Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs have won their first Jersey Flegg Cup premiership since 2003 after defeating the Sydney Roosters 22-20 in today’s Grand Final at CommBank Stadium.
The Bulldogs reaffirmed their reputation as the most successful club in the Jersey Flegg Cup, having now won 10 premierships since the competition started in 1961.
Bulldogs captain Joseph O’Neill was named Player of the Match for his impressive kicking game that proved a challenge for the Roosters outside backs.
“We knew we had to go out there and better in the second half,” O’Neill told NSWRL TV.
“The last 10 minutes we didn’t give up, it was really good.
“It could have gone both ways but I’m glad we were the ones to come away with the win.”
Both teams started the game strong, testing one another with and without ball in hand.
The Roosters were the first to open the scoring after fullback Owen Flaherty fired a nice cut-out pass for his winger Xavier Chatfield-Mooka to dive over in the corner.
The Bulldogs hit back soon after with tries to winger Jordi Mazzone and back-rower Harry Hayes to take their team out to a 10-4 lead.
With the Bulldogs knocking the ball on off the kick-off, it placed the tricolours 20 meters out from their line with a full attacking set.
Off the back of some quick passing from the Roosters right edge, Chatfield-Mooka crossed over for his second try of the day.
The Roosters found themselves out in front in the 32nd minute through Tayson Fakosi who crashed passed defenders to score right next to the posts. Tia successfully kicked the conversion to re-take the lead 14-10.
Starting the second half behind on the scoreboard, the Bulldogs spine combined to create an overlap for centre Danny Gabrael to score. Papalii added the extra two points to place the ‘Dogs back out in front 16-14.
After being held up in the in-goal area twice, Mazzone finally found the try line to cross over for his second try of the day.
The Roosters hit back in the 63rd minute through forward Salesi Foketi who powered his way to the line to now have this team trailing 22-20 with seven minutes remaining.
Late errors from the Roosters and strong defence from the Bulldogs in the final moments of the game, saw the blue and white seal the win – their first in two decades.
“It’s been 20 years since the last Flegg premiership, it means a lot to the club as well as the team,” Bulldogs coach Luke Vella told nswrl.com.au.
“We spent a lot of time at training on defence and effort areas, and they were sometimes where we needed our team to step up and they did.
“Hats off to the team, they bought into everything we spoke about, and they can now enjoy themselves.
“They are just a good group of boys, so I am just so happy to be their coach and I am very proud of their efforts today.”
