Roosters win classic game against Bulldogs

The Roosters have won a match the defined the rivalry round with a great comeback over the Canterbury Bulldogs 36-32 in front of a lively crowd of 19,129. The Bulldogs led 24-18 at halftime.

The Roosters opened the scoring in just the fourth minute with a perfect cross field kick saw Leilua score in front of Winitana.

It didn't take the Bulldogs long to strike back with a 95 metre set of six ending with Michael Ennis darting from dummy half to score.

The Roosters went back up by eight sic minutes later after a great break by Leilua put Minichello in to score.

Responding in kind became a theme, as only four minutes later a perfect Barba grubber kick saw Josh Morris claim a try.

Unsurprisingly the Roosters struck right back after a Conn offload eventually saw Pearce get into space to kick for Carney who scored.

After that the Bulldogs got a stranglehold on the game, scoring again through Michael Hodgson after a good run by Ennis - even though he'd thrown a forward pass earlier in the set that went uncalled.

After Goodwin missed an early conversion, the Bulldogs took the opportunity to level the scores at 18-all with a 36th minute penalty goal, before more good work from Ennis at dummy half saw Paea score just before half time.

The half ended with the Bulldogs enjoying 60% possession, most of which came in the last 15 minutes of the half.

Immediately after halftime the Roosters were called back for a pass that clearly hadn't gone forward, and the Bulldogs strolled over to increase their lead to 12 points.

Not long after that, the Roosters took the match by the scruff of the neck, totally dominating territory and possession.

It looked as though the Roosters had pulled the score back through Braith Anasta, only for it to be disallowed by the video referee in a decision that was flat out wrong.

The Bulldogs were able to get some field position, but wasted it by poor errors late in the tackle count.

The Roosters had another try correctly disallowed after Perrett was ruled to have knocked on, however they got the ball back through a knock on and eventually scored through Leilua.

Nate Myles then made an error coming out of his own end and another questionable call against the Roosters saw the Bulldogs kick a penalty goal to extend their lead to eight.

With nine minutes to go Todd Carney stepped through a tired Bulldogs defence to close the score to 32-30.

Only four minutes later the Roosters produced a fantastic last tackle option, going from sideline to sideline before finding space on the left for Mitchell Aubusson to score his second match-winning try in two weeks.

The Bulldogs got one more attacking opportunity but the Roosters were able to hold out.

While the story of the game probably will be the dreadful standard of refereeing that hurt the Roosters far more so than the Bulldogs, the Bulldogs defence must be credited with holding on so long before cracking in the second half.

Match Details
Sydney Roosters 36 defeated Canterbury Bulldogs 32
National Rugby League - NRL - Round 19 - Sunday July 18, 2010 3:00pm
Venue: Sydney Football Stadium
Referee: Gavin Badger and Tony De Las Heras
Video Referee: Sean Hampstead
Touch Judges: Henry Perenara and Russell Turner
Crowd: 19,129
Halftime: Sydney Roosters 18 Canterbury Bulldogs 24

Leagueunlimited.com players of the match:
3 Points - Braith Anasta
2 Points - Michael Ennis (1 Try)
1 Point - Todd Carney (2 Tries, 6 Conversions)

SYDNEY ROOSTERS (36)
Tries: Todd Carney (2), Anthony Minichiello, Mitchell Aubusson, Joseph Leilua (2)
Conversions: Todd Carney (6/6)

CANTERBURY BULLDOGS (32)
Tries: Luke Patten, Mickey Paea, Josh Morris, Michael Ennis, Michael Hodgson
Conversions: Bryson Goodwin (4/5)
Penalty Goals: Bryson Goodwin (2/2)

LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary Today Leagueunlimited brings you live coverage of this rivalry round clash between the Roosters and the Bulldogs from the SFS. The Bulldogs are 1-17, while the Roosters have Leilua starting in the centres, pushing Linnett out to wing. Mitchell Aubusson, named to start in #12 is going to wear #19, otherwise we have no changes.
The Bulldogs won the Toyota Cup clash 38-28.
1 min: Brilliant sunshine at the SFS. The Roosters kick off in Brett Kimmorley's 300th game.
2 min: Bulldogs make a half break in their first set and the Roosters will play off their own line.
4 min: TRY
TRY Sydney Roosters
A poor kick puts the Roosters on attack, and Carney kicks across to Leilua who jumps ahead of Winitana to score. Conversion attempt by Todd Carney successful.
Sydney Roosters 6-0
7 min: Roosters make an error coming out of their own end and the Bulldogs get a chance to respond instantly.
7 min: Kimmorley floats a pass wide and it bounces for Andrew Ryan who can't hold onto the ball and the Roosters hold out.
11 min: Bulldogs find space and go on attack.
11 min: TRY
TRY Canterbury Bulldogs
Very soft try. The Bulldogs go the length of the field in just a few tackles, and Ennis runs from dummy half to score in the right corner. Conversion attempt by Bryson Goodwin unsuccessful.
Sydney Roosters 6-4
16 min: Barba puts up a bomb, the Roosters let it bounce but they get lucky and it bounces dead. The dry conditions are suiting an exciting game.
17 min: TRY
TRY Sydney Roosters
The Roosters spread the ball to the left and a great pass puts Leilua into space who finds Minichello who scores. Minichello has had a great start to this game. Conversion attempt by Todd Carney successful.
Sydney Roosters 12-4
19 min: Carney throws a forward pass to Anasta, who was through but it rightfully gets called back. Really promising signs for the Roosters, but now they'll have to defend.
21 min: TRY
TRY Canterbury Bulldogs
Barba runs to the line and puts in a grubber for Morris who swoops on it and runs around to score under the posts. Conversion attempt by Bryson Goodwin successful.
Sydney Roosters 12-10
24 min: TRY
TRY Sydney Roosters
Conn gets an offload away to Friend who finds Pearce at a speed up the middle. He draws defenders and the grubber kicks for Carney who scores. Fantastic football! Conversion attempt by Todd Carney successful.
Sydney Roosters 18-10
27 min: Yet again the Roosters make a mistake coming out of their end, giving the Bulldogs yet another chance to return serve.
28 min: Roosters hold out but the Bulldogs will get a line drop out.
29 min: TRY
TRY Canterbury Bulldogs
Ennis makes a good run from dummy half and finds Hodgson who scores untouched under the posts. A huge forward pass thrown by Ennis wasn't called earlier in the set, however. Conversion attempt by Bryson Goodwin successful.
Sydney Roosters 18-16
32 min: Roosters get a penalty to help them out of their own end. First penalty of the game.
33 min: The Roosters go awfully close to scoring, Anasta fires a great ball to Linnett who gets caught in a great tackle to be forced touch in goal. Bulldogs get a penalty and go on attack.
35 min: The Bulldogs turn the ball over on attack, but play is taken back for a very dubious penalty for the Roosters taking a player out on speculation. The Dogs will kick for goal.
36 min: PENALTY GOAL
PENALTY GOAL Canterbury Bulldogs
Penalty goal attempt by Bryson Goodwin successful.
18 all
38 min: The Bulldogs are back on attack with plenty of tackles up their sleeve.
38 min: And then Josh Morris loses the ball but the Bulldogs get another penalty.
39 min: VIDEO REF - For a Bulldogs try...
39 min: TRY
TRY Canterbury Bulldogs
Ennis goes from dummy half and passes back inside to Paea who crashes over next to the posts. Conversion attempt by Bryson Goodwin successful.
Canterbury Bulldogs 24-18
40 min: Halftime in a really good game. The Roosters dominated early but it's looking all the Bulldogs right now.
40 min: Back underway at the SFS. Can the Roosters get back into this? The Bulldogs held 60% of possession in the first half, but the Roosters are only down by six.
41 min: Roosters called back for a forward pass which was definitely backwards that put Leilua in space, and Anasta is penalised for blowing up at the referee.
42 min: TRY
TRY Canterbury Bulldogs
Throughly undeserved try. After the penalty following the so-called forward pass, the Dogs spread the ball wide to Patten who dummies his way across. Conversion attempt by Bryson Goodwin successful.
Canterbury Bulldogs 30-18
47 min: Roosters hold out a Bulldogs attacking set.
49 min: Roosters give away another penalty and the Bulldogs go on attack again. Paea saves the Roosters by throwing a poor offload and turning the ball over.
50 min: Roosters get a line drop out.
51 min: Roosters get another repeat set.
53 min: VIDEO REF - For a Roosters try...
53 min: NO TRY - Roosters. Disgraceful call. Anasta ruled to have knocked on into Kimmorley, even though there was zero evidence of that actually happening. The Roosters will get the ball back for the Kimmorley knock on.
54 min: Kimmorley fields a kick and the Bulldogs hold out.
56 min: Roosters called back for another forward pass, this time correctly.
57 min: Tandy turns the ball over on attack and the Roosters stay alive.
58 min: Roosters get another line drop out.
59 min: VIDEO REF - For a Roosters try...
59 min: NO TRY - Roosters. Perrett ruled to have knocked on passing the ball back infield, but the Roosters will get the advantage after Barba touched the ball before it got to Perrett.
60 min: Although they've had plenty of refereeing assistance, the Bulldogs are defending brilliantly.
60 min: Roosters get another penalty on attack after Kimmorley takes out a chaser on a bomb.
61 min: TRY
TRY Sydney Roosters
Roosters move the ball left and after a lengthy period on attack, Leilua finally scores in the corner. Conversion attempt by Todd Carney successful.
Canterbury Bulldogs 30-24
64 min: Myles make a horrible mistake bringing the ball out of his own end.
66 min: PENALTY GOAL
PENALTY GOAL Canterbury Bulldogs
Another questionable penalty and Goodwin takes the opportunity to put the Bulldogs up by eight.
Canterbury Bulldogs 32-24
67 min: Bulldogs amazingly called for a forward pass coming out of their own end and the Roosters will go on attack.
68 min: Mad last tackle play from the Roosters finally sees a forward pass from Minichello called.
70 min: Morris loses the ball and the Roosters will get another chance to go on attack.
71 min: VIDEO REF - For a Roosters try...
71 min: TRY
TRY Sydney Roosters
Carney gets the ball on the last and he steps through the defence to score a try. Conversion attempt by Todd Carney successful.
Canterbury Bulldogs 32-30
73 min: Roosters have all the running in this game at the moment.
75 min: TRY
TRY Sydney Roosters
They're in again! The Roosters keep the ball alive on the last and go from sideline to sideline before Aubusson finds space and scores! Conversion attempt by Todd Carney successful.
Sydney Roosters 36-32
75 min: CROWD - 19,129
78 min: Roosters give away a penalty and invite the Bulldogs onto attack.
80 min: Bulldogs get the last set of the match off a line drop out.
80 min: Full time: The Roosters have won an absolute classic match.