Kept from unleashing power in clash against Broncos
A lack of punch through the middle of the field and poor game management cost Canterbury the game 28-6, with the expected return of Aiden Tolman (ribs) and Kieran Foran (hamstring) next week set to boost that area of play.
A penalty gave Brisbane a 2-0 lead after a 40-20 by hooker Andrew McCullough, gave the home side possession at Canterbury’s end.
Kotoni Staggs was over minutes later when he wrapped around winger Jamayne Isaako, who had drawn three Bulldogs defenders in before popping a late offload to his right centre.
A one-on-one strip by Adam Elliott on Jamayne Isaako gave the Bulldogs field possession and five-eighth Brandon Wakeham scored his first NRL try with a combination of brute strength and guile.
Staggs was put on report for lifting a knee while in possession in a tackle by Corey Harawira-Naera and minutes later the Bulldogs levelled through Nick Meaney.
A Staggs penalty extended Brisbane’s lead early in the second half before Boyd unleashed a trademark cut-out pass that bypassed two Bulldogs defenders and hit a flying Corey Oates on the chest.
The strength of pocket rocket Staggs stunned Canterbury when he barged over to give Brisbane a 20-6 lead before being awarded a penalty try to seal the deal.
The Bulldogs, however, remain on 12 points and two points clear of the bottom-placed Titans.
Coach Dean Pay said after the match: “I’m really proud of the boys the way they hung in there. The score got a way a little bit in the end … we just couldn’t get our fellows to apply enough pressure.”
