Rabbitohs Fall Short To Bulldogs On Good Friday

The South Sydney Rabbitohs have gone down 9-24 in a tough battle against the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs in front of a crowd of 35,984 on Good Friday afternoon at ANZ Stadium. 

The Bulldogs were the first to add points for the afternoon with Kerrod Holland clearing the uprights from a penalty kick in front of goals. The Bulldogs early lead put them two points in front.

The Rabbitohs were given a chance to level the scores when the Bulldogs faltered for not releasing. In true Reynolds style, he kicked the ball clean over the crossbar and as the first quarter ticked over, the scores were levelled two points each.

In an outstanding magic moment, Alex Johnston tempted the Bulldogs defence, leading the side across the field before making a slick line break and accelerating 55 metres down the field to score the first four-pointer for the afternoon. Reynolds made no error with the conversion and the Rabbitohs led eight points to two.  

The Bulldogs were quick to respond with Josh Reynolds chasing his own well-weighted kick to slam the ball down in goals for the home team’s first try for the match. The red and green held on to a two point lead with the Bulldogs conversion swaying wide but it wasn’t long until the scores were levelled with Kerrod making up for his previous missed conversion and adding a second penalty goal to the board.

As the scores looked locked for the half time siren, Reynolds pulled the Rabbitohs into the lead with a successful field goal attempt taking the Rabbitohs into a one point lead as they ran into the sheds. 

The second half opened up with the determination intensifying in both sides.

The Rabbitohs got over the line for a second time but a no try call was made for an obstruction. The Rabbitohs continued to put pressure on the Bulldogs defensive line but failed to capitalise on their chances. A second attempt for Goodwin saw him over the line but he was held up in goal.

With only a point keeping the Rabbitohs in front, the Bulldogs kept up their persistence and were rewarded in the 63^rd minute breaking through and finding the line and the lead. Holland sealed the try with a successful conversion and the Bulldogs overtook the Rabbitohs 14 points to nine. 

The Bulldogs wouldn’t let the Rabbitohs catch up anytime soon flying over for another try with Holland adding the full six points. The Bulldogs established themselves with a comfortable 20 to nine point lead with just over 10 minutes remaining on the clock.

The Rabbitohs got to the line one again but another obstruction cost them the four-pointer.

The Bulldogs responded immediately and added what would be the last points for the evening through a try to Josh Morris on the far left side of the field.

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 24 (Josh Reynolds, Josh Jackson, Kerrod Holland, Josh Morris tries; Kerrod Holland 4 goals)

defeated

South Sydney Rabbitohs 9 (Alex Johnston try; Adam Reynolds 2 goals; Adam Reynolds field goal)