Five-eight Josh Reynolds came up with two super plays in the Bulldogs 9-8 win over the Sydney Roosters in round 5.
A penalty in the 56th minute gave Roosters possession deep into Bulldogs territory. Roosters spread the ball quickly on the first tackle only for a last-ditch effort from Reynolds forcing Daniel Tupou’s knee to touch the sideline before he grounded the ball.
Bulldogs went close to breaking the deadlock in the 62nd minute after Josh Morris poked a kick through the line. Hodkinson picked up the loose ball and grubbered through for Eastwood but Anthony Minichiello recovered in time.
Roosters camped inside the Bulldogs' 10 metres for back-to-back sets in the 68th minute but the Bulldogs’ defence simply refused to crack. In the midst of all that, Stanley suffered a dislocated shoulder which forced Jackson to centre and Tim Lafai to the wing.
Bulldogs not long after, marched up the field themselves and Reynolds slotted a field goal to make the score 9-8 in the 70th minute.
Roosters winger Tupou was put into open space in the 76th minute, sprinting down the touch line but Maloney fumbled Tupou’s inside pass as the cover defence began to arrive. That was the ball game with Bulldogs holding on for a hard-earned 9-8 victory.
