Zealand side let the Bulldogs in on goal. Huge performance from Lolohea for Warriors, who was in every decisive play that the New Zealand side had to offer. Curtis Rona and Josh Reynolds both central in the Bulldogs win, with tries to Graham, Rona, Cook, Morris and Stanley. Bulldogs 26-22 Warriors
Alex L
Roar Rookie
You give the Broncos a chance but not the Sharks or Bulldogs? Not very good thinking there..
Bronco Juggernaut
Guest
You're right only the Roosters, Broncos, Cowboys and Storm are a chance this year. Dogs, Sharks, Dragons and Rabbitohs are just making up the numbers.
Blake Standfield
Roar Guru
The NRL is really scraping the bottom for finals teams this year.
James Anderson
Roar Guru
79' - The 5th play is a kick, which comes off the feet of Reynolds. Kata picks it up on the right with 20m between him and the try-line, but Josh Jackson makes a decisive tackle and takes Kata over the line. Bulldogs 26-22 Warriors
James Anderson
Roar Guru
79' - Warriors with the short kick and they get possession. A nervy ending for Bulldogs fans! Lolohea and Friend bring the ball up the park. Bulldogs 26-22 Warriors
James Anderson
Roar Guru
78' - It was the error at the other end of the pitch that set the try up. The Bulldogs started quickly, and made good ground. Tim Browne converts in front of the sticks. Bulldogs 26-22 Warriors
James Anderson
Roar Guru
78' - TRY GRAHAM!! Bulldogs are over!! Reynolds the mastermind who finds Graham in space. Bulldogs 24-22 Warriors
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
GRAHAM!
James Anderson
Roar Guru
77' - A mistake from the Warriors on the Bulldogs defensive 30 - first of the half claims the commentators. Impressive, but could it be costly. Bulldogs 20-22 Warriors
Dane
Guest
Why?
James Anderson
Roar Guru
76' - Bulldogs on the ball deep in their half now. Morris with a heavy tackle from a Warriors forward. The following play is better - Cook spreads it wide to Graham, and the ball is worked up the pitch. Kick is high, but Peyroux deals with it well. Bulldogs 20-22 Warriors
jamesb
Guest
These refs are a joke.
James Anderson
Roar Guru
75' - Warriors on the ball now. Friend to Mannering, who is tackled pas his defensive 40. The 4th tackle sees Thompson make his way inside the Bulldogs half. Bulldogs 20-22 Warriors
James Anderson
Roar Guru
74' - Warriors have picked up their game immensely in this second half. Perrett dances across the Warriors defence, and plays in Eastwood, who loses the ball in a solid tackle from Matulino. Bulldogs 20-22 Warriors
James Anderson
Roar Guru
7'2' - Reynolds with some sloppy defence, though there were several others that you could point the finger at. It's been a poor performance overall from the Dogs tonight. Bulldogs 20-22 Warriors
James Anderson
Roar Guru
71' - WARRIORS LEAD BULLDOGS BY 2 Bulldogs 20-22 Warriors