Dogs capitalise on Crossload trip-up

Embed from Getty Images

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs v Newcastle Knights

A trip by Knights rake Phoenix Crossland early in the second half gave the Bulldogs the upper hand and ultimately a 20-0 victory in the final match of the round.

It was a defensively epic first half by both the Knights and Bulldogs, but neither side saw any advantage from it, and left this match in the balance at the halftime break.

The first two minutes were catastrophic for the Knights, with Jacob Saifiti injuring his calf as he ran onto the field. He would succumb to the injury just a few tackles after the game began. Winger James Schiller then copped a nasty headclash to the side of his head, which saw him bleeding from around his ear. Both players were ruled out for the match. Dane Gagai shifted to the wing, Thomas Cant moved from the back row to centre and Jermaine McEwen came from the bench to play the entire match in the second row. Then in the 23rd minute, Jack Cogger had a dislocated figure put back into place.

An illegal strip by Tyson Frizell in the third minute of the match gave the Bulldogs a penalty and Stephen Crichton kicked a penalty goal. This would be the only points scored in the entire first half.

Both sides played predominantly in the middle of the field. The Knights opting for running plays close to the Dogs line while the Bulldogs consistently went to the air, trying to find points for winger Jacob Kiraz.

But by halftime, both sides had failed to score a try.

Two minutes after play resumed, Toby Sexton kicked to Kiraz but the ball was not taken by the winger, however it went back off him. Josh Curran cleaned up and got the ball down on the tryline. Crichton converted from the right sideline.

The turning point of the match came just 3 minutes later when Phoenix Crossland was sent to the sin bin for a flagrant trip. 

On the first play after Crossland was binned, The Bulldogs found touch from the penalty, 20 metres from the Knights line. Reed Mahoney took the tap and passed to Jack Todd who ran through everyone to score. Crichton converted from in front.

The Bulldogs almost scored off the next set when Kiraz batted a bomb back infield to Kurt Mann who regathered and dived over to score, however the Bunker ruled the ball went forward off Kiraz.

The Bulldogs lifted a gear and begun to dominate field position. In the 70th minute a Crash ball play close to the Knights line saw Kurt Mann barge over for a try. Crichton converted.

The scoreboard wouldn't be troubled again as the Bulldogs won 20-0.