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Maybe this is as good as it gets Bulldogs fans. For so long it has been expected that the Bulldogs would find another gear. But maybe, just maybe their fifth spot on the ladder was a fair reflection of their season.
Or perhaps not enough credit is being given to St George Illawarra? Dragons fans, you did not deserve this. For all the grit and effort the heartbreak was unfair. You have come a long way and produced better football than ever anticipated.
Canterbury would have been licking their lips when they were drawn the Dragons to begin their finals quest. Instead they will now be left with severe doubts surrounding their premiership credentials after their get out of jail extra time win.
The season of last years grand finalists is now at breaking point as they face minor premiers the Roosters at Allianz Stadium on Friday night. Bulldogs coach Des Hasler loves playing with the underdog tag, but you would suspect even he would have wanted to see more against a Dragons side who many thought would just be making up the numbers.
Canterbury should have won and won well. They dominated the opening exchanges but failed to capitalise on their dominance. It was only a solo effort from Brett Morris – who still had a contract at the Dragons for 2015 – which separated the teams at half-time.
The last time the Dragons and Bulldogs met Trent Hodkinson was relegated to the interchange bench when he was replaced with the game on the line. What the Bulldogs would have done to have him out there on Saturday night.
Their kicking game was poor and they looked lost at times in good ball sets. The areas which Hodkinson excels. He would have closed out the game for them. After an irresistible middle part of the year, Moses Mbye has failed to recapture what skipper James Graham described as "supernova" moments of brilliance. Mbye's missed goal would have most probably been thrown over by Hodkinson.
Halves partner Josh Reynolds - although he kicked the match winning field goal - has not been able to build any momentum in his stop-start year.
The Bulldogs will fancy themselves against the Roosters in what will be typical a 'backs to the wall' challenge which the Bulldogs have built their foundations on. But they will need to replicate Melbourne's blueprint of controlling the ruck and stifling the Roosters attack by dominating their big men, which the Bulldogs failed to do against a less flashy St George Illawarra forward pack.
While the Roosters will welcome back their chief organiser in Mitchell Pearce, Hodkinson has played his last game for the club because of a broken thumb.
The 11-10 victory against St George Illawarra was not all bad. Their desperation in defence was evident. They scrambled well and worked hard from the inside. All traits which you can build finals football on.
Canterbury withstood a mountain of attack in the second half. The Bulldogs troublesome right edge again leaked their only try.
The Dragons were brave, in what was their first finals appearance since Wayne Bennett's departure in 2011.
Gareth Widdop played on despite being hampered by a severe cork and had to do so without Benji Marshall for the bulk of the second half. Joel Thompson played as a mere passenger, and should not have taken to the field for his 10 minute cameo before re-injuring his hamstring.
Coach Paul McGregor should walk away with more than just a finals appearance in his first season, he should be the coach of the year.
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...-illawarra-20150912-gjl4ak.html#ixzz3lWbP3j00
