Canterbury Dogs bounce back from week of turmoil with victory over Wests Tigers

Under increasing pressure following two heavy losses to start the season, the Bulldogs did what they do best — they bit, barked and snarled.

William Hopoate tackled by Corey Thompson.

Dean’s Pay day has finally arrived.

Under increasing pressure following two heavy losses to start the season, the Bulldogs did what they do best — they bit, barked and snarled.

Canterbury called on their famous resolve to overcome previously unbeaten Wests Tigers 22-8 at a noisy Campbelltown Stadium.

Three unanswered first-half tries gave the visitors an unassailable 18-0 halftime lead.

It was a stunning form reversal from a hapless side which leaked 76 points in their opening two matches.

Bulldogs head coach Dean Pay.

They’re not the best team in rugby league but Canterbury showed — once again — they should never be dismissed.

It was Dogs of War stuff.

It’s almost as though the Dogs love being abandoned and disregarded. In hindsight, maybe we should have seen this coming.

A booming ‘Bulldogs’ chant echoed around Campbelltown midway through the second half, a reminder their supporters haven’t given up either.

William Hopoate tackled by Corey Thompson.

PAY DAY

Going into Sunday’s match, Pay had won just eight of 26 games.

The decision, two days earlier, to sign him to a one-year extension raised eyebrows. Especially after the poor start to the season.

But the board’s decision is, temporarily at least, vindicated.

Retaining Pay clearly gave the players a sense of stability and confidence.

MADGE’S MOMENTUM

Wests have never started a season 3-0 in the club’s 19-year history. And this year is no different.

After two promising wins over Manly and New Zealand Warriors, fans once again had their hopes and dreams let down.

It may only be a minor setback but losing to their western Sydney rivals will sting.

Maguire watched with intensity and anguish from the coaching box — located just behind the media area at Campbelltown.

His blood pressure rose with every mistake in his first loss as Tigers coach.

Benji Marshall gets a kick away. Picture: Phil Hillyard

PERFECT CHANGE

Pay’s decision to dump five players after just two games was seen as either panicked or a necessity.

On Sunday, it proved a good old-fashioned masterstroke. The newbies brought fight, dedication and enthusiasm.

Pay showed considerable ticker to make such a bold move. He followed through on the threat he made after round one.

And did it despite being on the receiving end of an 8-3 penalty count.

STATS

Wests Tigers bumbled their way through the game, committing 11 errors.

In the decisive first half, Wests Tigers averaged 40 metres a set, while Canterbury ran for 54 metres.

Bulldogs winger Jayden Okunbor, on debut, ran for 210 metres. His Bulldogs wing partner, Reimis Smith, ran for 168 metres.

Eight Canterbury players ran for 100 metres or more.

Josh Jackson pokes his nose through.

THE FOZ

Kieran Foran played on bravely with a right ankle injury, scored a 29th minute try and threw the final pass for ‘Big Papi’ Dylan Napa to crash over.

He was held up over the tryline twice too.

He was hobbling from midway through the first half but showed grit to continue. He looked sharp too, took on the line, kicked, barked instructions.

Napa had scored two tries in the first 123 NRL games. He has scored two in the past two games.

Aiden Tolman played the entire opening 40 minutes, Napa played 30. Pay turned to his big boppers — and they didn’t disappoint.

Kieran Foran of the Bulldogs.

TERRIFIC TRY

Canterbury have been dour in attack this season — until the 26th minute when they burst to life.

With Wests on the attack, halfback Luke Brooks slipped a short ball to back-rower Michael Chee Kam, who spilt possession. The dropped ball came as the Tigers ground announcer felt a need to start screaming again — possibly distracting the players.

Bulldogs fullback Nick Meaney — grandson of former Wests Magpies player Denis Meaney — collected the loose ball and took off, swerved, accelerated before slipping it to Will Hopoate who sent Smith over for a fabulous 93 metre effort.

CANTERBURY 22 (A Elliott K Foran D Napa R Smith tries R Martin 3 goals) bt WESTS TIGERS 8 (M Fonua L Garner tries) at Campbelltown Sports Stadium. Referee: Gavin Badger, Grant Atkins. Crowd: 15,127.