Leaders Lift Roosters To Thrilling Win At Gosford

An aerial attack by Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii forced the Bulldogs into a goal line drop-out in the second minute, after the centre contested Josh Addo-Carr in the air and kept the winger contained in the in-goal. 

The Roosters struggled to generate an opportunity in the five-tackle set, but a grubber from Jake Turpin at dummy half forced Canterbury-Bankstown into another drop-out. However, Matt Burton delivered a perfect cross-field kick to win the visitors back the ball on the restart. 

The recipients of three penalties, the Bulldogs found first points in the 11th minute after a Burton grubber ricocheted off the legs of Nat Butcher and hit the deck before being scooped up by Tevita Pangai Junior. The lock grounded the ball behind the posts, with Burton converting the try to give his team a six-point advantage. 

Three minutes later a flick pass from Jacob Preston unleashed Addo-Carr down the sideline, before the winger connected with hooker Reed Mahoney, putting him over uncontested. Burton added the extras from in-front, giving Canterbury-Bankstown a 12-point lead. 

Needing a response, the Tricolours looked to their leaders. Vice captain Luke Keary brushed off the grasp of Max King to break through the Bulldogs defensive line only three minutes later, linking up with James Tedesco through an inside ball to claim the Roosters' first points. Suaalii converted his Skipper's try, reducing the deficit to six. 

The Captain would step up to the challenge again in the 22nd minute, after Suaalii stepped past Addo-Carr before offloading to Corey Allan.

The winger, who moved into the centres after switching positions with the 19-year-old Samoan Representative, kicked a cross-field grubber into the path of Tedesco who sprinted upfield in support. Suaalii converted the try, locking the scores up at 12-apiece. 

Tedesco was denied a first-half hattrick two minutes before the siren, after referee Ashley Klein ruled Nat Butcher obstructed Burton in the lead up. 

The Bulldogs Skipper attempted a two-point field goal on the resuming set, but the kick waved to the left, leaving the scores locked at the break. 

An unfortunate start to the half from the hosts resulted in more points to Canterbury-Bankstown. After receiving a penalty for a second effort on Tedesco, the Roosters spread the ball right but a knock-on gave the Bulldogs back possession.  

From the scrum, the visitors found Addo-Carr, who raced down the touchline stepping through a Suaalii ankle tap before leaping over the stripe for his first try. Burton's conversion extended the Bulldogs' lead to six. 

Tedesco weaved through the Bulldogs defensive line eight minutes later, setting up Club debutant Junior Pauga for his NRL first try as a Rooster. The winger was struck down mid-air by a bone-rattling tackle two sets earlier, but got back up on his feet after receiving treatment from medical staff in an awe-inspiring effort. 

But another superb kick from Burton connected with Addo-Carr in the 54th minute, as the winger raced Suaalii to the ball, ultimately grounding it on the turf. The Captain nailed the conversion, increasing the margin to six. 

The teenager would be next to cross, after a classy right side play caught the visitors napping in defence 13 minutes later. Suaalii then converted his own try, levelling the scores at 24-apiece once more. 

Back-to-back knock ons from the Bulldogs allowed the hosts to creep towards the tryline, with Keary kicking his second field goal of the season six minutes later to put the Roosters in front for the first time in 74 minutes to claim the win. 

Sydney Roosters 25 (James Tedesco 2, Junior Pauga, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii tries, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii 4 goals, Luke Keary Field Goal) def Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 24 (Tevita Pangai Junior, Reed Mahoney, Josh Addo-Carr 2 tries, Matt Burton 4 goals)