Walker kicks high and it's knocked on by the Dogs. Six more. Roosters will hold on.
Dogs tried to sweep right. It got clunky and it was a clearing kick on last from Lewis.
Meaney takes the ball. Three minutes to go. Can the Dogs produce a miracle.
Walker puts it over.
PENALTY ROOSTERS! Hetherington hits Radley high.
Lachlan Lam stabs one through and gets a restart.
Ill-timed flick pass from Jackson is fumbled.
Roosters just can't get it together! Quick hands on the right and Morris fumbles it.
Dogs chance their hand on last. Lewis rolls it right and the kick inside is marked by Manu. Seven tackle set for the Roosters.
Roosters kick it three times in that set! It all came to naught though. Dogs rucking it out.
Dogs hold the ball. Walker put one high for Lkuvalu again but he can't tap it back. Dogs try to counter and lose it.
Roosters almost strolled through on the right! Sitili Tupouniua gets over Lewis before an ambitious pass inside. On the left it is thrown forward.
PENALTY BULLDOGS! Joey Manu was offside from the kick. Bulldogs doing well to repel the Roosters.
Roosters were trying to get the razzle dazzle going but the Dogs stood up to the test!
PENALTY ROOSTERS! Walker taken late.
Walker from the right side. He studies the kick and hooks it.
Ikuvalu got the penalty and gets the try. Walker floats one wide, the winger steps inside and scores.
PENALTY ROOSTERS! Matt Ikuvalu takes a speccy. He was also tackled in the air.
Averillo with a kick on the right to make it 16-all. He takes his time. Studies. He pilots it over.
My word! Dogs within a kick to level things. Lewis took it left and dug right in. Dogs spread it right with numbers and Meaney slices through!
Ikuvalu rises highest but he loses it! Dogs with a big chance here.
Now the Roosters hand it over. Corey Waddell with a good shot.
It's Joe Stimson. He dropped the ball.
KICK-OFF! We're back underway!
Back on the field at Bankwest! Roosters hold a slender six-point lead against the Bulldogs who have shown some grit tonight. Will the Roosters run away with it or will we see a monumental upset? Let's find out!
Time off! Another possible HIA for the Bulldogs as the half winds down. Roosters will see out the half with the ball. HALFTIME.
Averillo from out wide. He produces one of the worst kicks. It went UNDER the crossbar.
Play it again, Lewis! Lachlan is back in first grade and has a double! He got the six again and gets the benefit. Manu tried to wrestle his way out, loses it and Lewis pounces.
Roosters push forward again but Taukeiaho drops it.
Walker smashes it through the posts.
Joey Manu just strolled through. The centre turned fullback beat one tackle, brushed off some flimsy defense and dived over.
How many dudes you know kick like this? Not many if Meaney. Nick tries to stab one through but it catches Hutchinson's leg and the fullback knocked on in the follow up.
Roosters get a set restart right off the scrum. Two tackles later they throw it forward. Bulldogs relieved.
Bang! Hetherington tries to surge up and gets squashed by Victor Radley. He forced the ball loose.
Dogs got their admin wrong pre-game. Initially it was named with Joe Stimson starting and Renouf Atoni on the bench. They ran out the opposite way. It was only noticed when Atoni went off for a HIA and James Hooper on the sideline confirmed the Bulldogs will be served a breach notice.
Averillo pilots one over.
Lewis scores.
That is out of the top drawer! Lewis chips for himself, he beats all the chasers to the ball and scores!
Some positive work from the Dogs there. Jake Averillo almost sneaks through then on last, Sione Katoa stabs through and forces a dropout.
Roosters now drop it. Tupounia in the centre position spills it. Dogs scrum on halfway.
Dogs hit the Roosters with a wet leaf and Hetherington loses it.
Billy Smith loses it cold. The youngster wants to CHALLENGE. He gets a firm no from the rest of the side. Bulldogs scrum.
Walker this time from the right touchline. He squeezes it inside.
Roosters are marching upfield at will! Walker with a wonky kick which bounces more than a first day WACA pitch and Sitili Tupouniua is there to touch down.
Walker has his first assignment tonight. The kick is from the touchline, he strides in and keeps it straight but fades wide.
Easy as you like! Welcome back Billy Smith. Walker dug into the line gave to Hutchinson before Smith had the easy task to finish the movement.
Wonderful take from Dogs winger Corey Allan! He attacked the ball and yoinked it from the air. Both sides are getting through their sets early.
Here we go! Roosters are first onto Bankwest! Wearing their tri-colours and trotting out looking to avenge their big loss last week to the Storm. Quickly followed by the Bulldogs. They are in their traditional blue and white and looking for the upset! One quick note: the referees have changed due to covid protocols which means Adam Gee has the whistle tonight!
Good Evening! Hope everyone is staying safe and importantly, inside if you are in the Greater Sydney area and ready to enjoy some rugby league. The Roosters haven't been in full fettle much this season but still possess enough firepower to blow away the Bulldogs. For the Bulldogs, they were beaten by 66 against the Sea Eagles and need to find something quick to get themselves away from the dreaded spoon. Coach Trent Barrett has changed his halves again with Lachlan Lewis coming in for Kyle Flanagan but can they produce something.. anything.. to give their fans some joy. Maybe? Grab a drink, snack and rug up! Kick-off is at 7:30pm!
Referees & scorers:
Referee: Adam Gee
Touch Judges: Peter Gough, Dave Munro
Video Referee: Ashley Klein
CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS (16)
Tries: Lachlan Lewis (2), Nick Meaney
Field Goals:
Two Point Field Goals:
Conversions: Jake Averillo (2/3)
Penalty Goals:
SYDNEY ROOSTERS (22)
Tries: Billy Smith, Sitili Tupouniua, Joseph Manu, Matt Ikuvalu
Field Goals:
Two Point Field Goals:
Conversions: Sam Walker (2/4)
Penalty Goals: Sam Walker (1/1)