Tempers flare as Bulldogs edge Eels 12-6 at Bankwest Stadium
Nathan Brown faces a nervous trip to the judiciary for a late shot on Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, as the Eels top four hopes took a hit in a 12-6 loss to a Bulldogs outfit who remarkably have a finals shot.
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Two months ago the Bulldogs looked destined to be fighting it out with Gold Coast for the wooden spoon.
But after one of the best games of the season, the Dogs last night edged out arch rivals Parramatta to score a spine-tingling 12-6 victory and make it four wins on the trot and six from their past eight.
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In a match that had everything including two sin bins and a penalty try, Dean Pay’s comeback kids produced another stunning and courageous performance that Pay labelled the best win of his coaching career.
In front of Sydney’s biggest Thursday night crowd of the season, the Bulldogs got home on the back of a 69th minute penalty try after Mitchell Moses launched at young winger Nick Meaney with a flying boot in a desperate attempt to stop the try.
While Meaney lost possession as he attempted the put down, not even Brad Arthur was questioning the penalty try decision.
“He played at it with his foot so it is probably a penalty try,” Arthur said.
The loss could prove a hammer blow to the Eels’ top four hopes and it could get worse with Nathan Brown facing a possible suspension for an ugly shoulder charge that injured Dallin Watene-Zelezniak.
BROWN IN STRIFE
Pay didn’t mince his words on Thursday night when reminded that Brown had attempted a few similar tackles in the first half.
“He was having a go alright. He was consistent,” Pay said.
But with two games remaining before the finals, the last thing the Eels need is to lose their inspirational forward leader for a silly shot that was always going to end in strife.
With the scores locked at 6-all early in the second half, the game exploded when both teams were left with 12 men after Brown and Reimis Smith were sin binned in the space of two minutes.
Brown shot out of the line and didn’t miss.
Watene-Zelezniak had to leave the field with a shoulder injury although he did return after receiving treatment.
“I didn’t have a real close look at it but I thought his arm was away from his body,” Arthur said.
The incident sparked an all-in melee when Josh Jackson had words with Brown and players came rushing in from everywhere.
Two minutes later Smith found himself in trouble when he lunged his head at Maiko Sivo that cut the big Fijian winger’s face.
Pay was less than impressed, believing Brown was lucky to escape with a sin bin.
“If Reimis got 10 minutes, there is a big difference in it,” Pay said.
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DOGS STAY ALIVE
Pay had every right to be proud.
In their past eight games they have now beaten Parramatta, Cronulla, South Sydney, Penrith, Wests Tigers and Newcastle with their only defeats Brisbane and the Sydney Roosters.
To make the finals from here the Bulldogs would need a minor miracle but it is possible.
On 20 competition points, they would need to win their remaining two games against North Queensland and Brisbane.
They would also need 11 other games to go their way involving other teams fighting for the remaining top eight spots.
“I am so proud of them,” Pay added.
“They done a wonderful job tonight. Parramatta had everything to play for as well.
“We are building something here as a club. We want to keep going with it and keep building with it as much as we can.”
JACKO THE WARRIOR
You’d struggle to find a more inspirational skipper than Bulldogs backrower Josh Jackson.
Jackson and Kieran Foran really led the way in everything and were rewarded for their effort when they combined to lay a try in the final minute before halftime for Will Hopoate.
Jackson only minutes earlier had come up with a crunching shot on Marata Niukore that left the Eels’ interchange forward flat on his back
Then Foran came up with a vintage piece of playmaking when he went deep into the line and threaded a hole for Jackson who in turn threw a long ball out to Hopoate to touchdown.
The onfield officials initially called in a “no try” but the replay showed Hopoate got the ball down cleanly.
Similar to the Moses incident that ultimately decided the result, Gutherson threw his foot out in desperation to try and stop Hopoate from scoring and referee Grant Atkins was adamant Gutherson almost gave up a penalty try for his actions.
“If he doesn’t score it was a penalty try under the posts,” Atkins told Gutherson.
CANTERBURY 12 (W Hopoate N Meaney tries N Meaney 2 goals) bt PARRAMATTA 6 (W Blake try M Moses goal) at Bankwest Stadium. Referee: Grant Atkins, Peter Gough. Crowd: 18,071
Originally published as Tempers flare as Bulldogs edge Eels 12-6 at Bankwest Stadium
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