Bulldogs Turn Attention To Semi-Final After Brave Effort

The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs have suffered a 26-18 loss to the Melbourne Storm – but their season is still alive with a Home Semi-Final booked in for next week.

Cameron Ciraldo’s men fought bravely to the end and while there were some bumps and bruises picked up along the way, the side will turn their attention to next week.

After a high-energy start the Dogs suffered a setback in the opening two minutes when star back-rower Viliame Kikau was forced from the field for a head injury assessment.

Melbourne sniffed an opportunity after Kikau left the field and struck down that side of the field with Eli Katoa scoring first points of the game. Nick Meaney converted to take the Storm out to an early 6-0 lead.

Kikau returned from his HIA, but then copped another scare when Captain Stephen Crichton fell awkwardly in a tackle and looked to pick up a leg injury. Crichton bravely played on but was eventually forced from the field.

With Crichton off, Enari Tuala swapped to right centre, Matt Burton moved to left centre and Toby Sexton was injected into the game at five-eighth for what was his first NRL appearance since Round 19.

And didn’t Sexton make his presence known with the 24-year-old scoring off his first touch after Kikau got a smart flick pass away. Burton added the extras to lock scores up 6-all.

The Storm took a two-point lead thanks to a penalty goal, but the Dogs hit back with a try in the corner to Jacob Kiraz – who was in his first game back from an ankle injury. Burton nailed the sideline conversion to take a 12-8 lead.

However the Storm responded almost immediately. Jonah Pezet kicked a 40/20 and his side capitalised off the prime field position with Ativalu Lisati crashing over.  With Meaney’s conversion successful, the Storm went into half time with a 14-12 lead.

The game entered a real grind after the break with some thrilling end-to-end footy for the first 20 minutes of the second half – and then the Dogs struck with Burton charging over for a crucial try to put his side in front.

But the moment was soured when Enari Tuala was assisted from the field after suffering a lower leg injury. That forced yet another reshuffle with Jacob Preston moving into the centres.

After back-to-back set restarts the Storm took a 20-18 lead with 15 minutes left on the clock. Stefano Utoikamanu got an offload away to Harry Grant, who passed to tryscorer Tyran Wishart.

The Storm sealed the result in 76th minute when Will Warbrick intercepted a pass and ran 80 metres to score.