A hat-trick for winger Tyrone Phillips helped Canterbury Bulldogs snap their two-month long win-loss streak with a comfortable 12 point win over a hapless Sydney Roosters.Â
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Bulldogs deflate Roosters finals hopes
The Canterbury Bulldogs cruise to a 32-20 win over the Sydney Roosters leaving the Eastern suburbs club only a slight chance of making the finals.
The 32-12Â win ensures the Bulldogs will finish the round no lower than sixth with a hard-fought yet defensive performance against an error-riddled and ill-disciplined outfit.
It was the first time since round two that the Bulldogs clinched back-to-back victories, although their win came at a price with Tim Browne and Sam Kasiano forced off with concussion.Â
A forward pack that is set to be hit by Origin selection could be further depleted by those injuries for Canterbury's clash against Canberra Raiders next week.Â
One of those likely to miss that match, Josh Jackson, showed why he's in the frame for Laurie Daley's NSW side. Early on, he showed his hand in attack to provide the Bulldogs' first points. A cut-out pass for Phillips gave the quicker winger a chance to score in the corner and open the Bulldogs' onslaught.Â
The Roosters were brave in the absence of their young fullback, Latrell Mitchell, who was controversially sin-binned - and that's what would have made the second try they conceded so tough to swallow.
As Mitchell returned, the Bulldogs finally capitalised on a numerical overlap, allowing Phillips to score his second in the corner.
Still reeling from that sucker-punch, the Roosters were dealt another blow when Josh Reynolds produced a moment of magic to make Daley reconsider his Origin selection. The Bulldogs five-eighth dashed almost half the field to score a brilliant solo try.Â
The Roosters clawed their way back into the contest on the stroke of half time, first through Daniel Tupou, and then catching the Bulldogs napping from a quick restart.
With 20 seconds remaining of the half, Boyd Cordner burst through the line to find Mitchell in support. He finished off a try a that on the balance of play seemed unjust for Canterbury.Â
Immediately after the restart, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves was put on report for dangerous conduct following a late shot on Moses Mbye that gave Holland a chance to extend their lead. That quickly became 26-10 when Curtis Rona embarked on a solo effort, scoring with a short kick to himself.
Two contentious decisions from the bunker denied the Roosters a chance to get themselves back into the contest, with minor infringements relieving pressure on the Dogs. Mitchell finally got his second try - befitting of his performance, even if it proved to be too little too late.Â
Phillips sealed his hat-trick and the two points for Canterbury in the dying minutes with a trademark finish in the corner. Young half Ryan Matterson restored some pride for the Roosters with a late consolation and perhaps an even later response to criticism of his selection ahead of Jackson Hastings.Â
Canterbury's David Klemmer showed why he's all-but certain to be named in Monday's NSW Origin squad making more than 200-metres, though it was the performance of Josh Morris that Des Hasler and James Graham believe must ensure he is included.Â
"I think he made a very, very, very strong claim today," Hasler said. "For me, I think Origin is built on defence. He's an experienced campaigner and... if he's not the top, then he's in the top two defensive centres in the game."
With Queensland widely predicted to continue their reign, Graham believes Morris presents NSW's best hope in nullifying the Maroons' attacking strengths.
"We all know what's the task he'll probably be facing in the guy opposite him for Queensland and he's done that unbelievably well for the last two or three years now. If you want to stop Greg Inglis, I think Morris is your man," Graham said.Â
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