Up 23-18 with two minutes to play, the Bulldogs leaked a try and had to watch nervously at what would have been the game-winning conversion.
In the end it was the Burton field goal in the final minute of the first half, which had appeared strange at the time, which was the difference and gave Canterbury-Bankstown their seventh win of the year.
Boosted by the return of five frontline players, the Bulldogs overcame an early eight-point deficit and star off-season recruit Viliame Kikau made a noticeable difference in his first game back since Round 4, scoring his side’s first try and adding variety to the Bulldogs’ attack.
Then Braidon Burns – himself back from time out injured, torched his marker down the left and the Dogs had a two-point advantage, with Burton’s field goal making it 11-8 at the break.
Jake Averillo got over in the 53rd minute before the Dolphins went in again but the deal was sealed.
Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo said his side didn’t ice all of their chances.
“I thought we were doing a lot of things well but then … some ill-disciplined stuff and just giving the Dolphins opportunities,” he said.
“But the grittiness to hang in there and come up with some big plays to get the win was something I was proud of.”
The Bulldogs head into their final bye with a win under their belts before returning to action against the Knights in Round 24.
