Josh Ado-Carr signing a boot for a fan.
Late inclusions into the Bulldogs lineup, Origin players Josh Addo-Carr and Tevita Panagi Junior stood up in Cameron Ciraldo’s side but after losing hooker Reed Mahoney to a head knock in the first half, couldn’t capitalise in the back end of the match.
Forward Pangai Junior was quick to assure no signs of Origin fatigue, powering downfield to scoop up a loose ball, drawing first blood for the Bulldogs.
The Dogs went back-to-back three minutes later when Addo-Carr broke defenders before finding Mahoney on the inside who crashed over for just his second try as a Bulldog.
Come the 17th minute and the Roosters got on board before it was soon 12-12.
Two minutes into the second half, the Bulldogs broke the deadlock with Addo-Carr scoring his seventh try in just seven games this season.
This followed Khaled Rajab entering the fray to make his NRL debut before a Roosters’ try locked scores for the third time.
With five minutes to play, the Roosters hit the lead which was enough to seal the deal.
Coach Ciraldo said he thought the Bulldogs were the better team for most of the match.
“But they were just too good in the end, they nailed that last 10 minutes and we didn’t,” he said.
Meanwhile, a traditional NRL rivalry will be on display on the King’s Birthday Public Holiday when the Bulldogs host the Eels at Accor Stadium on Monday from 4pm.
