Dogs muzzled

The Sydney Roosters have produced their best defensive effort in two years with a 6-0 shut-out of Canterbury in their round-seven NRL clash. Less than a week after a disappointing loss to arch-rivals South Sydney, the pre-season favourites responded by turning away a Bulldogs side

52 times inside their opposition

20m zone on Thursday night. While the Roosters’ attack remains a work in progress – Latrell Mitchell’s fifth-minute try was the only difference – coach Trent Robinson will be buoyed by his team’s renewed commitment in defence. It’s the first time the Roosters’ line had not been breached since a 38-0 cleansheet in April, 2016, against Newcastle.