Captain Crichton Boots Bulldogs to Victory in Vegas

Donning their exclusive Las Vegas Jerseys featuring their names, Cameron Ciraldo's men extended their winning streak against the Dragons to six, with Crichton setting up a try, kicking three goals as well as the winning field goal.  

While it was St George Illawarra who took an early lead with a penalty goal, it was the Bulldogs who crossed the try-line first, with Lachlan Galvin putting Jacob Preston through with a beautifully timed pass. 

But the scoreline swung again as a Damien Cook threaded through a grubber for Emre Guler to pounce, with the Dragons taking a 8-6 lead after fifteen thrilling opening minutes.

A penalty for holding on Galvin saw Crichton level the scores after 25 minutes played. 

Multiple discretions saw Canterbury attacking at the line once again, however Preston was unable to hold the ball on his next visit to the end zone as both sides continued to blow out the cobwebs of the off-season. 

St George's ill-discipline with ball-in-hand handed further opportunities, with Crichton opting to bring his side back in the lead via another penalty goal, up 10-8 at the break. 

The grind continued in the second half with both sides unwilling to take a backwards step as an error from Moses Suli in the Dragons' half gifted the Blue and White the perfect chance to extend their lead. 

And extend they did, with Crichton putting Jacob Kiraz over for his first try of the season after powering through opposite Valentine Holmes, as the Bulldogs took a six-point lead with half an hour remaining. 

The Dragons struck back following a ricocheted charge down, with debutant Setu Tu crossing in the corner - the wayward conversion leaving the Bulldogs with a two-point lead heading into the final quarter.  

Both sides produced big moments with the match on the line; Connor Tracey took a wayward kick to steam downfield, before the Dragons shut down the Bulldogs at the try line.

And with just over six minutes left on the clock, it was all square at 14-apiece as a penalty for a player being out of play saw the Dragons kick for two, resulting in the first Golden Point match in Las Vegas. 

The drama continued as both sides charged down field goal attempts, Bailey Hayward and Jaeman Salmon shut down Dragons' no.7 Daniel Atkinson with the ball and Holmes' last-ditch attempt swayed left. 

Another attempt from Atkinson in the second period was thwarted by Tracey, who earned his side a seven-tackle set with clever positioning before Xerri drew a penalty. 

Cometh the hour and cometh the man, it was Crichton who kicked the winning field goal in front of the posts with two seconds remaining to give his side a famous 15-14 victory.

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 15 (Jacob Preston, Jacob Kiraz tries; Stephen Crichton goal; Stephen Crichton 2 penalty goals; Stephen Crichton field goal) def St George Illawarra Dragons 14 (Emre Ruler try; Valentine Holmes, Setu Tu tries; Valentine Holmes, Kyle Flanagan penalty goals)