The Canterbury Bulldogs have recorded a three-point win over the St George Illawarra Dragons at Homebush, but they will be less than impressed with what was an error-riddled performance that saw them only just scrape over the line.
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While credit should be given to the Dragons for showing up and playing a much better quality game than what they have produced recently, the Bulldogs will be frustrated that they couldn’t capitalise on their opportunities as much as they should have.
St George Illawarra actually started the game very strongly, but just couldn’t find a way to cross the try line. Despite that, Gareth Widdop and Benji Marshall looked to have a new sense of urgency, trying to get things done with Adam Quinlan popping up well.
Euan Aitken and Taane Milne did plenty in the centres, while their forwards dominated early on the back of some strong performances from Russell Packer, Mike Cooper and Tyson Frizell to hand them plenty of possession.
Despite a mountain of repeat sets though, the Bulldogs, led by James Graham, Greg Eastwood and a firing David Klemmer and a composed effort from Will Hopoate would fight their way back into the game, allowing them to go against the run of play and take a lead.
Josh Reynolds would score the first try of the game in the 24th minute with Aiden Tolman setting things up from inside their own half. He linked with Moses Mbye, who has been fantastic before going to Josh Morris in space and an offload for Greg Eastwood, which found Reynolds to score under the sticks.
Sam Kasiano then came up with a barge over try under the posts off a wonderful short ball just a couple of metres out.
The Dragons continued to go close with nothing to show for it, before Josh Reynolds slotted a field goal as the halftime siren went off.
The second half kicked off in a much more positive way for the Dragons, as they attacked with much more fluency and again has the Bulldogs on the back foot.
Kurt Mann would cross for their first points of the match in the 46th minute off a perfectly executed Gareth Widdop kick that sat up in the in goal and allowed him to score.
Canterbury muscled their way back into the match as a contest, but weren’t looking like scoring any points. Their defence looked strong, but attack was another issue.
Brett Morris, as he was during the first half, seemed to be a shining light for the Bulldogs. He ran the ball expertly, constantly created opportunities from long range and was excellent in defence, putting plenty of pressure on the Dragons outside backs.
St George Illawarra continued to ask questions, with Marshall and Widdop continuing to look good, while Tariq Sims had a monster impact off the bench.
Canterbury had a very sloppy couple of minutes leading up to the Dragons second try in the 60th to Euan Aitken, this time off a Benji Marshall grubber.
Both Josh Reynolds and Joel Thompson could be in trouble with the judiciary as well, for a trip and high tackle respectively.
The Dragons interchange strategy continued to baffle in the final 10 minutes, as Jacob Host sat on the bench, not used for the entire game when a fresh forward could have made all the difference.
They looked dangerous at times in that final period of the game, but in the end, simply couldn’t crack the Bulldogs line with a few early kicks not quite working out.
A win is a win as far as Canterbury are concerned, but they need massive improvement if they are going to be a contender come September. As for the Dragons, it’s time to start planning mad Monday. With a tough run ahead, winning five of their final six games looks near impossible.
The Bulldogs then, with a three-point win at Homebush.
Final Score
Canterbury Bulldogs 13
St George Illawarra Dragons 10
Statistics
Tries: Bulldogs (2), Dragons (2)
Conversions: Bulldogs (2/2), Dragons (1/2)
Field Goals: Bulldogs (1/1), Dragons (nil)
Possession: Bulldogs (47%), Dragons (53%)
Completions: Bulldogs (25/35), Dragons (29/41)
All runs: Bulldogs (188), Dragons (186)
All run metres: Bulldogs (1629), Dragons (1658)
Line breaks: Bulldogs (2), Dragons (2)
Offloads: Bulldogs (10), Dragons (16)
Tackles: Bulldogs (361), Dragons (346)
Missed tackles: Bulldogs (28), Dragons (32)
Penalties: Bulldogs (2), Dragons (5)
Errors: Bulldogs (13), Dragons (10)
The Roar’s NRL MVP
3 – Brett Morris
2 – Tariq Sims
1 – David Klemmer
Oingo Boingo
Guest
Best era in rugby league by a long shot Baz , they had it on a string before the super league shamosil , and I personally don't think the game has ever quite recovered .
Alex L
Roar Rookie
The slightly comical thing (though probably not to Josh Jackson) with the Thompson/Jackson shot is that not only was it reportable, Thompson is facing a couple of weeks off due to his priors.
catcat
Guest
Average game for dogs - I was expecting them to score big after last weeks flogging. Got knights next week- maybe it will happen then. On another note - while watching the cows play last night I felt like I was watching the dogs - big forwards and poor 5th tackle options. Of course the cows were missing their regular halfback - highlighting the issue the dogs have with an organising half for inside the 20m week and week out .....just an observation.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Casper - I agree with you in the 'old days' tripping was one of the worst offences. Something has changed though and for whatever reasons it doesn't attract as high a penalty. I've seen more trips in the last few years than the previous 30 and none have attracted much of a suspension.
Casper
Guest
Very mediocre game with the dogs always looking the winner, even when the dragons mounted their late challenge. Two key talking points for mine, not being a supporter of either side, how does Frizelle get a week for a 'nothing' touch on the ref while serial offender Reynolds can get off even with his tripping history's? In the old days when football was real, a trip was automatic send off and the perpetrator would expect a few weeks suspension- low form by Reynolds. As a bronco fan, the 'try' disallowed for a double movement now guarantees we have ruling by slow motion in place for every decision from here on, made no difference to the result but sets the bar impossibly high for the bunker. How will they rule if the tackler accidentally rolls an attacker over the try line, if his arm touches the ground, bad luck. You can bet it will come back to bite them and make the bunker look stupid again.
The Barry
Roar Guru
You make me feel old Scott. How good is it? I've been singing it for a couple of days...great promotion.
Scott Pryde
Expert
I wasn't alive in '89 but hahahaha this is gold.
Muzz
Guest
In the red corner. weighing 185 pounds, he hails from Kogarah NSW and was rated by many as the most passionate NSW Blues supporter of the last decade, with 12 wins and only 4 defeats, the former middleweight CHAMPION OF THE WORLD CHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARLES NSW
Dingo
Guest
Ken etc I'm talking about the refs (again) getting the trailing team back into the game - the point was St George errors were not adjudicated Yes the Bulldogs threw forward passes (incl for the try) which I acknowledged - read my post again. Reynolds was an obvious forward pass but again was not as forward as Warrior Johnsons last week to get the trailing Warriors back into the game- and I notice you didn't talk about the other poor ref decisions. Can you explain the obvious bad calls that the Barry mentioned. PS comedy show on Aussie TV is not awaiting you
Muzz
Guest
Round 4?
The Barry
Roar Guru
And I'm happy Charles...not the best performance but two points is two points
The Barry
Roar Guru
Charles can you name one area where the Dragons have improved?
Scott Pryde
Expert
No thanks Muzz, don't want either of them! Head office is a joke. Needs a thorough clean out Baz. It's just frustrating because as you rightly point out there is plenty of talent in the side, they just don't look like they are going anywhere or improving. Heck the last 3 weeks I don't even know if they were training it looked that bad
Scott Pryde
Expert
Charles, relax mate - i'm as one eyed as they come, and have had my fair share of arguments with Baz on here, but he is fine - I agree with him to an extent - McGregor is really starting to test my patience.
Charles NSW
Guest
You are sad, really sad Barry!
The Barry
Roar Guru
Scott - it's a real shame when this happens at your club. You're right the head office needs to get its act together. It's the only way. I feel for blokes like you and Ken.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Check this out guys. So good.. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=tXIzp0ok24I
Muzz
Guest
Scotty, Hastings is another drams queen who will not play 1st grade at the Roosters again or train with the big boys. I think he's heading back your way. Could you imagine both Farah and Hastings running the show?
The Barry
Roar Guru
The dogs worst performance of the season versus the dragons best and we still won you numpty...
The Barry
Roar Guru
What's your problem you big sook? I don't hate McGregor at all. I was a fan of his and thought he would be a good appointment. I thought he did well last year. But I'm more and more convinced he just can't coach. The evidence is there every week. Me hating him is a load of nonsense - my criticism of him is always objective and based on what I see on the field. I haven't made any personal remarks about him. In four months I'm yet to hear any credible comments from you about what McGregor is doing for the team. He's got a backline full of attacking talent and he can't get them to score except off kicks and even then usually rebounds. Give me one example of something McGregor has done to improve the team? Just one. If telling yourself that I must hate McGregor helps you keep your head in the sand then good luck to you, I'm happy to have helped.