It's official - the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs have qualified for the 2026 Lisa Fiaola Cup Grand Final!
Following a thrilling victory over arch-rivals Parramatta, the Bulldogs will now face the Central Coast Roosters at 10:00am this Saturday, May 2 at CommBank Stadium for the chance to claim the Lisa Fiaola Cup!
Lisa Fiaola Cup: Bulldogs 14 def Eels 12
By Claire Stegbauer, NSWRL.com.au
The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs snatched a dramatic 14-12 victory over Parramatta Eels with a clutch penalty goal on full-time sealing their place in the Grand Final at Leichhardt Oval.
In a tense, low-scoring finals battle, both sides traded momentum throughout, but it was the Bulldogs who held their nerve when it mattered most.
They struck first through Jaida Taoai in the opening minutes, capitalising on early field position to take a 6-0 lead after Meleane Hala’s conversion. The Eels found their breakthrough late in the first half through Georgia Wansey, shifting down the short side to bring her side within two points.
Match: Eels v Bulldogs
Finals Week 3 -
home Team
Eels
away Team
Bulldogs
Venue: Leichhardt Oval, Sydney
Momentum swung further towards the Eels in the 24th minute when Bulldogs forward Suraya Kingi was sent to the sin bin. The Eels built pressure and eventually levelled the scores through a Rylee Cash penalty goal, making it 6-6 heading into the break.
The Bulldogs responded first in the second half through Talita Haumono off a powerful carry, helping the Dogs edge back in front 12-6.
With just under 10 minutes remaining the Eels struck again through Hine Rikiti, splitting the defence and crossing on the right edge. Rylee Cash added the extras to lock things up at 12-12 and set up a grandstand finish.
For the final minutes the contest became a tense arm-wrestle, with both sides fighting for field position. The decisive moment came on full-time when the Bulldogs were awarded a penalty 15 metres in from the left touchline.
With the pressure at its peak Meleane Hala stepped up and delivered, slotting the penalty goal after the siren to break the deadlock and seal a thrilling 14-12 victory.
Head Coach Vanessa Foliaki was thrilled with the victory.
This game was everything and more - we knew we had to show up defensively to give ourselves a chance and we did exactly that," Foliaki said.
I'm so proud of these girls. No one gave us a shot, but we backed ourselves and I believed we could get it done.
"We know a Grand Final comes down to who wants it more. The Roosters were dominant against the Knights on the weekend, so we know what's coming.
"For us, it's about being ready for the battle - valuing possession, completing our sets and turning up for each other in every moment."
