MATT Burton’s field goal in golden point was the icing on the cake as Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs secured their best start to the season since 2016 with their 15-14 comeback win against the North Queensland Cowboys at Accor Stadium on Sunday night.
A 79th minute try to Josh Addo-Carr sent the game into golden point before Burton stepped up to slot home the match-winner 30 metres out.
The result delivered the Bulldogs their third win under coach Cameron Ciraldo and under courageous circumstances after a heavy injury toll throughout the evening.
Earlier, the Cowboys took a two-point lead into half-time before extending it to eight via a penalty after Jayden Okunbor was sin-binned.
Canterbury had enjoyed a weight of possession to get themselves on the board before trailing but then really lifted in the second half to chase down the Cowboys.
A thrilled Ciraldo praised the closeness of the group after their golden efforts.
“”When things go against them they just hang together and tough it out,” he said.
“It’s probably hard to put into words, I’ve been proud of them every week but tonight and the adversity and how they just hung in there. They’re just so gritty and it wasn’t easy tonight. It wasn’t perfect but we played tough.”
The Bulldogs next do battle with the Bunnies on Good Friday from 4pm at Accor Stadium.
Other results: The Knock On Effect Cup, Bulldogs d Jets, 16-6; the Jersey Flegg Cup, Sharks d Bulldogs, 15-14; UNE Harold Matthews Cup, Panthers d Bulldogs, 52-6; UNE SG Ball Cup, Panthers d Bulldogs, 42-10; Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership, Bulldogs d Wenty Magpies, 34-10; and Harvey Norman Tarsha Gale Cup, Bulldogs d Eels, 36-0.
Meet the Bulldogs this Saturday, April 8, at the Twin Willows Hotel at Bass Hill, along with ‘players from the 80s’, to help raise awareness of ovarian cancer and funds to fight the deadly disease. The fun starts at noon (meet the players 2-4pm), and includes live music, barbecue, lots of food and refreshments, face painting, football passing competition, Bulldogs jersey giveaway and much more.
