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NRL live round 14: Bulldogs v Eels, SuperCoach analysis, Stephen Crichton’s ‘magical day’

Canterbury’s Stephen Crichton notched a big ton but the SuperCoach story of the day was a host of underwhelming scores from popular players.

Tom SangsterTom Sangster
@TomSangsterSC
6 min read
June 10, 2024 - 8:35PM
News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 10: Jacob Preston of the Bulldogs leaves the field during the round 14 NRL match between Canterbury Bulldogs and Parramatta Eels at Accor Stadium, on June 10, 2024, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 10: Jacob Preston of the Bulldogs leaves the field during the round 14 NRL match between Canterbury Bulldogs and Parramatta Eels at Accor Stadium, on June 10, 2024, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)

Tom Sangster analyses the SuperCoach highs and lows from Sunday’s NRL clash between the Bulldogs and Eels.

WINNERS

* Stephen Crichton (124) - Stunning game backing up from Origin with two tries, a try assist and a number of crucial tackles that stats don’t give justice to.

* Connor Tracey (106) - The matchwinner with two late try assists and three in total. Terrorised the Eels with speed all afternoon.

* Blake Wilson (86) - Has been in and out of the Bulldogs’ team but showed his talent yet again with two tries and a number of key defensive plays.

* Blaize Talagi (62) - SuperCoach favourite was switched to the wing and scored an early try.

* Jacob Kiraz (65) - The ball went to the other flank all afternoon but Kiraz still managed a respectable score almost all in pure base.

Final SuperCoach scores from Bulldogs v Eels.
Final SuperCoach scores from Bulldogs v Eels.

LOSERS

* Jacob Preston (46) - Made it through 71 minutes but suffered a suspected broken ankle late and is set to miss plenty of footy.

* J’Maine Hopgood (32) - Only played 24 minutes in his first ever match backing up from Origin.

* Josh Curran (23) - Only played 17 minutes before leaving the field with a sickening concussion. The Dogs have the bye next week so hopefully he doesn’t miss any footy.

* Dylan Brown (44) - Notched a try assist but still his second worst score of the year against the miserly Dogs.

* Brendan Hands (32) - The second most popular buy of the round played 70 minutes even with Joey Lussick a late addition on the bench, but he couldn’t get among the attacking stats.

* Matt Burton (39) - Saved his score with a late flurry but it was looking dire at half-time on eight points.

FULL-TIME: BULLDOGS 20 DEFEAT EELS 18

Connor Tracey is the hero, setting up the final two tries with blistering speed to get the battered Bulldogs over the line.

Blake Wilson, who also produced a stunning second half alongside Tracey on the right, was the tryscorer.

It’s a great win for the Bulldogs who lost three players mid-game (more below) and had Kurt Mann binned at a crucial moment.

71ST MIN: PRESTON COPS SERIOUS LEG INJURY

Canterbury forward Jacob Preston appears set to miss a long stint after being taken from the field on a medicab with a suspected broken ankle.

Preston’s leg twisted awkwardly and there were immediate concerns for the tough backrower, who is only a few games back from a broken jaw.

He is the third Bulldog who will fail to finish after Josh Curran and Bailey Hayward both copped serious concussions.

68TH MIN: CRICHTON SETS UP THRILLER

We are set for a thriller!

The Bulldogs are well-and-truly back in this contest, trailing 18-16 after centre Stephen Crichton continued his magical day with another try.

That’s now two tries, a try assist and a number of crucial tackles that stats don’t give justice to.

The Dogs had crossed the line no less than five times in the second half but were denied every time (correctly) by referees.

They also had Kurt Mann off for 10 minutes but looked the better side over this period.

But Crichton’s latest try could open the floodgates.

57TH MIN: MANN MARCHED OVER ‘DELIBERATE CRUSHER’

Canterbury’s Kurt Mann has been marched for 10 and could find himself in serious trouble with the match review committee for a crusher tackle.

“That’s the sort of tackle we need eliminated from the game,” said Greg Alexander.

“That’s a deliberate crusher.”

44TH MIN: TUILAGI OVER FROM BROWN SHORT BALL

The Eels are looking everything other than the NRL’s 14th-placed side.

Kelma Tuilagi has been backed as a starting backrower under new coach Trent Barrett and he’s rewarded the new coach with a barnstorming hole run.

Dylan Brown gets the try assist in a huge boost for SuperCoach owners after a quiet first half on the stats sheet.

HALF-TIME: EELS 12 LEAD BULLDOGS 10

SuperCoach Winners:

* Stephen Crichton (92) - Stunning half backing up from Origin including a try and try assist.

* Blaize Talagi (57) - SuperCoach favourite was switched to the wing and scored an early try.

* Bryce Cartwright (44) - Rocks and diamonds. Some horror errors but also notched a classy try assist.

SuperCoach losers:

* Josh Curran (23) - Off with concussion and won’t return.

* Jacon Kiraz (19) - Unusually quiet half rom the SuperCoach gun with all ball heading to Crichton’s side.

* Dylan Brown (14) - Another SuperCoach star struggling for impact. Base stats are way down.

* Matt Burton (8) - Ripped a few enormous bombs but strangely missing from the attacking stats.

38TH MIN: SICKENING CONCUSSION FLOORS CURRAN

Canterbury forward Josh Curran has been taken off on a medicab after copping a hip to the head while making a tackle.

Curran had only been on the field for 17 minutes after coming off the bench.

He is the second Bulldog to be ruled out of the game through concussion after young gun Bailey Hayward copped an earlier knock.

The 18th man Jake Turpin has been activated.

Josh Curran down with concussion.
Josh Curran down with concussion.

35TH MIN: PENISINI SCORES, TALAGI TRY DISALLOWED

Will Penisini has put the Eels back in front 12-10.

The Bulldogs rushed Mitchell Moses on the final play, which you should never do.

Flick passes ensued from both Moses and Bryce Cartwright to put the Parramatta centre over.

Moments earlier, SuperCoach favourite Blaize Talagi had a try rightly disallowed after Clint Gutherson was ruled to have knocked on while contesting a bomb.

20TH MINUTE: CRICHTON LIGHTS UP ACCOR

Backing up from Origin and in front of a crowd predicted to nudge 50,000, Canterbury centre Stephen Crichton is putting on a show.

He’s had a hand in both Canterbury tries, scoring the first and setting up the second to Blake Wilson with a flick pass.

And that’s not to mention his usual water-tight defence.

13TH MIN: YOUNG GUN OFF WITH CONCUSSION

Canterbury rookie Bailey Hayward is off and won’t return due to a sickening concussion.

Hayward was a half in the lower grades but has been mixing it with the big boys in the middle in a great debut season.

He was promoted to starting lock on game day but unfortunately got his head in the wrong spot.

We wish a speedy recovery.

8TH MIN: TALAGI CROSSES FOR EELS’ OPENER

Blaize Talagi is playing his FIFTH position of the year after being switched to the wing in place of Maika Sivo (hamstring).

He’s made an immediate impact by scoring in the corner as the Eels look red-hot.

“How good are they looking with the ball,” said Greg Alexander in commentary.

“They don’t look like a bottom four team,” added Andrew Voss.

The Eels lead 6-nil.

FINAL TEAMS: TWO BIG CHANGES FOR SUPERCOACH

There are two significant SuperCoach changes in final teams.

Firstly, Blaize Talagai has been switched to the wing with Maika Sivo (hamstring) out and Daejarn Asi coming into the side at centre.

Secondly, Brendan Hands is the second most popular SuperCoach buy this week mainly on the premise he will play 80 minutes.

But Joey Lussick is a late inclusion on the bench and could cut into Hands’ game time.

Origin players Stephen Crichton and J’Maine Hopgood will back up.

Brendan Hands may not play 80 minutes. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
Brendan Hands may not play 80 minutes. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Bulldogs

1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Blake Wilson 6. Matt Burton 7. Toby Sexton 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Samuel Hughes 11. Jacob Preston 12. Jaeman Salmon 14. Bailey Hayward

Bench: 13. Kurt Mann 15. Josh Curran 16. Kurtis Morrin 17. Lipoi Hopoi

Reserves: 21. Jake Turpin

Cut: 19. Poasa Faamausili 20. Blake Taaffe 22. Drew Hutchison 23. Harry Hayes

Eels

1. Clinton Gutherson 4. Blaize Talagi 3. Viliami Penisini 18. Daejarn Asi 5. Sean Russell 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Brendan Hands 17. Wiremu Greig 11. Kelma Tuilagi 12. Bryce Cartwright 13. J’maine Hopgood

Bench: 10. Junior Paulo 14. Joe Ofahengaue 15. Shaun Lane 20. Joey Lussick

Reserves: 16. Makahesi Makatoa

Cut: 2. Maika Sivo 19. Morgan Harper 21. Ryan Matterson 22. Luca Moretti

BULLDOGS V EELS: SUPERCOACH PREVIEW

The King’s birthday match between the Bulldogs and Eels is almost here and SuperCoaches have two star youngsters at front of mind.

Firstly, Blaize Talagi gets a crack at centre following the season-ending injury to Bailey Simonsson and is predicted for more big price rises.

Secondly, Brendan Hands is the second most purchased player this week, but will he continue playing 80 minutes under new coach Trent Barrett?

Meanwhile, the Origin contingent of J’Maine Hopgood and Stephen Crichton are set to back up on the longest possible turnaround of five days.

BULLDOGS V EELS: PLAYERS TO WATCH

* Blaize Talagi - Huge boost with the popular cheapie named starting centre for the Eels. The job security is good given the man he replaces, Bailey Simonsson, is out for the season with a knee issue.

SuperCoach Plus predicts Talagi will make another 90K in the next two weeks. So let him ride for a little longer and make a decision before his round 16 bye.

* Brendan Hands - The Parramatta rake was called on to play the full 80 minutes last week and he acquitted himself well scoring 65 points (55 in pure base).

His appeal centres entirely on him continuing to play 80 minutes each week which is a bit of a lottery.

* Jacob Preston - Tipped as a good buy last week thanks to an increased role deputising for the injured Viliame Kikau, Preston delivered scoring 109 points with two tries and more than 50 points in base. Still a decent buy but there are some issues.

Firstly, the Bulldogs have two byes still to serve and Preston is unavailable for rounds 15 and 19. Secondly, when Kikau returns, Preston will need to be sold. Not massively against him, but prefer David Fifita and Eliesa Katoa.

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Originally published as NRL live round 14: Bulldogs v Eels, SuperCoach analysis, Stephen Crichton’s ‘magical day’

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Original URL: https://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/sport/nrl/supercoach-news/nrl-live-round-14-bulldogs-v-eels-supercoach-analysis-blaize-talagis-chance-at-centre/news-story/346db9c7a0bb3ae6284194bf4f132c99