Brave Bulldogs put up a fight but fall to Storm in Melbourne 18-16

Canterbury scored a late try against Melbourne to potentially send Sunday’s gripping match at AAMI Park into a deserved golden point. What unfolded next Andrew Johns labelled a “horror movie”.

Rhyse Martin reacts to a missed conversion which would have leveled the scores late in the match. Picture: AAP

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It was a moment Andrew Johns labelled a “horror movie.”

Canterbury scored a late try against Melbourne to potentially send Sunday’s gripping match at AAMI Park into a deserved golden point.

It came down to a sideline conversion from Bulldogs back-rower Rhyse Martin, who kicks at stunning 93 per cent.

But the kick inside the final minute was horrible. Martin started it way right and it never worked back.

Melbourne’s 18-16 lead remained — the brave Bulldogs left shattered after offering such a robust and brave performance.

Rhyse Martin reacts to a missed conversion which would have leveled the scores late in the match. Picture: AAP

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“Given how good a kicker Rhyse is we were getting ready for golden point,” Storm skipper Cameron Smith told Channel 9. “Thankfully he sprayed it right.”

Canterbury did everything right at AAMI Park yesterday, except win.

They Bulldogs — who were down to 15 men for a period — rattled the usually unflappable Melbourne for 70 minutes of the game.

It just wasn’t quite enough. Canterbury didn’t win the game — but they won further respect. A solo try to Storm star Cameron Munster finally gave Melbourne the lead.

Bulldogs winger Reimis Smith scored near full-time but Martin missed the conversion and Canterbury missed their chance at extra time. Looking tired late in the game, Canterbury refused to surrender.

AWESOME OKUNBOR

Bulldogs winger Jayden Okunbor backed up last weekend’s big performance on debut with another powerhouse display.

He scored his side’s second try and ran for a whopping 290 metres, after registering 214 metres on debut last weekend.

On one carry he ran straight over the top of Storm skipper Cam Smith on a 30 metre charge down field.

Jayden Okunbor had some trouble under the high ball but looked devastating with his runs. Picture: AAP

“He (Smith) was an idol,” Okunbor said.

Okunbor repeated the first-half break in the second when he again steamrolled Smith on another 40-metre burst.

“We came here and not a lot of people expected us to go well,” Okunbor said.

SUPER SMITH

Smith needed nine points to break Hazem El Masri’s all-time record of 2418. He could only manage six, meaning he should become rugby league’s greatest pointscorer in Friday’s match against North Queensland in Townsville.

“If the milestone comes along, it comes along. We’ll celebrate then,” Smith said.

Smith already has played the most games in the NRL (387) with most wins (275) and goals (1117).

BRILLIANT BULLDOGS

Canterbury ran Melbourne around — sideline to sideline — and the tactic working beautifully. The Dogs had numbers in motion and ran with purpose. Their roster may not match Melbourne’s on paper but they gave it a red-hot crack on the field and almost became the first — and most unlikely — team to win four consecutive games against the Storm at AAMI Park.

The Bulldogs have endured a tough start to the season but have a lot ot be proud of despite their loss to the Storm. Picture: Getty Images

“They are moving us around, they using the width of the field,” Smith told Nine at halftime.

Bulldogs coach Dean Pay spent time coaching under Craig Bellamy at Melbourne. He knew what he was doing. His side led 12-0.

Canterbury battled hard with prop Dylan Napa hobbling off after 16 minutes with an ankle injury.

Bulldogs second-rower Corey Harawira-Naera left the field in the 32nd minute with concussion, Canterbury down to 15 men. Harawira-Naera did return.

STORM MAGIC

Despite the scare, Melbourne remain the only side unbeaten after four rounds.

The Storm have now won the opening four games seven times — 2019, 2017, 2013, 2012, 2010, 2007 and 1998.

Melbourne was also the beneficiary of a penalty try to Will Chambers, who was about to score from short Munster kick when tackled off the ball by Reimis Smith.

Melbourne played without Origin winger Josh Addo-Carr, whose grandfather is ill.

Storm winger Suliasi Vunivalu could be in trouble for an awkward leg twist on Bulldogs fullback Nick Meany in the first half.

LOOKIN’ GOOD LEWIS

Dogs halfback Lachlan Lewis wandered onto the playing field for 20 minutes pre-game without wearing a shirt, sunning his torso.

“He doesn’t lack confidence,” said Andrew Johns.

Lewis set up Canterbury’s first try with a lovely pass and his defence all game was strong and admirable.

He did though kick out on the full twice — his only black mark yesterday. His halves partner, Jack Cogger, replacing the injured Kieran Foran, was also impressive.

Originally published as Brave Bulldogs put up a fight but fall to Storm in Melbourne 18-16