The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs were brave in defeat to the Melbourne Storm, going down 20-14 at a packed-out AAMI Park.
It was an exciting start for the boys in Blue and White with a couple of big moments setting the tone early for what ended up being a thrilling clash.
Marcelo Montoya made his presence known early in his return from injury when his pressure forced a Storm error before captain Stephen Crichton then found space down the edge off the scrum.
Despite the energetic start from the Dogs, it was the Storm who got on the board first with a last ditch defensive effort from workhorse fullback Connor Tracey not enough to stop try-scorer Eli Katoa.
The Storm backed it up nine minutes later with Ryan Papenhuyzen scoring off a show-and-go. Nick Meaney converted the try to extend the lead to 12-0.
The Bulldogs needed to be first to score in the second half and did exactly that with Bailey Hayward charging over from dummy-half. Crichton converted to take the score to 12-6.
Melbourne were on the back-foot after losing two players in the space of a minute when Tui Kamikamica suffered a head knock and Harry Grant was sin-binned for a shoulder charge.
The Dogs tried to capitalise on the one-man advantage – and looked to do so – only for a Jacob Kiraz try to be rubbed out due to a knock-on.
Soon after, Melbourne found space down the right edge and came dangerously close only for a brilliant try-saver from Harry Hayes to stop Meaney in his tracks. But that hard work came undone when the Storm scored on the next tackle through Xavier Coates.
The Dogs responded six minutes later with Viliame Kikau not only playing a hand in the lead-up but also finishing it off to swing the momentum.
Hayes came up with a 50-metre run of a lifetime after Kurt Mann put him into a hole with a peach of a pass but had the ball knocked out of his hands as he dived over the try-line.
But the Bulldogs finally got over for a well-deserved try when Crichton, Connor Tracey and Jacob Kiraz combined. Crichton’s conversion hit the upright, leaving the score 20-14.
Matt Burton nailed a 40/20 late in the game but it wasn’t enough to inspire his teammates to a win.
Melbourne Storm 20 (Katoa, Papenhuyzen, Coates tries; Meaney 4/4 goals) def Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 14 (Hayward, Kikau, Kiraz tries; Crichton 1/3 goals)
