A kick out on the full by Bulldogs five-eighth Matt Burton in the 11th minute, gave Manly a shot at the line but Reed Mahoney did a great job to clean up the grubber and defuse the situation.
In the end the pressure proved too much for Canterbury and 4 Pines Park erupted when Manly followed through and scored in their first game back.
The Bulldogs hit back in the 21st minute when Mahoney put in a grubber close to the line and collected the rebound off the uprights to score his first try as a Bulldog.
Burton’s conversion levelled the scores at 6-6.
The sin binning of Bulldogs halfback Kyle Flanagan with five minutes remaining in the first half for a professional foul, proved critical with Manly crossing a minute later.
Manly looked to have extended their lead on the stroke of half-time after a dropped ball by Josh Addo-Carr was scooped up and the home side needed just three minutes into the second half to score again.
It was soon 24-6 and then another try before a field goal sealed the deal for Manly.
Coach Ciraldo said his side’s completions weren’t where they needed them to be.
“But I thought we showed a hell of a lot of grit there at different times to defend our tryline and to stay in the contest physically … there’s a lot of lessons learned.”
The Bulldogs travel to Melbourne in round two to face the Storm this Saturday at 7.35pm.
Other results: Tarsha Gale Cup, Bulldogs defeated Manly, 18-4; Harold Matthews Cup, Bulldogs defeated Manly, 30-16; SG Ball Cup, Bulldogs defeated by Manly, 34-14; Knock On Effect NSW Cup, Bulldogs defeated Manly, 36-16; Jersey Flegg, Bulldogs defeated Manly, 36-34; and Harvey Norman NSW Women’s Premiership, Bulldogs defeated Bears, 28-18.
