This was published 1 year ago
Canterbury have come from behind twice to deny an emotional Shaun Johnson a fairytale farewell in the Warriors veteran’s final game in Auckland.
The Bulldogs defied a spirited, sell-out Mt Smart Stadium crowd to win 34-18 and close the gap on Cronulla and the Sydney Roosters in the race for the top four.
Cameron Ciraldo’s men have now won five in five as they continue to mount the unlikeliest of title tilts following seven years without finals football.
After trailing 18-16 at half-time, the Bulldogs score three unanswered tries to win 34-18 and stay in the hunt for a top-four finish. No joy for Shaun Johnson in his final home game but what a highlights reel he will leave us with when he retires in a few weeks.
78 min: Crichton splits the defence and offloads to Kiraz, who crosses for the Dogs’ sixth try. Burton converts. Bulldogs 34-18
71 min: Less 10 minutes remaining and the Warriors need two tries. I’m not sure they have it in them tonight, but we will see. Bulldogs 28-18
62 min: Addo-Carr wins the race to a Burton kick and extends the Dogs’ lead. Burton’s kick raises the flags. Bulldogs 28-18
55 min: Sexton’s boot leads to another Bulldogs four-pointer, with Harry Hayes scoring his first NRL try. Burton adds the extras. Bulldogs 22-18
52 min: Tuivasa-Sheck has failed his HIA after being taken high by Crichton, who was lucky to not be sin-binned. That means the Warriors are without both their starting centres after Pompey suffered a leg injury early in the game and did not return to the field.
41 min: Warriors kick off to the Bulldogs.
39 min: Egan deceives the defence from dummy-half just before half-time and Johnson’s conversion gives the Warriors the lead back. Warriors 18-16
35 min: Viliame Kikau busts some flimsy Warriors defence, draws the last line and sends Kurtis Morrin in for the Bulldogs’ third try. Burton converts. Bulldogs 16-12