Senior Pathways Wrap Round 22: Cup Draw, Wash Outs Galore

The Bulldogs backed it up soon after with a mountain of pressure paying off. Sexton was again in the thick of it, digging into the line and linking with Kurtis Morrin on the inside, who muscled his way over to extend the lead to 12-4.

But just before the break, the Jets found a response through Mawene Hiroti, who proved too strong close to the line—spinning and crashing through multiple defenders to close the gap to just two at the break.

Newtown came out firing in the second half, with Hiroti grabbing his second try in similar fashion to his first, powering through contact to score. Niwhai Puru slotted the conversion to put the Jets back in front, 16-12, before a penalty goal extended the lead to a converted try.

But an error coming out of their own end opened the door for the Bulldogs, and they didn’t waste it. Straight off the scrum, Cassius Tia exploded through the middle, breaking tackles and carrying defenders with him in a barnstorming 20-metre effort to score. Following the conversion the scores were level.

Despite several attempts from both sides to break the deadlock—including a string of field goal efforts late in the game—neither team could find the winner, and the points were ultimately shared.

Talking Points

• Mawene Hiroti was a handful all afternoon, powering through defenders twice to grab a double and constantly bending the line.
• Toby Sexton was at his creative best for the Bulldogs, steering his team around the park and producing a sharp kicking game in tough conditions.
• Despite the rain and muddy surface, both teams backed themselves with the ball in hand, delivering an entertaining contest for fans.

Key Moment

With the Jets leading 18-12 and enjoying a strong run of possession, a costly error gifted the Bulldogs field position. From the resulting scrum, Cassius Tia produced a stunning solo effort—barging, bumping, and bulldozing his way through to the try line to tie things up and swing momentum back to the home side.

What’s Next?

The Bulldogs face a big challenge next week when they meet the table-topping New Zealand Warriors. Meanwhile, the Jets return home to take on the Penrith Panthers in what promises to be another tough contest.

HNWP: Bulldogs 14 def by Rabbitohs 20

A late try wasn't enough for the Bulldogs' Harvey Norman Women's Premiership side, who fell short by a converted try at Redfern Oval against the South Sydney Rabbitohs, 20-14. 

After trailing 14-4 at the break, with Bridget Hoy touching down in the 25th minute, the Bulldogs clawed their way back through Summer van Gelder with just four points separating the sides.

However, a try to the home side extended the deficit to ten, with a late try to Lahnayah Daniel in the dying stages giving the Bulldogs a glimmer of hope, only for an error in the final seconds preventing them from levelling. 

In Round 6 of the Harvey Norman Women's Premiership, the Bulldogs will host the Illawarra Steelers at Belmore Sports Ground on Sunday afternoon. 

Jersey Flegg Cup: Bulldogs vs Sharks Postponed, Silktails 0 def by Panthers 50

It was a tough return to the Jersey Flegg Cup competition after a competition-wide bye in Round 21, with the Bulldogs' match against the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks postponed due to wet weather. 

It was a tough afternoon in Windsor for the Kaiviti Silktails, who were comprehensively defeated 50-nil to the Penrith Panthers. 

In Round 23, the Bulldogs will turn their attention to the New Zealand Warriors at Belmore Sports Ground, while the Silktails travel to Lidcombe Oval to face the Wests Tigers, both on Saturday afternoon. 

Further updates on the Bulldogs' match against the Sharks will be provided at a later date.

Ron Massey Cup: Bulldogs vs Dirty Reds Postponed

The Bulldogs' Round 18 match against the Glebe Dirty Reds at Hammondville Oval was postponed due to wet weather. 

The match will now be played this Saturday, August 9 at 6:15pm.