Burton Boots Bulldogs to Thrilling Comeback

Bulldog no.873 Luke Smith made his first-grade debut, punching out a solid first outing, but it was Burton's boot that gave the Roosters nightmares throughout, forcing multiple errors as the side clawed their way to a well-deserved victory. 

The Bulldogs also maintained their undefeated record at Accor Stadium in 2025 in front of a passionate crowd of 30,166 that erupted that was vocal throughout. 

It was the best start possible for the Blue and Whites, donning their 1935 Commemorative Jersey - as the first tackle of the match led to a Roosters error. 

However, it was their opponents who crossed first in the corner through Mark Nawaqanitawase five minutes into the contest.

The Bulldogs then lost Daniel Suluka-Fifita to a HIA from the ensuing kick-off, and while the momentum looked to have swung around as Burton put boot to ball, his 40/20 attempt was unsuccessful. 

Connor Tracey then shut down a Roosters raid with a textbook cover tackle on Daniel Tupou that legendary halfback Steve Mortimer would be proud of, but it was a head-high tackle moments later that allowed the visitors extend their lead to eight.

Both sides looked to make a big play heading into the latter stages of the first half, and Canterbury-Bankstown were saved from a further deficit with Roosters centre Robert Toia losing possession over the line. 

With just over ten minutes remaining before the break, Stephen Crichton looked to inspire his side, chasing down a runaway Sandon Smith. 

Scrambling defence stopped the Roosters from adding further points momentarily, before a dubious penalty overturned an error, and Lindsay Collins crashed over by the posts.

The Bulldogs had one last opportunity to score before the half-time siren, but a looping pass towards Jacob Kiraz went to ground, leaving the side with a 14-nil deficit to climb. 

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Looking to make their mark early, Marcelo Montoya cleverly shut down an overlap with an intercept, before his fellow winger Kiraz broke through the middle of the field to give his side momentum. 

It might have taken 50 minutes, but a burst from Bailey Hayward sent Viliame Kikau careening for the try-line to score the side's first points. With Matt Burton's conversion, the deficit closed to eight with half an hour remaining.

Debutant Luke Smith made his way onto the field, taking an immediate hit up and putting himself straight into the contest in a great sign of confidence.

Another trademark 'Burto Bomb' forced an error inside the Roosters' half, however Montoya was unable to finish off a short-side raid, taken into touch just before the line. 

But the stands went into ruptures almost immediately after halfback Toby Sexton picked up a loose pass to streak 30 metres to the try line, bringing the difference to two points heading into the final 20 minutes with Burton's second conversion.

With 90 years of tenacity and triumph behind them, the men from Belmore rallied with their parochial crowd behind them, with yet another towering kick from their five-eighth producing an error.

Crabbing his way infield, centre Bronson Xerri snuck through the parting defence, reaching over to put the Bulldogs in front for the very first time in the contest. Burton's third conversion of the night saw the scoreline now at 18-14 in favour of Canterbury-Bankstown. 

However, a freakish bounce of the ball saw the Roosters strike in the corner, with the sideline conversion seeing the lead change once again, 20-18 with ten minutes remaining.

Just as they looked to strike again, the defence converged to force an error at the line, and again it was a Burton kick leading to a Roosters drop ball - before the pivot forced a line drop out with a deft grubber.

Time was of the essence and it was the mercurial half stepping up, striding through and spinning around to score under the posts, giving the Bulldogs the lead once more and no doubt putting a smile on the face of the great Terry Lamb. 

Just as the Roosters looked to level again, a wholehearted effort on the line finished with Sexton diving on a grubber kick with just minutes remaining, and the Bulldogs survived once last raid with a thrilling finish and a 24-20 victory to boot. 

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 24 (Viliame Kikau, Toby Sexton, Bronson Xerri, Matt Burton tries; Matt Burton 4 goals) def Sydney Roosters 20 (Mark Nawaqanitawase 2, Lindsay Collins tries; Sandon Smith 3 goals; Sandon Smith penalty goal)