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Brandon Smith intercepts a Max King offload and the Rabbitohs counter-attack, and they have a chance to end this contest with a goal when Kurt Mann is penalised for a high tackle.
But Souths turn down the penalty goal – they haven’t been kicking them tonight anyway – and go for the try instead. And the decision pays off almost immediately, a right-side shift ending with Matt Dufty scooting over out wide.
The veteran fullback has had a good game tonight, with more than 230 metres, a try assist, and now a try. Jayden Sullivan steps up for the tricky shot at goal and hits the posts.
Rabbitohs 22, Bulldogs 6 with 90 seconds left
Souths go over again, with Cody Walker throwing a bullet cutout pass to Tallis Duncan who runs through a hole, but that pass went forward and is rightly called back.
So the Dogs escape twice, but time is not on their side and they need to try something out-of-the-box if they are to get back into this one. Lachie Galvin does just that, chipping a kick over the top that is grabbed on the full by a chasing Stephen Crichton, who then kicks off the outside of his boot towards Enari Tuala on the left wing, but Campbell Graham is on the spot to snuff it out for Souths.
The waves of Bulldogs attack keep coming, but a promising set comes to an end when Viliame Kikau drops a pass from Crichton on the last tackle.
Rabbitohs 18, Bulldogs 6 with five minutes left
A bizarre moment now – interference by the referee! First Brandon Smith pulls off a one-on-one strip to steal possession from Bronson Xerri 12 metres from the Bulldogs’ line, and then Lachie Hubner runs from dummy-half through a yawning gap to score.
But referee Ashley Klein sends it to the bunker, highlighting that he had been in the way of Bulldogs defender Stephen Crichton, which created that gap for Hubner to run into.
It’s no try, with Souths retaining possession, and their fans voicing their displeasure in the crowd.
Rabbitohs 18, Bulldogs 6 with 10 minutes left
The Bulldogs’ bad night just got worse with winger Jethro Rinakama sidelined with a knee injury, but then Canterbury are able to put on some pressure in attack with Stephen Crichton forcing a dropout with a nice grubber into the in-goal.
From the next set they go through the hands to the left, Crichton linking up with Matt Burton who sends Enari Tuala over in the corner.
Crichton nails the sideline conversion – his goal-kicking could become vital if this game gets close – and the Dogs are on the board.
Rabbitohs 18, Bulldogs 6 with 16 minutes left
Souths look set to score again when Jack Wighton challenges Connor Tracey for a bomb and the ball spills for Rabbitohs prop Sean Keppie, who runs for the line then throws a pass to Cameron Murray in support – but Jacob Kiraz is there to knock down the pass, and Wighton is ruled to have knocked on anyway.
No such dramas for the Rabbitohs’ next raid though, Campbell Graham grabbing a Jayden Sullivan bomb and charging for the corner, holding off Tracey and getting an arm free to score.
Matt Dufty takes on the goal-kicking duties from Sullivan, but misses his first attempt at goal in the NRL.
Rabbitohs 18, Bulldogs 0 with 32 minutes left
It’s a shocking start to the second half for the Bulldogs as Bailey Hayward makes a meal of the kick-off, putting it down cold, and the Rabbitohs only need a couple of tackles to break through with Matt Dufty sending Tallis Duncan through a half gap to score.
Jayden Sullivan is having a mixed night with the boot and misses another conversion.
Rabbitohs 14, Bulldogs 0 with 38 minutes left
A Jayden Sullivan penalty gives the Bulldogs a chance, and Jacob Preston charges over from dummy-half, but Keaon Koloamatangi pulls off the Rabbitohs’ third try-saving tackle of the game – and when the bunker takes a closer look at it Preston is penalised for a double movement.
Then Rabbitohs almost go the length in the final minute, Matthew Dufty making a break up the middle and chipping over the top. The kick is defused by Jacob Kiraz, who is tackled in the final 10 seconds of the half then throws an insane offload straight to Dufty. He sends Alex Johnston charging for the corner, but Viliame Kikau closes him down and Johnston’s offload back inside is deflected over the sideline by Bulldogs centre Enari Tuala.
A wild final minute at the end of a frustrating half for Canterbury.
Rabbitohs 10, Bulldogs 0 at half-time
The Bulldogs have really let off the pressure they were building in the first 20 minutes, a series of set restarts and now a dangerous tackle penalty against Lachlan Galvin giving Souths more attacking chances.
As well as scoring that early try, David Fifita is producing one of his better games, racking up five tackle breaks so far. He’s having a real battle with Viliame Kikau.
Cody Walker tries another grubber with a couple of chasers down the left wing, but the Connor Tracey watches it roll over the sideline.
Rabbitohs 10, Bulldogs 0 after 38 minutes
