Lachlan Lewis brainsnap: Bulldog produces dumbest act of NRL season

In case he was unaware of the enormity of his Canterbury rebuild, Phil Gould was given another reminder. VIDEO

Lachlan Lewis throws Cody Walker to ground.

He might have one of the best brains in rugby league, but can Phil Gould cure brainsnaps?

In case he was unaware of the enormity of the Canterbury Bulldogs rebuild in front of him, Gould was given another reminder after Lachlan Lewis’ senseless act in their 32-24 loss to South Sydney.

The Bulldogs had courageously clawed their way to a surprise two-point lead on Sunday night when Lewis was binned for inexcusably tackling Cody Walker after the halftime siren.

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His 10-minute spell only cost Canterbury six points, but it was symbolic of the ill-discipline that condemned the league’s last-placed side to their ninth defeat in 10 games.

Lachlan Lewis throws Cody Walker to ground.

The frustrating loss comes just days after Gould’s stunning return to the once-proud club, who have also dropped 31 of their past 36 matches and are on track to finish with this year’s wooden spoon.

In contrast, the Rabbitohs continue their hot streak.

Even without rested star Latrell Mitchell, and losing another three during the game, the Bunnies have now reeled off six straight wins to consolidate third spot.

And they’re doing it in style — the six-try clinic was also the 10th time in 14 games they’ve scored over 30 points.

But the biggest talking point at Cbus Super Stadium was Lewis’ bizarre attack on Walker.

After Walker’s final attacking raid to end the half was defused, the South Sydney five-eighth exchanged words with Lewis as both teams walked from the field.

Whatever Walker said must have struck a nerve with Lewis, who inexplicably grabbed and wrestled his counterpart to the ground and instigate a minor melee.

Lachlan Lewis sent to the sin bin (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Referee Ben Cummins had no hesitation in calling players back and marching Lewis.

Asked about the incident after the game, Walker said on Fox Sports: “I don’t know man. I wouldn’t have a clue. Whatever, it’s in the past. Whatever happens on the field stays on there.”

Canterbury coach Trent Barrett said it was uncharacteristic of his playmaker.

“Obviously something’s happened for him to react like that. And it hurt us — they scored a try and kicked a penalty goal while he was on the field,” he said.

“It was disappointing, but that wasn’t the reason we lost the game. We had our chances to win it.”

Lachlan Lewis, seriously, that was idiotic

— Dean Ritchie (@BulldogRitchie) July 18, 2021

That's one of the funniest things I've ever seen on a footy field. I love Lachlan Lewis #NRLSouthsBulldogs

— Matt Bungard (@TheMattBungard) July 18, 2021

Lachlan Lewis with the bear hug for the submission win

— ParraEelsFacts (@ParraEelsFacts) July 18, 2021

Unbelievably, Lewis’ incredulous act was followed by Sione Katoa’s mindless decision to run Braidon Burns off the ball from the restart, immediately handing the Rabbitohs possession.

It didn’t take long for Walker to make the Bulldogs pay, with the former NSW State of Origin star putting Alex Johnston over for his second, and to reclaim the lead.

And while the Bulldogs twice came within a converted try of South Sydney in the second half — including one set up by a Lewis tap-on — it wasn’t enough to spurn an opportunity to spring an upset.

Cody Walker thrown to the ground by Lachlan Lewis (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

NICHOLLS MILESTONE

Veteran prop Mark Nicholls celebrated his 100th game by icing the win with the game’s final try, and just the fourth of his career.

“When I came to Souths, I asked Sam (Burgess) who I thought I should keep and who I didn’t because I didn’t know all the players. I certainly didn’t know Mark,” Bennett said.

“And Sam said to me, ‘Keep him, coach, because he’s good value. The boys want to play with him. He doesn’t get a lot of opportunity at the moment but I’m sure you’ll give him an opportunity.’

“I think he’s been in the first grade squad ever since I arrived here.”

South Sydney appeared headed for a cruisy evening when they claimed the opening two tries, first Taane Milne diving over down the right, and Johnston touching down on the left.

But, against the run of play, two Canterbury tries in five minutes left the Rabbitohs stunned.

First it was rookie Bailey Biondi-Odo who shot out of dummy-half to send Aaron Schoupp across, before Corey Allan followed him in, with Averillo’s boot giving them a shock 12-10 halftime lead.

Mark Nicholls celebrates a rare try (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

JOHNSTON HISTORY

Johnston’s double was another one for the record books.

In doing so he not only became the first player in the NRL era to register multiple tries in six straight games, but also broke his personal best of 23 tries in a single season, set last year.

Johnston now leads the league this year with 24, leaving him all but certain to become the first player to rack up 25 tries in a regular season — and eighth in history — since Nathan Blacklock in 2001.

His record-breaking night however came to an abrupt end when he left the field with a hamstring injury immediately after completing his brace early in the second half.

BAD DOGS

Further souring a frustrating night for coach Trent Barrett was the double-citing of front-row duo Dylan Napa and Jack Hetherington for high contact.

Napa was put on report for a high shot in the second half, while Hetherington also faces a nervous wait for Monday’s charge sheet after collecting Braidon Burns high.

Originally published as Lachlan Lewis brainsnap: Bulldog produces dumbest act of NRL season