Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs recorded the result of the season in their 34-4 success against Parramatta Eels on Monday afternoon in front of 20,184 fans at Stadium Australia.
Josh Addo-Carr trotted for a hat-trick in a performance which might secure him back his Blues jersey in a rollicking performance that saw the Bulldogs blow away a disappointing Eels side behind the Matt Burton-Addo-Carr combo.
From the opening exchanges, Bulldogs were up for the contest. Tevita Pangai-Junior made it his mission to take on the Eels pack and ruffled some feathers which got the top four side off their game and allowed the Bulldogs to flourish.
The Eels channeled a 90s rock band as they were their own worst enemy tonight. Waqa Blake had an early score chalked off for obstruction then it was a fumbling, bumbling and frankly embarassing from a team that is supposedly a top four side.
The combination between Josh Addo-Carr and Matt Burton has been one of the bright sparks in the Bulldogs season thus far. The five-eighth put in a short kick for a flying Addo-Carr to go over untouched.
Bulldogs were just hungrier for the ball tonight. Jake Averillo was on spot to take an intercept from Reagan Campbell-Gillard to take it to the distance and extend the Bulldogs lead out to double digits.
Buoyed by their points, the Dogs continued to push forward and added another four-pointer to young centre Jacob Kiraz to lead 16-0 at the break. The Bulldogs were given a rousing reception from their home faithful after a brilliant half.
They might have expected the Eels to come out firing in the second half but it was Bulldogs having a party again. Burton and Addo-Carr combined again in the 47th minute with a well timed Burton grubber seeing the winger make it 22-0.
Being dropped from the Blues side might have been the spark Addo-Carr needed. He completed his hat-trick with an intercept from Eels fullback Clint Gutherson as he trotted away and danced on the Eels chances of a win tonight.
Bulldogs left their best trick until last. They kept the ball alive like it was the Harlem Globertrotters before it went into the hands of Burton again. He kicked ahead this time for Averillo to out-pace the Eels defence to send the 20,184 fans into delirium at 34-4.
Eels got some late consolation when Villiame Penisini sliced through from a Mitch Moses pass to prevent the Eels having a zero next to their name. Other than that, it was a forgettable afternoon for the Eels who remain a mystery in this year's competition.