NRL round 14: Luke Brooks slots field goal to secure thrilling victory over Canterbury Bulldogs

The Wests Tigers were staring down the barrel of a fourth consecutive loss, and it all came down to a field goal just before the final siren.

Tigers Luke Brooks kicks the winning field goal.

The Wests Tigers have clinched a nailbiting 29-28 victory over the Canterbury Bulldogs, with a classy field goal securing the win.

Tigers star Luke Brooks provided the defining moment of the encounter, booting the ball between the posts from more than 30 metres out in the 78th minute to take the one-point lead.

Sitting in bottom spot on the NRL ladder, Canterbury were the underdogs leading into the round 14 fixture, and the Tigers showed precisely why, scoring four times in the first half and racing to an early 16-point lead.

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The Bulldogs were vulnerable in defence, allowing several tackle busts and a couple of soft tries.

Diabolical defending. #NRLTigersBulldogs

— Tim Barrow (@TheBarrow) August 16, 2020

NRL LIVE SCORES: Round 14 match centres

However, Canterbury struck back twice before the halftime break, scoring twice to keep themselves in the contest.

Each club mustered another try in the second half before the match descended into a drop-kicking contest for the final ten minutes.

Unfortunately for the Bulldogs, both of their shots at goal sailed to the right, and Brooks delivered the matchwinning field goal with his second attempt.

“Look how hard he kicked that one — right down the middle,” Penrith Panthers great Greg Alexander cried on Fox League.

Tigers veteran Benji Marshall proved his worth once again, setting up two tries and managing a linebreak assist for the hosts.

“Coming off three losses, we needed to do anything to get the win. It was good to see a lot of Tigers fans here tonight,” Brooks told ABC Grandstand after the match.

“This week our team just wanted to go out there and have some fun, and it helps to get a win.

“I thought (Marshall) was outstanding in the first-half. He created pretty much all our tries with slick hands, so it was good to see him play at his best.”

The Wests Tigers end round 14 in ninth spot on the NRL ladder.

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Second rower Luke Garner snared a double for the Tigers, while winger David Nofoaluma achieved a match-high 257 run metres.

After registering their 12th loss of the season, Canterbury remain 16th on the ladder, while Tigers fans will be frustrated to discover their club finish the round in ninth spot.

Next weekend, the Bulldogs take on the New Zealand Warriors in Sydney while the Tigers will face the Sydney Roosters at Leichhardt Oval.