St George have missed the top eight after being upset 26-20 by a spirited Bulldogs team in a see-sawing match at ANZ Stadium.
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Final score
St George Illawarra Dragons 20
Canterbury Bulldogs 26
It’s a simple scenario for the St George Illawarra Dragons if they want to make finals – beat the Canterbury Bulldogs and they’re in. Join The Roar for live score updates from the match and a live blog of the game at ANZ Stadium on Sunday afternoon, starting from 4pm AEST.
The fate of both the Dragons and the North Queensland Cowboys’ respective seasons hinge upon the outcome of this one.
At current, the Dragons sit ninth on the table, just one win behind the Cowboys in eighth and the Penrith Panthers in seventh.
They have a better points differential than both, so if they can win this one today then they will leapfrog both and finish seventh.
That would push the Cowboys out of finals and the Panthers into eighth.
Lose, and the Dragons’ season is over, just like that – it’s effectively an elimination final, come a week early.
If they make it through then they look set for a first-week finals matchup with the Manly Sea Eagles, though it could be the Cronulla Sharks if they somehow slip up by 22 points against the Newcastle Knights.
The top four, however, is already set heading into this one – the Storm will host the Eels, the Roosters will host the Broncos.
Josh Dugan will be the player to watch in this match after he was dumped for missing the team bus last week, but recalled for this vital match.
Having already signed with the Cronulla Sharks for 2018 and beyond, he might be playing his last game ever for the Dragons today if they don’t get over the line.
Join The Roar for live score updates from the match and a live blog of the game between the St George Illawarra Dragons and the Canterbury Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium on Sunday afternoon, starting from 4pm AEST.
R N
Roar Rookie
That may have been the first time in my life that I have cheered for the Dogs! Well done... now I can cheer for the cows for at least one more week!
Wild Eagle
Guest
Wonderful use of hindsight. It is entirely logical to take the two and go a converted try in front. A last minute converted try and they draw level and would be favorites to win with a Widdup field goal. To say that a six point lead achieved nothing can only be said after the game, they don't have that luxury during the game
Scott Pryde
Expert
Yeah mate, I was among those tipping us for the bottom so I have to take the disappointment with a pinch of salt in that way. Moving on from tonight though, yeah can't wait to be in the chair for the big ones! A cracking month of footy ahead.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Ya killin' me TB!
Renegade
Roar Guru
Commiserations mate, it was still a successful year considering where the majority had tipped the dragons to finish.... cheers and looking forward to your calls of the big games Scott!
The Barry
Roar Guru
Ribs were sensational! Happy Father's Day. Made the sweeter by getting the $3.45 on offer just prior to kick-off
waddy
Guest
To add the whole season had a pattern like this, dragons got in front on the table, (security) then fell away, would get in front on the scoreboard in games (security)and then fade away. (although winning some they still faded) another comment here suggest the coach being re-signed as well (security), then faded away afterwards? Who in the team influences this the most? coach? players? captains? human nature? (not the band)
waddy
Guest
The decision to go for goal to go 6 in front - wrong strategically achieved nothing and changed the momentum. Dragons had them on the ropes and may have closed the game out with a try there and then as they had dogs on the rack with a full set of six and dangerous players like Dugan beginning to engage. If no try is scored, dogs would still have been pinned down in their end of the field with a four point lead. Instead it was a six point lead at the wrong end of the field. The decision for the two seemed easier, safer and more secure (ray warrens commentary "surely they will take the two") The thinking that a lead of six is better than 4 really achieved nothing. The dragons still would have had to score again to close it out in any case, so why not do it straight away. In fact the 6 point lead invited a false sense of security ie. if dogs score we still can win in golden point. Dragons relaxed, momentum swung, dogs scored, game over. dragons have done that all season when secure in their leads. let teams back in. surprised it hadn't been identified and resurrected earlier in the season. May seem easy in the benefit of hindsight but i did think this at the time.
John Coomer
Roar Guru
He didn't play today.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
If Des was marked 'to be sacked' at some stage, I don't think the last three games of the season (two of which were of very low quality) should be the difference.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Ah sensational.
Emcie
Roar Guru
Thanks for the call John
kingcowboy
Guest
Agree 100%. He just made himself a lot of cash with those couple of performances. Onto next week now. We are coming to get you sharks.
John Coomer
Roar Guru
Thanks for joining me on the coverage, hope you enjoyed it. Thanks also to everyone who chimed in with comments, it was an emotional ride from some of you I know.
Emcie
Roar Guru
I can meet you at the Gold Coast if its easier
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Really confused by McGregor's use of the bench; really seemed like the only bench player he actually wanted to put on was Ah Mau and the others were just there to give someone a rest rather than to actually add something in their own right.
kingcowboy
Guest
Thank u Dogs!!!
John Coomer
Roar Guru
Match report Canterbury 26 St George 20 St George have missed the top 8 after being upset 26-20 by a spirited Bulldogs team in a see-sawing match at ANZ Stadium. Canterbury’s win ends St George’s season and allows the Cowboys to hang onto 8th spot. The Bulldogs were able to send fan favourites James Graham and Josh Reynolds out as winners. They opened the scoring with a try to departing five-eighth Josh Reynolds in the fifth minute. He chased a Brenko Lee grubber to score but reinjured his calf and went off not long after. The Dragons hit back in the 13th minute when Widdop knocked back a last tackle bomb. Tariq Sims picked up the crumbs and offloaded to backrower Joel Thompson who scored under the posts to level the scores. Fullback Will Hopoate then laid on two tries for the Bulldogs in quick succession. For the first, he put winger Chase Stanley away down the sideline before backing up inside to score himself. Just three minutes later, he threw a great cut-out ball to put Marcelo Montoya over in the other corner. Penalties were 7-1 in St George’s favour in the first half but their attack was stilted. They looked like they were playing under pressure and didn’t come close to scoring again until the 38th minute when they spun the ball wide and Jason Nightingale used his finishing skills to score in the corner. Gareth Widdop converted to make the half-time score 14-12. It was a crucial try to give the Dragons some sort of confidence heading into the second half. The Dragons gave their fans hope when they started the second half better in attack. In the 53rd minute, they threw the ball wide before Tim Lafai made a break and turned the ball inside for fullback Matt Dufty to score. St George were back in front and temporarily in the top 8. Widdop’s conversion made it 18-14. They were nearly in again in the 60th minute but incredible defence by Will Hopoate saw Josh Dugan held up under the posts. St George continued to attack and the Dogs looked out on their feet when the referee below a penalty to the Dragons 10 metres out. They elected to take the two points to stretch their lead to 20-14, rather than go for the try. Three minutes later, man-of-the match Will Hopoate made another break for the Bulldogs before turning the ball back inside for prop Aiden Tolman to score. MBye’s conversion locked up the scores at 20-all. Seven minutes from full-time, resurgent hooker Michael Lichaa burrowed his way over from dummy half to score under the posts and the Dogs were in front 26-20. The Dragons threw everything at Canterbury for the last few minutes to try and send the game into golden point, but it wasn’t to be. After surprisingly being in the top 4 mid-season, the Dragons have finished one win away from finals football.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Yeah no worries. Guess I'll drive the 12 hours to Brissy, then turn around, drive back and we will be in time for dinner tomorrow?
Scott Pryde
Expert
Especially with everything to play for Ben.