NRL round nine: Canterbury Bulldogs defeat Wests Tigers 22-14

There were two sin bins and arguably should’ve been another for a controversial hip drop tackle, but in the end it was the Bulldogs who grabbed the points over the Tigers in a feisty clash.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 04: Kurt Mann of the Bulldogs scores a try during the round nine NRL match between Canterbury Bulldogs and Wests Tigers at Accor Stadium, on May 04, 2024, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)

Things are starting to spiral out of control for the Wests Tigers after they finished their game against the Bulldogs with 11 men and could lose another to suspension as they slumped to a fifth defeat in a row.

The 22-14 loss probably flattered the visitors who started well with a long-range Charlie Staines try, but that’s as good as it got for a team that is stuck in the bottom four with tougher times ahead.

While their attack was clunky without inspirational captain Api Koroisau (back), their discipline was woeful and eventually saw two players marched by Kasey Badger in the final 10 minutes.

A minute after they were warned about dissent, veteran David Klemmer was sent to the sin bin for back chat as a wild melee broke out following a heavy shot by Alex Seyfarth on Jacob Kiraz.

Players from both sides rushed in, and Seyfarth lost the plot when he headbutted Reed Mahoney and was given an early shower for an act that could attract plenty of interest from the match review committee.

Bronson Xerri was among the tries for the Bulldogs.

Kurt Mann scores a try. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

CARDINAL SIN

Just when we thought we knew what constitutes a sin bin in the NRL, the officials have muddied the waters with a bizarre decision to not sin bin Aidan Sezer for a shocking hip-drop tackle on Josh Curran.

Everyone at Accor Stadium and those watching on TV had two hands raised assuming the Wests Tigers halfback would be marched for 10 minutes, but he was inexplicably allowed to stay on the field for a tackle that will be heavily scrutinised by the match review committee.

The rugby league gods have a funny fan of dishing out natural justice, and after he potted the penalty goal to put his side in front, Matt Burton then strolled straight past Sezer to set up Bronson Xerri a few minutes later as the Bulldogs overcame a slow start to win.

Matt Burton remains in the hunt for a Blues jersey. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

Viliame Kikau showcased some of his best for the Bulldogs. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

A NEW HOPE

It was a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away when the Bulldogs last won back-to-back games, but after waiting more than a year, the blue and whites ended the drought to consolidate their spot in the top eight.

It’s too soon to say the empire has struck back, but they look so much better than what we’ve seen in recent years, with their attack humming in the second half after a sluggish first 40 minutes.

Viliame Kikau was in beast mode after the break, while Burton did his State of Origin hopes no harm with some nice touches on both sides of the field.

Drew Hutchison also silenced some of his critics with the halfback putting in a perfectly-weighted kick in for Curran to score, with their attack to get better when Connor Tracey (quad) returns next week.

THE PHANTOM MENACE

The Bulldogs struggled for years to find a replacement for Michael Ennis, but they’ve found their man in Reed Mahoney who looks so much more threatening now that he’s not weighed down by the captaincy.

The nuggety nine knows how to niggle like no one else, and he backed it up with a team-high 35 tackles and some crafty work around the ruck to set up Kurt Mann for Canterbury’s first try.

Mahoney was placed on report for a lifting tackle in the first half and was the first man to rush in when all hell broke loose at the end.

Originally published as NRL round nine: Canterbury Bulldogs defeat Wests Tigers 22-14