SPOON-BOUND DOGS FAIL TO CAUSE A STIR
THE New Zealand Warriors secured victory for their new community on the NSW Central Coast and for rusted-on fans back in Auckland.
But, most importantly, they won for exasperated supporters of the hapless Brisbane Broncos.
A 20-14 come-from-behind win over Canterbury on Sunday afternoon kept Brisbane away from the indignity of being last on the NRL competition table.
Canterbury would have jumped from 16th to 15th spot with a win – pushing the Broncos to a position the club has never held so late in a season.
It is inconceivable to think that Brisbane could be languishing so close to last spot during late August – a time when the club is usually preparing for finals footy.
The Bulldogs just can’t find a way to win. Canterbury led 10-0 with 2631 fans at ANZ Stadium believing their Bulldogs would finally exit the premiership cellar. The Warriors though continue to show enormous courage and resolve despite being stuck in Terrigal away from loved ones.
While unlikely, the Warriors can, mathematically, reach the finals. Now that would be some achievement.
Canterbury stayed close to Warriors, as they have with nearly all opponents during the past six weeks. In that time, the Bulldogs have lost 29-28 against Wests Tigers, 18-16 (Parramatta), 18-12 (Newcastle) and 28-22 (St George Illawarra).
That’s five loses by a combined total of 21 points.
Bulldogs fullback Will Hopoate scored just five minutes into the second half to give his side an eight point lead. But without confidence and depth, Canterbury just couldn’t hold on.
WARRIORS 20 (A. Pompey (49), J. Murchie (30), J. Murchie (51), R. Tuivasa-Sheck (62) tries; K Nikorima (31, 52) goals) def BULLDOGS 14 (N. Meaney (15), K. Foran (17), W. Hopoate (44) tries; N Meany (19) goal) at ANZ Stadium.