Dragons fail to run down front-running Dogs

CANTERBURY have survived a red and white fightback to crash the Dragons' southern homecoming with a 28-20 victory in Wollongong.

Soward, Marketo, Stanley and Morris

DES Hasler refused to be intent on rewriting NRL history last night.

In a concerted and somewhat comedic effort to disguise Canterbury's flourishing campaign, Hasler instead decided to rewrite reality.

With the Bulldogs now in second spot after last night's victory over St George Illawarra in Wollongong, the coach warned that the ladder was an illusion to where they sit in relation to other title hopefuls.

Hasler's routine sounded familiar to the "under the radar" description he applied to Manly's successful premiership campaigns of 2008 and 2011.One can only wonder what he will produce should Canterbury win their fifth straight game in next weekend's Mackay blockbuster against front-runners Melbourne.

"They (Melbourne) are the yardstick and we're probably at the bottom of that yardstick," Hasler said. "We are just trying to hang in there and stay with the big boys. We're just doing our best."

GALLERY: BULLDOGS V DRAGONS

Based on a blistering start that saw them race to an 18-0 lead in even time, Canterbury are every chance of making Hasler the first coach in 15 years to claim back-to-back titles.

Their skilful forwards were again tremendous, with unstoppable 133kg behemoth Sam Kasiano producing four early offloads and featuring in the opening two tries.

See how we covered the game at our match centre.

Boom pivot Josh Reynolds then completed a first-half double right on the siren; his one-on-one steal and dash proving a heart-breaker for Dragons fans desperate to christen the redeveloped WIN Stadium in style.And when NSW Origin hero Josh Morris grabbed his double just four minutes after the teams returned, a forgettable occasion loomed for the red and white faithful.

But after receiving a 7-3 penalty count before half-time, the Saints were suddenly blessed with halos.

Five straight penalties ignited five-eighth Jamie Soward, who laid on three unanswered tries to reel the scoreboard back to 28-20.

Had the left upright not foiled his conversion of Matt Cooper's 64th-minute try, a grandstand finish might have befitted the venue's impressive new structure. But even without wrecking ball Frank Pritchard, Canterbury hung tough and survived.

Pritchard's wobbly exit after a 47th-minute head clash with teammate Kris Keating coincided with his team's unexpected fadeout.

Hasler's explanation of Pritchard's absence was even more bemusing.

"He's got a twisted ankle. He should be fine," said Hasler, without the slightest hint of irony.

Reminded that Pritchard had sustained a brutal knock to his jaw, Hasler replied: "He was just a bit wobbly on the ankle and that's why he couldn't walk straight."

Boom tish.

Strangely, Pritchard was unavailable to speak about his mysterious leg injury afterwards. And even more bizarrely, some Bulldogs officials mentioned that he might also have sustained concussion that could rule him out of the Storm blockbuster.

Reynolds also finished the match hobbling on his left leg.

The saving grace is Canterbury's light Origin contribution, which has only robbed them of Morris to date.

Billy Slater's knee injury could open the way for Ben Barba to make his Maroons debut, but even then the Bulldogs enjoy their second bye before the Brisbane decider.

"It would be (a fairytale), making my debut in the decider," said Barba, who was safe rather than spectacular last night.

"It's pretty nerve-wracking when you think about it, coming up against a really fired up Blues side.

BULLDOGS 28 (J Morris 2 J Reynolds 2 K Inu tries K Inu 4 goals) bt ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA 20 (M Cooper B Morris K Stanley D Vidot tries J Soward 2 goals) at WIN Stadium. Referee: Shayne Hayne, Chris James. Crowd: 16,928.

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