Canterbury young gun Lachlan Lewis has slotted a clutch field goal to jag a 27-26 NRL win over New Zealand and throw a speed bump in front of the Warriors’ NRL finals ambitions.
The Bulldogs upset the Warriors after their five-eighth booted a 30m one-pointer in the 79th minute to quell a Warriors fightback.
The visitors rallied from 20-12 down at halftime to lock up the scores with three minutes remaining.
However Lewis – who turned 22 on Sunday – showed nerves of steel to slot the the winner for his side’s seventh victory of the year.
The result leaves the Warriors two wins ahead of the ninth-placed Wests Tigers with two games remaining.
The Warriors must win either of their contests against Penrith and Canberra to assure their first finals berth since 2011.
They also blew a chance to move into a share of fourth with St George Illawarra, Penrith and Cronulla on 30 points.
After the Warriors trailed 20-12 at the break, David Fusitu’a dotted down to reduce the margin to four after Will Hopoate turned the ball over on his own try-line.
The Dogs swiftly replied when Brett Morris leapt over Fusitua’a to bat the ball back for twin Josh to make it 26-16 after 53 minutes.
Fusitu’a moved to second on the NRL’s try-scorers list for the season when Shaun Johnson fired a cut-out pass to make room for him on the outside to set up a grandstand finish.
And when Adam Blair took the ball to the line and popped a late offload in traffic to Peta Hiku, the scores were locked up 26-26 with three-and-a-half minutes remaining.
But just when the Warriors looked like they were on the march, Lewis slotted the winner for one of the Dogs’ best wins of the season.
The Bulldogs led 20-12 at halftime after Lewis scored on the back of a Kerrod Holland break.
catcat
Roar Rookie
Lewis, Martin, Holland and Smith all playing well this season. My concern is who will replace the Morris twins...John Olive and Montoya? Hoppa has been great at fulback. Overall happy with Dean Pay - what a year though, moves Mbye to fullback and he gets bought by another club. Loses a forward Woods..but he has got these young ones in and they are playing well, and will get better with each game. I wouldn't bother bringing Foran back...he'll play 5 games and be injured for the rest and its too disruptive to the team to have a half out for long periods.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Agreed Danno. I think we’re still a bottom half of the comp side next year but at least we have a foundation to build on. The style of play is so much better than it was last year or in the first 10 or so rounds this year. We’ve had a pretty tough draw and had eight losses by six points or less including a couple of last five minute collapses against Souths and the Raiders. We’ve also saved some of our worst performances for teams around us on the ladder. I’m not sure who will be replacing the Morris brothers but they won’t be as good. They’re still consummate professionals and have a lot to offer. Josh has been a club legend.
Danno1
Guest
What a result!! Starting to feel a bit happier about this year, looks like we've developed, whereas last year we were just spinning our wheels. Excited that we have some young talent coming through, but some big holes to fill at centre and wing. Sad to see the Morris boys head off, they've been champions especially Josh, I hope he can jag a premiership before he retires. What a round of footy, all the contenders looked like pretenders, except the Storm
JOHNY BULLDOG
Roar Rookie
Up the mighty Doggies ? How good is young Lewis?