Bulldogs bite down on finals football in Bundaberg

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Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs v Dolphins

A Matt Burton masterclass and Jacob Kiraz double sealing a 30-10 win over the Dolphins at Salter Oval, Bundaberg on Saturday afternoon.

The first game of Super Saturday saw the Canterbury Bulldogs annihilate the Dolphins at Salter Oval, with a Matt Burton masterclass and Jacob Kiraz double sealing a 30-10 win over the Dolphins at Salter Oval, Bundaberg on Saturday afternoon. 

The win all but confirms that the Bulldogs play finals football, while the Dolphins nervously wait to see if they remain in the top eight at the end of the week. 

The first ten minutes of the game saw the field territory battle remain even, but a crucial Matt Burton tackle on Jamayne Isaako as he started to streak down the right wing got the Dogs on the attack. The very next set, the Bulldogs went right and Stephen Crichton sent Jacob Kiraz over into the right corner - which is where Kiraz would see his lunch for the second time in a few hours. Matt Burton would leave that conversion attempt to the right for a 4-0 lead. 

Some ill-discipline from Felise Kaufusi allowed the Dogs to make it a 6-0 lead with a Burton penalty goal after 15 minutes… but the highlight of the year would happen after 23 minutes. 

Tevita Pangai Jnr, looking to offload the ball on tackle one with the try-line in sight, turned the ball over and the Dogs sent Josh-Addo Carr flying along the left sideline with no one in sight. That was, until Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, who was on the kick off-spot as Addo-Carr crossed halfway, put to bed the debate of the fastest man in the league with a potentially finals saving tackle five metres out from the line.

The very next set, the Dolphins would ride off that game-turning play, swinging to the right and with some beautiful quick passing, sent Jamayne Isaako over in the right corner. Isaako, who looked a little worse for wear post-try, would miss his conversion to leave it at 6-4.

"ONE FOR THE AGES!"

What a chase-down and try saving tackle from the Hammer!!!

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Another Felise Kaufusi high shot had the Bulldogs on the attack, and they made no mistake as Jacob Kiraz would yet again sail into the right corner. Matt Burton went right very late in the set, with Connor Tracey setting up Kiraz for his second of the day. Burton sent his second conversion attempt to the left, with the score staying at 10-4.

Ten minutes later, with the Dolphins building over halfway, Kodi Nikorima sent a ball out the back of the attack and Josh Addo-Carr swooped on it to run 50 metres and score to the left of the posts. Matt Burton would make no mistake this time for a 16-4 lead - only for Jake Averillo to intercept a pass from Toby Sexton and run 70 metres untouched on halftime to send the Dolphins into shed sheds down 16-10. 

The Bulldogs had the bulk of the territory in the first ten minutes after half-time, with Addo-Carr nearly scoring if not for a foot landing out of bounds. The Bulldogs would get a penalty however, and Matt Burton extended the lead to 18-10 after 50 minutes. 
A Burton torpedo forced an error out Jamayne Isaako, with the Dogs playing some hot potato in the red zone. Matt Burton ended up on his back from Max Plath, flaring up the emotions for both sides as the final quarter of the game loomed large. 

A Josh Curran charge down put the Dolphins on the back foot, with a Bulldog onslaught over the next five minutes coming to nothing. The Dolphins would look to rally with some strong defense, but Matt Burton would break through some flimsy defense to send Bronson Xerri over - Burton converting to make it 22-10 with 12 minutes left. 

The very next set, Viliame Kikau would break away from his own half to send Matt Burton running towards open field, with Connor Tracey the benefactor of a Burton freight train to bury the Dolphins and confirm that the Bulldogs would play in September barring a massive collapse.

A 30-10 win, in front of their fans at Salter Oval all but sealed that Bulldogs finals chances, putting the Dogs 6 points ahead of the 8th placed Dolphins. Should the Raiders, Dragons and Knights all lose this weekend, it would ensure that the Dogs qualify for September for the first time since 2016.

It, at least temporarily, puts the Bulldogs into fifth and tied with the Sharks (4th, 32 points, +175 PD), with the 20 point win crucially sneaking the Dogs closer to the Sharks points differential. The Dolphins will need to wait for other results to see if they maintain their spot in the top eight come Sunday night. It also sets up for a huge final three rounds, especially for the Bulldogs, who come up against the Sea Eagles and Cowboys - all three teams technically still in the hunt for an elusive top four berth.