In a dramatic game at Accor Stadium, Canterbury held off a remarkable comeback attempt by the Sydney Roosters to secure a 30-26 victory. The match saw four players knocked out, two returning from drug bans, and one sent off.
Canterbury dominated the first half, racing to a 26-0 lead with a stellar performance by Matt Burton, who scored a hat-trick. However, the Roosters rallied after the break, scoring four quick tries to narrow the gap to just four points.
Despite the Roosters’ late surge, the Bulldogs managed to hold on for the win. The game also marked the return of Michael Jennings from a three-year drug ban and Bronson Xerri from a four-year ban.
Both teams faced injury concerns, with Canterbury’s Blake Taaffe and Harrison Edwards sustaining concussions, while Kurt Mann played through a broken hand. Roosters star James Tedesco was knocked out in the first half, adding to the drama of the night.
Reflecting on the match, Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo expressed mixed feelings about his team’s performance, acknowledging their strong start but also recognizing the need to address their shortcomings in the second half.