Dogs unleash skills again to cook bunnies
Canterbury’s giant-killing late-season run has put the Rabbitohs’ top-four hopes on the rocks, while a likely season-ending injury for Braidon Burns and another Sam Burgess blow rounded out a horror night for Souths.
Throughout a tense first half Canterbury well and truly held it, making most of the running without reward.
Only penalty goals traded by Adam Reynolds and Nick Meaney troubled the scorers before half-time.
It was Meaney who looked most likely down the Bulldogs’ left edge, Dane Gagai once shunting him into touch as the tryline loomed and again batting a ball dead with the blue-and-white flyer in hot pursuit.
Another Reynolds penalty goal inched the Rabbitohs ahead after the break, but golden boy Kieran Foran ensured their advantage lasted all of 60 seconds.
His feathered grubber into the in-goal gave Harawira-Naerea first tryscorer honours in the 47th minute.
Reynolds levelled the scores again soon after with his third penalty goal of the night.
Once more, though, it was Foran putting it on a platter in retaliation, piloting Harawira-Naerea through from short range for a 12-6 lead.
Canterbury looked increasingly likely as the game wore on, Raymond Faitala-Mariner and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak finding space through the middle as Lachlan Lewis and Foran guided them around the paddock until it was all over.
For Canterbury, the chance to rattle another top-eight team’s cage, was no doubt the sweetest yet especially if they can continue and upset old foes Parramatta on Thursday.
Pay said: “Wish we could start over again but that’s the journey we’re on. We’re really focused now and it’s really pleasing.”
