Canterbury thwarted a remarkable Sydney Roosters comeback to secure a 30-26 victory at Accor Stadium. Amidst a night filled with drama, the Bulldogs delivered their strongest performance in eight years, leading 26-0 before withstanding the Roosters’ charge.
Despite being reduced to 11 men on the field, the Roosters closed the gap to just four points, yet the Bulldogs managed to hold on for the win. The Roosters were on the brink of achieving an NRL record for the largest comeback.
In a game where several stars were impacted, including James Tedesco and Sam Walker suffering concussions, and Dom Young being sent off for a high shot, Canterbury emerged triumphant. Matt Burton’s hat-trick, witnessed by 7169 dedicated fans amidst Sydney’s relentless rain, added to the spectacle.
The return of players like Michael Jennings and Bronson Xerri, both returning from bans, added another layer of intrigue to the match. The Bulldogs dominated the first half, with key performances from players like Reed Mahoney and Viliame Kikau.
Despite the Roosters mounting a spirited comeback in the second half, the Bulldogs managed to hold their ground, clinching the victory. Both teams will need to regroup after a physically and emotionally draining encounter, with injuries adding to the challenges faced by both sides.