Match Details
Match Date	7th Aug, 2015
Opponent	Brisbane
Result	Win 18-16
Coach	Des Hasler
Captain	James Graham
Venue	Brisbane (Suncorp Stadium)
Crowd	34,082
Referee	Ben Cummins Gavin Morris

Wayne Bennett says he saw last week’s loss against Manly coming, but it’s doubtful he would have predicted this result.

Canterbury’s 18-16 victory was Brisbane’s first home defeat since round one and a crucial win for the Dogs, keeping them in the top eight. The Broncos played frenetic football to try to grind down the Bulldogs’ monstrous forward pack and it looked like the master coach’s plan was coming together, as late starter Corey Oates scored in the sixth minute off an Anthony Milford cut-out pass.

Seventeen minutes later Oates was again the beneficiary of a pinpoint accurate cut-out pass, this time from fullback Darius Boyd, as the Broncos stretched their lead and took advantage of poor discipline from the Bulldogs.

But it was Canterbury who ultimately beat the Broncos at their own game, matching the Broncos’ pace despite far outsizing them, though big man Sam Kasiano was at his bruising best as well.

Brisbane’s usually reliable defence missed 25 tackles to the Bulldogs’ 11, though the home side was under more pressure than it has felt for much of the season.

A five-minute attacking barrage, including two Broncos goal-line drop outs, was the trigger for the Bulldogs’ dominance in the second half, after a Sam Perrett try in the 42nd minute gave the visitors their first lead of the game.

Another try came from Josh Morris in the 63rd off an electric play the ball and the Broncos were left surprisingly with a deficit to chase. Brisbane lock Corey Parker took fate into his own hands in the 70th minute, crashing over under the posts and converting his own try, making him the club’s most prolific scorer – but it was little consolation as they scrambled to try to regain the lead.

The Morris twins wreaked havoc for the visitors, dangerous in attack early but it was Aiden Tolman who got the opener for the Bulldogs after a swift play the ball from Michael Lichaa.

Brisbane halfback Ben Hunt’s improved kicking game was on display in the 33rd minute, with a chip kick to Jordan Kahu who nearly broke through, throwing an infield pass to Milford who was pushed into touch. The only sour note for the Bulldogs was an injury to Lichaa, who hobbled off the field in the 61st minute with a suspected knee injury.

For Brisbane, the negatives kept coming with captain Justin Hodges in doubt for their clash with the Dragons next weekend after a swinging arm that collected Brett Morris after he made a break down the left-hand side in the 28th minute.

The veteran centre has 56 carry over points putting him in danger of missing if he is charged, even if he takes an early plea.

Source: The Sydney Morning Herald

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