​Kenny-Dowall scores three as controversy mars Roosters win

A dominant second half from the Sydney Roosters has seen them run out 38-12 winners over the Bulldogs in front of 35,711 fans at Allianz Stadium.

While the Roosters finished deserved winners, a decision to award Kane Evans a try just after halftime will be the major talking point in the days following tonight's match.

Appearing to be held up and grounding the ball short of the line, video referee Bernard Sutton was unable to find sufficient evidence to overturn Matt Cecchin's on-field decision of try.

Only moments later, an offload from Evans put Roosters fullback Roger Tuivasa-Scheck over to blow the score out to 20-4, effectively killing off the Bulldogs season.

The final score may have indicated the match was a one-way affair, but the first half was a tightly fought contest with both sides going blow-for-blow.

After weathering an early Bulldogs onslaught, the Roosters opened the scoring courtesy of a James Maloney penalty after eight minutes.

Shortly afterwards, Jackson Hastings combined with Shaun Kenny-Dowall to put the Kiwi international over to extend the lead to 8-0.

The Bulldogs were able to open their account in the 26th minute after an offload from Sam Kasiano put the Blue and White's on the frontfoot. With Josh Reynolds capitalising on the retreating Roosters defence, the Canterbury playmaker delivered a superb pass to put Tim Lafai over for his fifth try of 2015.

With the Roosters getting out to a big lead early in the second half, the Bulldogs threatened a comeback after departing forward Frank Pritchard set up Damien Cook in the 60th minute, narrowing the margin to two converted tries.

With fifteen minutes remaining, Shaun Kenny-Dowall sealed the match for the minor premiers, picking up a wayward pass to touch down in the corner.

Further tries to Cordner and Kenny-Dowall (his third) saw the scoreline blow out to 38-8, before a try to Curtis Rona saw the Bulldogs finish the season with a consolation four-pointer.

With Rona scoring on fulltime, the former Cowboy leveled the feats of Nigel Vagana and Ben Barba by scoring 23 tries in a season for the Bulldogs.

Adding to tonight's win, the Roosters will be buoyed by the return of Mitchell Pearce for next Friday's showdown with the Broncos in the hopes of securing a place in the 2015 NRL Grand Final.

Match Details

Sydney Roosters 38 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 12
Venue: Allianz Stadium
Crowd: 35711
Halftime Score: Sydney Roosters 8 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 4

SYDNEY ROOSTERS (38)
Tries: Shaun Kenny-Dowall (3), Kane Evans, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Boyd Cordner
Field Goals:
Conversions: James Maloney (6/6)
Penalty Goals: James Maloney (1/1)

CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS (12)
Tries: Timoteo Lafai, Damien Cook, Curtis Rona
Field Goals:
Conversions: Timoteo Lafai (0/1), Tim Browne (0/1), Moses Mbye (0/1)
Penalty Goals:

LeagueUnlimited.com Players of the Match:

3 points - Shaun Kenny-Dowall
2 points - Boyd Cordner
1 point - James Maloney

LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary

Welcome to League Unlimited's coverage of the first Semi Final between Sydney Roosters and Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs at Allianz Stadium.

With the winner to progress through to next week's Preliminary Final showdown with Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium, the stakes could not be higher.

As reported throughout the week, Roosters halfback Mitchell Pearce has failed to recover from his hamstring injury, meaning Jackson Hastings will partner James Maloney in the halves.

In a positional change, Mitchell Aubusson starts in place of the League Unlimited player to watch Sio Siua Taukeiaho. Former Raider Matt McIlwrick comes onto the bench for his first taste of finals football.

Having escaped suspension earlier this week, Frank Pritchard takes his place in an unchanged Bulldogs side.

The last time these sides clashed in finals football was the 2004 Grand Final, where the Bulldogs prevailed 16-13 in Brad Fittler's 336th and final first grade game.

Canterbury are led out by James Graham.

Jake Friend takes the Roosters onto Allianz Stadium.

Tim Lafai kicks off and the first Semi Final is underway.

Boyd Cordner met in a heavy tackle by Frank Pritchard.

1: Canterbury finish their first attacking set with a high ball that is collected by Daniel Tupou.

2: Canterbury are suffocating the Roosters early on; the Roosters managed just 7 metres in that set.

3: Mybe's pass goes behind Curtis Rona, allowing the Roosters to pack a scrum close to halfway.

5: Jake Friend gets a poor kick away just over the halfway line, the Bulldogs start a set 30 metres out from their own line.

6: James Graham gets a good kick away after Brett Morris finds some space just inside the Roosters half.

6: Hastings makes a good run close to the Bulldogs line.

7: Penalty to the Roosters. They opt to take the shot at goal to take first points.

7: The Bulldogs have been dominant early on, the Roosters will be buoyed by taking first points after weathering the early onslaught.

8: SUCCESSFUL PENALTY GOAL SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Penalty goal attempt by James Maloney successful.
The Roosters take first points through James Maloney.

10: Tuivasa-Scheck puts some nice footwork on, but is unable to break through the Bulldogs defence.

10: TRY SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Scored by Shaun Kenny-Dowall. Kick to come.
Great work by Blake Ferguson to bat the ball back for his winger to score.

11: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Conversion attempt by James Maloney successful.
From the sideline, Maloney nails the kick.

12: Tim Lafai finds touch from the kickoff. Bulldogs scrum.

13: Tim Lafai loses the ball early in the set for Canterbury.

14: Aidan Guerra makes a strong run near the halfway line.

14: Maloney almost goes all the way after finding some space inside the Bulldogs half.

15: Sam Perrett dives above the Roosters to come up with possession.

15: Dylan Napa and James Graham exchange words.

16: Roosters get a penalty just over halfway.

16: Dylan Napa is over; the referee is saying No Try, but we'll check to see whether he lost control trying to score.

17: No Try. The fiery red head loses the ball over the line - 20 metre re-start.

18: The Roosters make an error inside their own half. Big chance for the Bulldogs to open the account tonight.

19: Damien Cook dummies but can't get through the Roosters defence.

19: Curtis Rona is claiming a try, but the referee has ruled No Try. We'll check with the video for confirmation.

19: Ferguson has grounded the ball in-goal, the main factor to determine will be whether Rona got a touch to the ball before Ferguson.

19: No Try - 20 metre re-start. The referees rule that Rona knocked on in-goal.

19: David Klemmer prepares to come on for his first action of the night.

20: Sam Perrett knocks on trying to defuse a bomb. Big chance for the Roosters.

21: Tim Lafai was lucky to avoid being penalised after Daniel Tupou was blatantly obstructed in the lead up.

21: Daniel Tupou has been forced over the sideline, but we'll check with the video to see whether the big winger has gotten a remarkable try.

21: The colonel rules Tupou had a foot on the sideline, Bulldogs with a 10 metre scrum.

22: Reynolds punts the ball down into the Roosters half.

23: Sam Moa is off; Isaac Liu is on and with his first touch he makes an error.

24: Josh Morris makes an error giving possession right back to the Roosters.

25: Michael Jennings can't hold onto an over the head pass from Jake Friend.

25: Kasiano is on for the Blue and Whites.

26: TRY CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS
Scored by Timoteo Lafai. Kick to come.
Josh Reynolds puts his centre over for a four-pointer. Roosters 8-4. KTC.

28: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS
Conversion attempt by Timoteo Lafai unsuccessful.
It's a shank from Lafai. The Bulldogs will be looking for Tim Browne to take over the kicking duties when he comes on.

28: Sio Siua Taukeiaho is on for the Roosters.

29: Reynolds drills the ball straight to Daniel Tupou.

30: Kane Evans is on for the Roosters. Look for him to reacquaint himself with Sam Kasiano.

31: Taukeiaho gives away a penalty, Canterbury to start a set on halfway.

31: David Klemmer loses the ball.

32: The conditions are playing a factor tonight, both sides have come up with 6 errors each.

32: Ferguson has the ball knocked out of his hands. To make matters worse, the Bulldogs get a penalty.

33: Josh Morris makes a mistake and the Roosters are off the hook.

33: Taukeiaho draws a penalty after Damien Cook lashes out with the arm.

34: Curtis Rona defuses a Roosters raid and put the Bulldogs on the counter attack.

35: Sam Kasiano comes up with an abysmal play the ball, but the Bulldogs get a penalty.

36: Josh Reynolds collected in heavy contact by the Roosters forwards.

37: The Roosters come up with possession after the referees rule a knock on against the Bulldogs close to the tryline.

38: Maloney puts a high ball up for Tupou, but after some frantic play the Bulldogs manage to tackle Tuivasa-Scheck to force a changeover.

39: Reynolds finds touch, play will resume with a Roosters scrum.

40: Tupou makes a run downfield, he puts a kick in but the Bulldogs have the ball covered. Roosters lead 8-4 at the break.

40: Three players yet to see any action so far: Matt McIlwrick (Roosters), Shaun Lane and Tim Browne (Bulldogs).

40: Maloney kicks off and David Klemmer takes the first hit-up of the night.

41: Kasiano bumps off a few Roosters, but in trying to get a quick play the ball he has lost possession.

41: On the first tackle, Taukeiaho loses the ball. Terrible error from the Roosters powerhouse rookie early on.

43: Moses Mbye plays the ball the wrong way.

43: Mbye will join the long line of players to make that error including Martin Bella, Anthony Quinn and Jason Ryles to name a few.

44: Jake Friend does his best gridiron impression, but the pass hasn't been called up.

44: Rona comes up with possession on his own goal line.

45: Daniel Tupou is driven back towards his own goal line.

45: Maloney bombs, but Sam Perrett does superbly well to gather in the ball.

47: Tuivasa-Scheck dummies, but he can't get through.

48: UNFORCED ERROR CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS
Curtis Rona makes an unforced error.
After a bomb from Jackson Hastings, the Bulldogs winger loses the ball on his own line. Big chance for the Roosters to extend their lead.

49: Ferguson can't hold onto an Aubusson offload. Bulldogs get off the hook.

49: UNFORCED ERROR CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS
Curtis Rona makes an unforced error.
That's his second error in quick succession.

50: Tim Browne on for Canterbury.

50: Kane Evans is only a metre short of the tryline.

50: The referee is claiming Evans has scored! We'll check with KFC, but I can't believe Evans has scored.

50: Surely they won't award this.

50: TRY SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Scored by Kane Evans. Kick to come.
Kane Evans scores to the disgust of the Bulldogs supporters.

51: Evans appeared to be held up and ground the ball short of the line.

52: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Conversion attempt by James Maloney successful.
Maloney converts. That try may be very costly for the Bulldogs and Matt Cechin.

53: TRY SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Scored by Roger Tuivasa-Sheck. Kick to come.
Great work by the Roosters fullback to support Kane Evans.

55: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Conversion attempt by James Maloney successful.
It's a big task for the Bulldogs now. 20-4.

55: The Roosters are making big metres at the moment.

56: Reynolds hoists the ball into the air, but Tuivasa-Scheck has no problems defusing the situation.

57: Maloney spins and makes a big run for the Roosters.

57: Sam Perrett defuses a Jake Friend grubber.

58: The Bulldogs get a penalty and will start 30 metres out from their own line.

59: TRY CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS
Scored by Damien Cook. Kick to come.
Great work from Pritchard to bust the Roosters open; after Josh Morris was held up close to the line, Cook supports to touch down for his 4th try in 5 games.

61: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS
Conversion attempt by Tim Browne unsuccessful.
The interchange prop does his best Hazem El Masri impression, but pushes the kick left of the posts.

62: Reynolds kicks back in-field, but Tupou is on the spot to defuse the situation.

64: Hastings bombs, the ball bounces and after some wild passes Damien Cook knocks the ball dead with Blake Ferguson charging downfield.

64: Matt Cechin must have a third-party deal with KFC, because once again we're going to the video referee to determine whether Shaun Kenny-Dowall has scored a try that will likely wrap it up for the Roosters.

65: TRY SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Scored by Shaun Kenny-Dowall. Kick to come.
The Kiwi flyer scores and the Roosters look set to take on the Broncos next week.

66: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Conversion attempt by James Maloney successful.
From the sideline, Maloney converts and the Roosters will win.

67: The Bulldogs try a short kickoff, but the ball goes into touch. The Roosters will get possession and be in a position to kick a field goal at the end of the set.

68: Hastings kicks for the in-goal forcing Sam Perrett to take the ball dead. Line drop out.

70: Jake Friend is taken on the last tackle. The Bulldogs will have to score in this set if they want to keep this game alive.

70: Damien Cook looks for a 40/20, but RTS has the kick covered.

70: Aubusson makes a strong bust infield.

71: Maloney kicks for Aidan Guerra, but Brett Morris is able to knock the ball dead.

72: TRY SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Scored by Boyd Cordner. Kick to come.
Boyd Cordner wraps the game up, the Roosters are going to Brisbane!

72: Cordner makes a strong charge to split the Bulldogs right open.

73: It's a shame this match is going to be overshadowed by the controversial Kane Evans try, but the Roosters have been strong in this second half.

74: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Conversion attempt by James Maloney successful.
In his final game at Allianz Stadium, Maloney adds the extras.

74: For the second time tonight, the Bulldogs get a result off the kickoff.

75: Jennings swoops on a stray Bulldogs pass. The Rooster go back on the attack.

76: McIlwrick is on for his first game time of the night.

76: TRY SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Scored by Shaun Kenny-Dowall. Kick to come.
Put him down for Man of the Match. Shaun Kenny-Dowall flies above the Bulldogs to score his third.

77: Curtis Rona has had a fantastic season, but tonight is one he'd want to forget.

78: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Conversion attempt by James Maloney successful.
Maloney keeps his kicking record intact tonight.

78: The Bulldogs get a penalty, but unless the Bulldogs can score 31 points in 2 minutes it will be of little consequence.

79: Shaun Lane kicks for Sam Perrett, but the ball travels dead.

79: Maloney knocks on.

79: Curtis Rona has pounced on a Damien Cook cut-out pass.

79: TRY CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS
Scored by Curtis Rona. Kick to come.
With that try, Rona scores his 23rd of the season to sit alongside Ben Barba and Nigel Vagana as the leading try-scorers in a season for the Bulldogs.

80: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS
Conversion attempt by Moses Mbye unsuccessful.
The kick goes wide.

80: An emphatic result for the Roosters, but Matt Cechin's decision to award Kane Evans a try will be the major taking point out of tonight's game.