The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs have secured their place in the 2023 Jersey Flegg Grand Final after a convincing 26-6 win over Minor Premiers Sydney Roosters at Leichhardt Oval today.
The Roosters will now turn their focus to a must-win game next week against the Parramatta Eels with the winner advancing to the Grand Final at CommBank Stadium in Parramatta on Sunday 24 September.
Earlier in the day, the Eels defeated Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 20-6 in the Minor Semi-Final at Leichardt Oval, ending the Sharks season for 2023.
Major Semi-Final: (2nd) Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 26 def. (1st) Sydney Roosters 6
Following on from their win over the Sharks last week, the Bulldogs once more proved to be a strong premiership contender defeating competition favourites the Roosters.
The Sydney Roosters were the first to find the line through fullback Owen Flaherty who sliced through the defense in the 4th minute to score under the posts.
Bulldogs’ winger Jodi Mazzone put his team out in front by scoring two quick tries in seven minutes (10-6).
With all the momentum behind them, the Bulldogs added six more points just before halftime with second rower Luke Smith crashing over the line.
Starting the second half how they finished the first, the Bulldogs continued to test the Roosters in attack.
Mazzone found the line for the third time in the 41st minute, with the Bulldogs’ right edge combining to quickly shift the ball out wide for the winger to add another four points.
Sydney Roosters tried their best to get back into the game however ill-discipline in both defence and attack saw the tricolours struggle to find their feet.
The Bulldogs added salt to the wound right on full-time with lock Damon Marshall finding space under the posts to score his team’s final try of the day (26-6).
Securing their spot in the Grand Final, the Bulldogs now have a week off while the Roosters shift their attention to next weeks’ Preliminary Final.
RESULT: Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 26 (Jordi Mazzone 3, Luke Smith, Damon Marshall tries; Joash Papalii 3 goals) def. Sydney Roosters 6 (Owen Flaherty try; Vaiala Tamti goal).
Minor Semi Final: (5th) Parramatta Eels 20 def. (3rd) Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 6
After knocking out the premiers the Penrith Panthers last week, the Eels came into this game as underdogs hoping to build off their momentum from their previous game, while the Sharks were hoping to bounce back from their disappointing loss to the Bulldogs.
Ill-discipline from the Sharks saw the Eels earn three repeat sets only 20m from their line, with the Eels quickly building pressure on their opposition’s defense.
Eels halfback Ethan Sanders capitalised off the Sharks rushed defence, sending a cut out ball to his centre Samuel Loizou who crossed in the corner. Sanders missed the conversion to leave the score at 4-0.
A 7-2 penalty count – favouring the Eels resulted in the Sharks battling for possession in the opening half however a strong defensive effort saw the boys from the Shire only trail by four points.
The Eels extended their lead just on halftime with forward William Latu finding a hole in the defensive line to break past defenders and score. Sanders failed to kick the conversion (8-0).
The Sharks came firing out of the blocks in the second half scoring in the first five minutes through halfback Manaia Waitere.
With it becoming only a two-point game, the Eels hit back in the 50th minute through centre Blaize Talagi who offloaded the ball to his winger Matthew Lomolafe, crossing for his 13th try of the year.
Holding all the momentum, Parramatta sealed the win with winger Ethyn Martin who raced down the sideline to score in the corner, bringing the score to 18-6.
With two minutes remaining, the Eels were awarded a penalty and opted to take the two, which was successfully converted by Sanders.
Off the back of two successful weeks the Eels will now turn their focus to the Preliminary Final next Saturday.
“We had a real good defensive effort today,” Eels coach Craig Brennan told nswrl.com.au.
“The boys did really well defensively and turned up for each other.
“To keep a team to six points in a semi-final, it is a real great achievement.
“We are onto next week and we are excited.”
RESULT: Parramatta Eels 20 (Samuel Loizou, William Latu, Matthew Komolafe, Ethyn Martin tries; Ethan Sanders 2 goals) def Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 6 (Manaia Waitere try; Kristian Dixon 1 goal).
