Gutsy Dogs overcome Titans, Origin concern for Tino
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A spirited second-half comeback saw the Bulldogs pick up their first win in almost a month on Sunday, with a late Jayden Okunbor try seeing them to a 20-18 victory over the Titans.
After heading to the break down 14-0 at Accor Stadium, the Bulldogs flew out of the sheds in the second half to score two tries in the space of five minutes and get back into the game.
A subsequent try to Jacob Kiraz set up a thrilling finish, before Okunbor burst through the heart of the Gold Coast defence to score three minutes from time, with Matt Burton's ensuing conversion from in front confirming the comeback win.
Okunbooooor!
It was a lost opportunity for the Titans, who alongside Maroons coach Billy Slater will now wait nervously to see what comes of captain Tino Fa'asuamaleaui being placed on report for a lifting tackle late in the second half.
Earlier they had scored after just three minutes through David Fifita, with a Tanah Boyd penalty and Joe Stimson try giving them comfort at the break.
Just try and stop David Fifita
But their lone try to Phillip Sami in the second half wasn't enough to avoid the raging comeback from the Bulldogs, who in winning ensured they avoided finishing Round 12 at the bottom of the Telstra Premiership ladder.
Match: Bulldogs v Titans
Round 12 -
home Team
Bulldogs
14th Position
away Team
Titans
11th Position
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
Match Snapshot
- Bulldogs winger Josh Addo-Carr marked his return from injury and staked an Origin claim with a try, which was his ninth in his last five games against the Titans, and 81 run metres.
- Canterbury-Bankstown completed at 87 percent across the game, outscoring the Titans 20-4 in the second half.
- Tino Fa'asuamaleaui was placed on report for a lifting tackle on Tevita Pangai Junior 11 minutes from full-time which could put him in doubt for Origin I.
- Reed Mahoney underwent a first-half HIA after a heavy collision while tackling Fa'asuamaleaui. He passed the assessment and returned for the start of the second half.
- Earlier Mahoney was also put on report for an alleged hip drop.
Play of the Game
A try for Josh Addo-Carr in his return from injury, with the New South Wales selectors watching on, and a special celebration for Indigenous Round to finish it all off.
Addo-Carr finishes off Bulldogs classic
What They Said
“Really disappointed and I feel awful. I think we again found a way to not win a game… you don’t lead 14-0 and not know what you are doing, and then we are just finding ways to come unstuck. We were in complete control of the game and then we didn’t win it. Hopefully [Tino Fa'asuamaleaui being placed on report] is fine, I want him to play Origin, he’s an awesome player and I hope nothing comes of that” – Titans coach Justin Holbrook.
Titans: Round 12
"I wasn't too stressed at half-time, I knew if we could get our stuff together in the second half we'd be able to get some points, but still disappointed with how we started. It was good to have [Josh Addo-Carr] back; Foxx is a really big energy booster for our team." – Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo.
Bulldogs: Round 12
What's Next
Both teams sit out next week on a bye, before returning to action in Round 14. The Titans play host to the Rabbitohs at Cbus Super Stadium, while the Bulldogs head to Gosford to take on the Roosters.
