Coach Cameron Ciraldo said it was an awesome day for the club with such a palpable energy unlike anything he’d seen before.
“Our fans were the ones who helped us get home,” he said.
“The players were really brave and played the grittiest they have all year; we had to find a way to win and we did.
“We started the game well but the Raiders fought back. At half time we challenged our guys on the left edge to give us more and they really stood up to the task.”
He said Captain Steven Crichton pulled off the play that won them the day.
“His leadership’s been outstanding all year but today was his best leadership day of all,” Ciraldo said.
Crichton said the win was a credit to all the team.
“We wanted to make the community proud and I’m so proud of the players for sticking in there until the 80th minute,” he said.
Back to Belmore President Luke Cevolani said he simply could not emphasise enough how big an impact events like the NRL fixtures had on people and small business in the Canterbury Bankstown district.
“The game saw so many people visit the Belmore precinct at a unique and wintery time of the year and really showcase what an amazing venue it is to watch first-grade rugby league,” he said.
The Bulldogs next face the Dragons from 7.35pm on Saturday at Netstrata Stadium.
Other results: The Knock On Effect cup, the Bulldogs d Raiders 22-12 and take on the Dragons from 5.15pm on Saturday at Netstrata Stadium; Jersey Flegg Cup, Bulldogs lost to Raiders 36-18 and do battle with the Dragons from 11am on Saturday in Wollongong; and in the Harvey Norman NSW Women’s Premiership, Bulldogs d Tigers 24-12 and face the Eels from 1pm on Sunday at Eric Tweedale Stadium.
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