NewsBite

Advertisement

Flanagan fumes after Galvin delivers match-winner for Bulldogs

Loading

Key posts

Pinned post from

Galvin sets up match-winning try in first game as Bulldogs No. 7

By Christian Nicolussi

BULLDOGS 20, DRAGONS 18

Frustrated St George Illawarra coach Shane Flanagan fears two crucial calls cost his side a win against Canterbury – and may have blown their chances of playing finals football.

A brilliant Lachie Galvin cutout pass for rookie winger Jethro Rinakama in the 79th minute paved the way for the Bulldogs to snatch the 20-18 victory at Accor Stadium on Saturday night.

The victory kept the club’s top-two hopes alive, while a loss would have heaped pressure on them to finish the year in the top four.

The Dragons ran harder and wanted the win more in the second half. Flanagan, who had already watched his side lose three games by a point – and a further three matches by six points or less – was fuming about calls in the 75th and 78th minutes.

Luciano Leilua was penalised for getting in the way of a Jacob Kiraz play-the-ball, then referee Adam Gee failed to rule Viliame Kikau had knocked on when tackled by Tyrell Sloan, instead awarding the Dogs a repeat set.

“I was really proud of the effort they put in, and the way they played, but the game was taken away from us from what I believe were wrong decisions,” Flanagan said.

“The Luciano Leilua decision was outrageous. There were five minutes and 30 seconds to go, they [Canterbury] were on their 30m or 40m line, the player [Kiraz] never got to his feet … he has to get to his feet before he plants the ball. It’s been the rule all year, and it costs us today.

“We go down field from the back of that, Kikau passes the ball, it hits Sloan and goes forward. In the collision, that’s a knock-on. In 100 years [of rugby league], that’s a knock on. That was at the 78th minute mark.

“They’re a good side the Bulldogs, they compete hard, but there were some decisions tonight that cost us two competition points, and could cost us an opportunity to play semi-finals.”

Lachlan Galvin celebrates the Bulldogs win with teammates.

Lachlan Galvin celebrates the Bulldogs win with teammates.Credit: Getty Images

Flanagan said he would take his complaints to the NRL, but the damage was done.

“In the end, we don’t get the two competition points, we can’t come back and rectify it,” he said.

“The Luciano Leilua one is a penalty on the field. The bunker took it away [from us]. Seriously, that one riles me more than anything because you have to get to your feet to play the ball.

“Can you imagine if this was a semi-final? Hollllyyy. It would be drama. But it’s the Dragons, we’re fighting really hard to stay in touch [with the eight] … a group of 17 men went as hard as they could, and it got taken away from them.”

Galvin started his first game in the No.7 jersey, and his ability to spot Sloan race out of the line, then loop the ball into the chest of Rinakama was top shelf.

Tyrell Sloan is tackled by the Bulldogs.

Tyrell Sloan is tackled by the Bulldogs.Credit: Getty Images

Coach Cameron Ciraldo said of the pass: “It’s one of the bravest passes I’ve seen. To trust his instincts and himself to make that play, it shows everyone what we’ve been seeing at training the past six weeks. I’m really happy for him; I’m so stoked he played what he saw.”

What a moment for Galvin in just his fifth game in the blue and white. What a moment for Rinakama in just his second NRL game.

Earlier in the night, Kiraz was placed on report for a lifting tackle on Corey Allan, and Max King cited for a crusher tackle on Gutherson. Back-rower Sitili Tupouniua failed to finish the night because of a hamstring injury.

Latest posts

Watch: the match-winning moment from the Bulldogs

The stats after 80 minutes

Galvin masterclass puts Bulldogs ahead in final minute

Lachlan Galvin comes up with a massive play to put the Bulldogs ahead with two minutes left on the clock.

The Bulldogs swing back round to the left, and the young halfback throw the cut-out pass to Jethro Rinakama on the left edge to score.

Huge play from Galvin, impressive composure from all involved, and Canterbury looked to have sealed this game at the death.

Stephen Crichton can’t nail the conversion which means it’s a two point game.

Is a two-point field goal on the cards for the Dragons?

Bulldogs 20, Dragons 18 with 14 seconds to go

Advertisement

Tupouniua ruled out with hamstring injury

Bad news for the Bulldogs.

Sitilli Tupouniua – who has been sidelined for three months through suspension and injury – has just been ruled out of the match with a hamstring injury.

Terrible luck for the Bulldogs enforcer.

Dragons 18, Bulldogs 16 with six minutes to go

Salmon error helps Dragons survive

There are 10 minutes left in the match and the Dragons lead by two.

This is extremely close, and it’s an admirable effort from the Red V who have had terrible luck with injury this year and have lost Sione Finau to a dislocated shoulder in this match.

Bulldogs have a penalty to help them out of their own end, but Jaemon Salmon loses the ball in the play-the-ball.

Can the Red V bring it home from here.

Dragons 18, Bulldogs 16 with nine minutes to go

Nicolussi’s view: you’d still back Canterbury to bring this home

Advertisement

Dragons hold narrow lead after Kikau denied try

Viliame Kikau is denied his second try of the night after referee Adam Gee rules a knock-on earlier in the play.

On review, Atkins is right. As Connor Tracey competes for the high ball, he knocks it on into Clint Gutherson.

The Dragons hold on to their narrow lead.

Dragons 18, Bulldogs 16 with 18 minutes to go

Finau scores to put Dragons in front

Two sets, two tries and the Dragons take the lead.

A fantastic attacking set for the Red V, who spread the ball left and manage to get the numbers on the outside before the cut-out pass from Clint Gutherson to Sione Finau on the left edge gets the points.

Kyle Flanagan nails the conversion from the left touch line and the Dragons take the lead.

Troubling signs for Finau though, with the Dragons winger struggling with a shoulder injury following that try.

Dragons 18, Bulldogs 16 with 24 minutes to go

Dragons narrow the gap with try for Suli

The Dragons strike first after half-time, with a charging try for Moses Suli.

Suli managed to shake off Jethro Rinakama, Connor Tracey and Viliame Kikau to score and bring his team within one try of the Bulldogs.

Kyle Flanagan can’t convert and the difference is four.

Bulldogs 16, Dragons 12 with 27 minutes to go

Most Viewed in Sport

Loading

Original URL: https://www.theage.com.au/link/follow-20170101-p5mg56