The game was marked by intense play and notable injuries, including a shoulder injury to Bulldogs’ star winger Josh Addo-Carr, sidelining him after halftime. This was a blow to the Bulldogs, especially considering the high expectations placed on their new left-edge pairing of Stephen Crichton and Addo-Carr.
Despite this setback and being scoreless at halftime, the Bulldogs managed to narrow the gap to a 12-point deficit with just ten minutes left on the clock. However, the Eels’ disciplined play, boasting an 86% completion rate and committing fewer errors, led them to maintain their lead and ultimately secure the win. Notable performances included Dylan Brown’s strategic play, leading to Morgan Harper’s debut try, and Clint Gutherson’s reliable kicking, stepping in for an injured Mitch Moses.
Moses, the Eels’ halfback, played through the match with a groin injury, casting doubt on his availability for the next round. Despite the Bulldogs’ efforts to stage a comeback, highlighted by a late try combination from Viliame Kikau and Stephen Crichton, the Eels capitalized on their early lead and disciplined performance to close the game with a decisive victory.
