The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs have gone down to the four-time premiers, Penrith Panthers 8-6 in a semi-final-like thriller at CommBank Stadium.
With intensity at an all-time high, it was just one penalty goal that separated the two in what was arguably the game of the season.
While Cameron Ciraldo’s men didn’t get the two points, they can hold their heads high after going toe-to-toe with the most dominant team of the last five years.
It wasn’t the start the Bulldogs had hoped for with workhorse prop Daniel Suluka-Fifita suffering a head knock in the very first tackle. Despite passing his HIA, because he was ruled to have shown category one symptoms the 25-year-old was wiped out for the remained of the game.
Matt Burton came close to scoring first points when his show-and-go helped him slip between Izack Tago and Brian To’o. However a try-saving effort from Dylan Edwards forced the Bulldogs five-eighth over the sideline.
The Panthers headed down the other end of the field and came close to scoring too only for Connor Tracey to come up with a brilliant one-on-one tackle on Blaize Talagi to save a sure try.
Penrith eventually did get on the board first though when Edwards kicked a penalty goal in the 27th minute after Viliame Kikau was pinged for a high tackle.
But the Dogs responded with the first try of the match when Toby Sexton, Reed Mahoney and Tracey combined nicely before Jacob Preston finished it off. Captain Stephen Crichton added the extras.
A penalty for a strip in the final 90 seconds of the first half put the Dogs under pressure but Tracey and Crichton came together to come up with yet another try-saving effort on Talagi to ensure their side went into the break with a 6-2 lead.
After another enthralling start to a half, the Panthers got their first try of the match when Nahan Cleary charged down Burton’s kick and scored. Edwards converted the try to edge Penrith out to an 8-6 lead.
The Panthers had a chance to extend their lead by another two when the Dogs were pinged for another strip, however Edwards’ penalty goal attempt hit the uprights.
The Dogs fought hard right through to the last second but couldn’t come up with the matchwinner.
Penrith Panthers 8 (Cleary try; Edwards 2 goals) def Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 6 (Preston try; Crichton goal)
