Craig Cauchi reviews the Canterbury Bulldogs first win of the season against the winless St George Illawarra Dragons. Here’s how the game went.
MATCH TIMELINE
| Minute | Scoring Play | Score |
| 4th | Goal Zac Lomax (Dragons) | Dragons 2-0 |
| 19th | Try Adam Elliot (Bulldogs) | Bulldogs 4-2 |
| 20th | Goal Nick Meaney (Bulldogs) | Bulldogs 6-2 |
| 26th | Goal Nick Meaney (Bulldogs) | Bulldogs 8-2 |
| 32nd | Goal Nick Meaney (Bulldogs) | Bulldogs 10-2 |
| 40th | HALF-TIME | Bulldogs 10-2 |
| 50th | Try Nick Meaney (Bulldogs) | Bulldogs 14-2 |
| 51st | Goal Nick Meaney (Bulldogs) | Bulldogs 16-2 |
| 70th | Try Reimis Smith (Bulldogs) | Bulldogs 20-2 |
| 71st | Goal Nick Meaney (Bulldogs) | Bulldogs 22-2 |
| 80th | FULLTIME | Bulldogs 22-2 |
MATCH SUMMARY
1st Half
The Dragons started the game off with a penalty goal from Zac Lomax. After the early exchanges the Bulldogs found themselves on top with plenty of good territory but their ball handling and execution let them down. It took until the 19th minute for the Bulldogs to cross the line through Adam Elliot, throwing a dummy before carrying defenders over the line. The Bulldogs extended their lead through a penalty goal. The Dragons conceded an offside penalty at the drop out and the Bulldogs accepted the gift two points.
2nd Half
Nick Meaney crossed out wide after a simple backline movement had the Dragons defensive line running confused. The Bulldogs continued to control the game while the Dragons struggled to find any kind of cohesion in their attack. The Dragons came inches from scoring and giving themselves a remote chance of victory but a cover tackle from Dallin Watene-Zelezniak meant Jordan Pereira’s put down landed on the corner post. The Bulldogs marched down field from the next set and Reimis Smith caught a cross field bomb from Lachlan Lewis to score a try that finally put the match the bed. The Bulldogs kept their line intact to win their first match for the season.
GAME HIGHLIGHT
Adam Elliot’s try was a sign of the Bulldogs intent. The Bulldogs gained the ascendency through the middle but struggled to execute their plays. Adam Elliot’s try was one of strength and determination as he carried three defenders over the try line. His straight play provided the blue print for the Bulldogs, who continued to march through the middle and finish the game making minimal mistakes.
SQUADS
CANTERBURY BULLDOGS: 1. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 2. Nick Meaney, 3. Reimis Smith, 4. Will Hopoate, 14. Jake Averillo, 6. Kieran Foran, 7. Lachlan Lewis, 8. Aiden Tolman, 9. Jeremy Marshall-King, 10. Dylan Napa, 11. Josh Jackson, , 13. Adam Elliott, 16. Raymond Faitala-Mariner INTERCHANGE: 12. Dean Britt 15. Renouf To’omaga, , 17. Sauaso Sue, 20. Kerrod Holland
ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS: 1. Corey Norman, 2. Jordan Pereira, 3. Brayden Williame, 4. Zac Lomax, 5. Mikaele Ravalawa, 6. Ben Hunt, 7. Adam Clune 8. Josh Kerr, 9. Cameron McInnes, 10. Paul Vaughan, 11. Tyson Frizell, 12. Tariq Sims, 13. James Graham, 14. Trent Merrin, 15. Blake Lawrie, 16. Issac Luke, 17. Euan Aitken
