Bulldogs survive major scare in big bounce back

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South Sydney Rabbitohs v Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs

The Canterbury Bulldogs have nearly lost the unlosable as they bounced back from their embarrassing defeat last week to the Knights to take a 36-32 win over the South Sydney Rabbitohs at Accor Stadium.

After conceding 66 last week, the Bulldogs wanted improvement and the first five minutes didn't show much for them as Tom Burgess went over from close range through some very soft defence right in the middle of the park.

The Bulldogs took advantage of their first attacking opportunity through some Matt Burton magic when the Canterbury five-eighth ran to the line and threw a lovely floating pass out to Blake Wilson and the winger had his first try in the NRL.

Things didn't go well from the kick-off for the Bulldogs as Ryan Sutton had to be stretchered off after coping a high shoulder from repeat offender Taane Milne which initially was put on report before the officials took further action and put Milne into the sin bin.

Taking advantage of the extra man, things were looking good for the Doggies when Tevita Pangai Junior set things in motion with his charge down before Matt Burton again went left and found Blake Wilson for his second try. The Bulldogs continued to take advantaged as the Souths defence looked lethargic and the shift right then back to the middle opened up things for Reed Mahoney.

Souths were able to regroup and get possession back as Tyrone Munro showed why he is one of the stars of the future as he put on the footwork and speed to beat the Bulldogs defence. Blake Taaffe converted from wide out to close the gap to 18-12.

It was both sides of the park that was on fire for the Bulldogs as they spun the ball to the right and were able to cross in the corner with Jacob Kiraz. Matt Burton added a fourth conversion and the Bulldogs held a 24-12 lead which they took into half time.

The second half could only be described as wild as Canterbury extend their lead not long into the half when Ethan Quai-Ward got on the board as it wasn't conventional but the Bulldogs were able to go left again and get over in the corner.

Despite trailing by 16, Souths showed they weren't out of it as Blake Taaffe put on the speed to beat the Bulldogs defence and score his own try. The conversion was waved away and the Dogs still lead by 12 points.

The Bulldogs added a penalty goal to extend their lead out to 14 but it was another chaotic moment with the Dogs initially going over but denied by a double movement, but with referee Liam Kennedy playing advantage from the scrum, the Rabbitohs were penalised for being offside.

Blake Taaffe added his second try of the game to keep the Rabbitohs in it as he was able to get his way to the line. Dean Hawkins took over the kicking and added the conversion to close the gap down to 8.

Inside the final 10 minutes, the Bulldogs looked like they put the game to bed when Blake Wilson got over for his third after Matt Burton set up the attacking raid swooping on the loose ball.

The Bulldogs lead by 14 and seemingly had the game under control though the Rabbitohs had different ideas scoring two tries within 40 seconds of each other. The first came when Tyrone Munro chased through a grubber kick to get his second. The missed conversion probably hurt the Rabbitohs chances as the score remained 10 points apart.

An unlikely source pulled off a piece of magic when Tallis Duncan put on the skills as he threw a dummy after the Rabbitohs elected to shift the ball from the kick-off but Duncan went through the middle of the field and despite having heavy legs he got to the line.

It was a piece of luck for Toby Sexton that saved the Bulldogs from defeat as a grubber kick from Souths had a Tass try written all over it if it wasn't for the desperate grab from Sexton.

Next weekend, South Sydney have the bye before welcoming back their stars for a clash with the Broncos on the Sunshine Coast. Meanwhile, the Bulldogs also have the Broncos as their next opponents as they host them at Belmore.