For the second straight week, Matt Burton wins the game for the Buldogs with a golden point field goal. In a wild, wild clash, the Bulldogs defeat the Warriors 13-12.
Burton, with what was his fourth field goal attempt of the game, coolly slotted the match-winning point in the 88th minute to deliver his side the win.
After, it was reported earlier today that Latrell Mitchell is unlikely to play in Origin Game III because of a foot injury, Burton did his Blues hopes no harm with 121 running metres, a try assist and the deciding field goal.
It was a game that had everything.
MATCH CENTRE: Bulldogs v Warriors, scores, stats
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Miracle Mahoney touch denies Wahs win! | 00:40
All within the final 15 minutes of regular time, a Bulldogs try was disallowed after they were ruled offside from a towering Matt Burton bomb, a Warriors debutant’s potential game-winning try was thwarted after he was held up and a Warriors field goal was charged down forcing a repeat set.
The craziness continued in golden point.
The Warriors looked certain to win the game in the final minute of the first half of golden point, but Reed Mahoney got a hand on a Warriors field goal attempt which forced it to miss the uprights to the left.
Earlier in the first golden point period, Viliame Kikau laid out Warriors hooker Freddy Lussick with one of the hits of the season.
Burton had a chance to win the game but his field goal was charged down in the 87th minute. The Bulldogs would recover though and Burton stepped up to the plate to slot the game-winner in the ensuing set.
Burton’s heroics followed on from last week’s match-winning field goal to down Cronulla 15-14.
“That was one of the games of the season,” Corey Parker said on Fox League.
It was a super brave performance from the visitors.
They lost backs Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Marcelo Montoya and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak to injury during the game, forcing 18yo debutant second rower Leka Halasima to play in the centres.
Bulldogs’ tribute to Geoff Robinson | 02:54
Halasima was almost the hero late, racing clear down the right edge towards the line but he was held up. That kept the score at 12.
The biggest moment during regular time though came with three minutes left when Burton missed a field goal despite setting up to kick right in front of the posts
The Bulldogs levelled the scores at 12 in the 55th minute when back rower Viliame Kikau jumped up above the pack to catch at well weighted Toby Sexton chip kick.
The Dogs had a perfect chance to hit the front in the 63rd minute but Sexton dropped the ball with an open try line right in front of him.
After trailing 6-0, the Warriors scored two tries in five minutes in the first half to hit the front, adding a penalty goal to extend the lead to six (12-6) after the halftime buzzer.
Burton set up the game’s first try.
With the Warriors attacking the Dogs’ line, Burton intercepted a Te Maire Martin pass and raced 60 metres before passing it back inside to Bronson Xerri in support, with Xerri finishing the job and scoring.
WHAT WE LEARNED
Burton gives himself every chance in race for vacant NSW centre spot
Burton would have been none the wiser as news of Latrell Mitchell’s foot injury reverberated across rugby league circles during the Bulldogs’ last gasp win.
Unknowingly, Burton was the first of a long list of candidates being assessed to fill Mitchell’s void in New South Wales’ backline for the upcoming State of Origin decider.
Named at 18th man for the Blues in Game One, Burton was overlooked for Michael Maguire’s squad in NSW’s last start series leveller.
A former Dally M Centre of the Year winner, Burton’s two Origins to date were also at centre. The Bulldogs playmaker has also previously featured for Australia in the position.
He will now likely contend with Newcastle’s Bradman Best and returning Sea Eagles livewire Tom Trbojevic for Mitchell’s spot.
Attrition enhances attitude adjustment
Despite the defeat, the Warriors change in mentality continues to be commended, just two rounds removed from conceding 66 points to the lowly Gold Coast Titans.
Despite the loss of their entire back three in Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Marcelo Montoya and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, the bootleg Warriors continued to grate at a Bulldogs defence which to this point had conceded the fewest tries competition-wide this season.
Defensively sound themselves, the Warriors turned away a barrage of Bulldogs attacking plays, only to fall to defeat by a singular point late in extra time.
Seeing such significant adjustments to their mentality, the Warriors’ recent showings are reminiscent to those seen throughout their top four campaign last year. Though wins will need to come soon if they’re to return to finals football in 2024.
One to watch
Leka Halasima. Remember the name.
What he lacked in minutes, he sure made up for in impact.
Accustomed to the front row, Halasima was forced to spend his NRL debut in the centres with injuries forcing several backline reshuffle.
Only a miraculous Reed Mahoney tackle stopped the rookie’s barrelling 40-metre run ending in a likely match-winning try.
Fox League commentator Andrew Voss was quick to compare the Tongan native to a young Sonny-Bill Williams during a performance that looked the start of a promising career.
Halasima finished the game with 99 metres, three tackle busts and a line break.
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Source Agencies
