Josh Mercer reviews the match between the Sydney Roosters and the Canterbury Bulldogs. Here’s how the game went.
MATCH TIMELINE
| Minute | Scoring Play | Score |
| 1st | Try Angus Crichton (Roosters) | Roosters 4-0 |
| 3rd | Goal Kyle Flanagan (Roosters) | Roosters 6-0 |
| 6th | Try Kyle Flanagan (Roosters) | Roosters 10-0 |
| 7th | Goal Kyle Flanagan (Roosters) | Roosters 12-0 |
| 13th | Try Angus Crichton (Roosters) | Roosters 16-0 |
| 14th | Goal Kyle Flanagan (Roosters) | Roosters 18-0 |
| 25th | Try James Tedesco (Roosters) | Roosters 22-0 |
| 27th | Goal Kyle Flanagan (Roosters) | Roosters 24-0 |
| 60th | Try James Tedesco (Roosters) | Roosters 28-0 |
| 61st | Goal Kyle Flanagan (Roosters) | Roosters 30-0 |
| 65th | Try Kieran Foran (Bulldogs) | Roosters 30-4 |
| 66th | Goal Nick Meany (Bulldogs) | Roosters 30-6 |
| 70th | Try James Tedesco (Roosters) | Roosters 34-6 |
| 71st | Goal Kyle Flanagan (Roosters) | Roosters 36-6 |
| 77th | Try Brett Morris (Roosters) | Roosters 40-6 |
| 78th | Goal Kyle Flanagan (Roosters) | Roosters 42-6 |
MATCH SUMMARY
1st Half
The Roosters were able to get off to a good start, with James Tedesco putting Angus Crichton through a gap for a try in the first minute. The Roosters’ second try came after Bulldogs winger Nick Meany’s attempted intercept was gathered up by Kyle Flanagan, who got the ball on to Joey Manu; Manu drew in two defenders and was able to get a flick pass to Brett Morris. Getting stopped before the try line, Morris got an off load for Flanagan to score and give the Roosters a 12-0 lead. The Roosters enjoyed the majority of possession and were soon over for their third try of the match when Crichton scored his second of the night, again off a Tedesco pass.
Things seemed to be going the Roosters’ way, with their defence holding strong; their only major mistake in the first half was a kick out on the full by Luke Keary. Sitili Tupouniua made an impact with his first touch of the ball, making a break through the middle of the Bulldogs’ defence before passing for Tedesco to score: pushing the lead out to 24-0. The Bulldogs started to find their groove and looked like they had scored just before half time when a short-side play saw winger Christian Crichton put the ball down in the corner after a cut out ball from Kieran Foran. Unfortunately upon review, Crichton’s foot touched the touch line, denying him a try just before half time and leaving the score 24-0.
2nd Half
The Roosters started off the second half sloppily, giving away penalties and making some easy mistakes. The Bulldogs started to find some room on the Roosters’ right side, with Will Hopoate and Jake Averillo giving the defence some problems. Even though they were given a fright by the Bulldogs, the Roosters got the first points of the second half when Tedesco scored after they caught the Bulldogs short on the right side of a scrum. Hopoate – who had looked dangerous in attack all night – helped the Bulldogs get their first try when he caught a nice inside ball from second rower Josh Jackson, drew Tedesco, and got the ball on to Foran for the four pointer.
Though they had leaked one try, the Roosters were able hit back when Tedesco brought up his hat-trick with a run from first receiver that caught Raymond Faitala-Mariner flat-footed on the try line. Flanagan finished off a measured performance with a grubber kick, finding Brett Morris for the final try of the game and giving the Roosters a 42-6 victory.
GAME HIGHLIGHT
The highlight of the match was the Roosters’ first try of the evening, which set the tone for the game. After noticing the Bulldogs were short on the right hand side when Lachlan Lewis had been caught at marker, Keary stayed on the right side, giving them the overlap for Tedesco to get the ball on to Crichton for the first of his two tries.
SQUADS
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs: 1.Will Hopoate 2. Mick Meany 5. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 4. Jake Averillo 14. Christiaan Crichton 6. Kieran Foran 7. Lachlan Lewis 17. Sauaso Sue 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Dylan Napa 11. Josh Jackson 12. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 13. Adam Elliott. Interchange: 15. Renouf To’omaga 16. Dean Britt 19. Ofahiki Ogden 21. Morgan Harper.
Sydney Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Josh Morris 4. Joey Manu 5. Brett Morris 6. Luke Keary 7. Kyle Flanagan 17. Lindsey Collins 9. Jake Friend 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Boyd Cordner 12. Angus Crichton 13. Victor Radley. Interchange: 15. Isaac Liu 16. Nat Butcher 18. Sitili Tupouniua 19. Mitch Aubusson.
