Dolphins heartbreak as Bulldogs win one-point thriller

The Canterbury Bulldogs have secured a rare win as the Dolphins fell just short in a heartbreaking finish to an NRL thriller.

BUNDABERG, AUSTRALIA - JULY 30: The Bulldogs celebrate after winning the round 22 NRL match between Canterbury Bulldogs and Dolphins at Salter Oval on July 30, 2023 in Bundaberg, Australia. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

Slotting the winning goal is what every kicker dreams of but it was heartbreak for Jamayne Isaako in Bundaberg on Sunday.

The Dolphins winger had a kick to win the game with 30 seconds left on the clock but he hooked it wide into a stiff breeze and the Bulldogs hung on 23-22.

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The loss officially ended the finals aspirations of the Dolphins, but the Bulldogs deserved to win the game.

Props Tevita Pangai Jr jr and Harrison Edwards laid a good platform for Canterbury but they bombed a couple of tries on their way to victory.

There was a point in the first half where the Bulldogs had 11 of the 13 sets of six and it became too much for the Dolphins when Braidon Burns ran through some tired defence to score in the 31st minute.

Both teams came up with several many unforced errors. Canterbury’s completion rate was just 68 per cent.

The Bulldogs celebrate after beating the Dolphins in a one-point thriller. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

Matt Burton of the Bulldogs kicks a field during the first half. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

One bit of great skill on show was Isaako’s pick up from low to the ground before he ran down field to open the scoring.

Canterbury started to get on top midway through the first period.

Prized Bulldogs recruit Viliame Kikau had an immediate impact after a long injury lay off when he crashed over to score his first try in blue and white colours.

Matt Burton’s field goal in the 39th minute put the Bulldogs up 11-8 at halftime.

O’SULLIVAN HOOKED

Not many teams win games when their halfback is hooked with half an hour left.

Sean O’Sullivan was taken off by Bennett in the 53rd minute after he threw a forward pass.

His replacement, Anthony Milford, came on and scored a double to almost win his team the match so the interchange worked.

O’Sullivan got back on but only to replace the injured Ewen Aitken.

Dolphins fans will now be wondering where O’Sullivan sits in Bennett’s plans.

KIKAU INFLUENCE

Viliame Kikau’s return from a long injury was welcome not only for Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo, but his teammates.

Kikau scored a try and was solid but his presence no doubt gave those around him confidence.

He only had seven runs but had a few tackle busts and two offloads and a line break.

He will only get better with more game time.