The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs' first hit-out of the season resulted in a solid 20-14 win over the Wests Tigers, with a number of young stars putting their hands up for a spot in Cameron Ciraldo's Round 1 side.
After an early softening up period, the Bulldogs turned defence into attack with Jonathan Sua flying down the right wing, before bench forward Jack Todd scored with his first touch of the game to make it 6-0 following Blake Taaffe's conversion.
Match: Bulldogs v Wests Tigers
Round 2 -
home Team
Bulldogs
8th Position
away Team
Wests Tigers
11th Position
Venue: Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, Sydney
At the half hour mark, Heath Mason got the Tigers on the board after finishing off a long-range effort to equal the scores.
A few minutes later it was Fijian flyer Ratu Rinakama crossing in the corner for Canterbury, courtesy of a superb tap on from Danny Gabrael to give the Bulldogs a 10-6 lead at the break.
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Match Highlights - Pre-Season Challenge: Week 2, 2025
Following half-time, the Tigers struck twice in quick succession to take the lead, 14-10, but the Bulldogs struck back with Rinakama making it a double before Jonathan Sua scored to regain a six-point lead.
Slick hands from halfback Joseph O'Neill put a rampaging Todd into space, who found Ragarive Wavik in the corner, only for the replay to show the winger's arm going into touch as he tried to ground the ball.
Cassius Tia then produced a monster 40-20 kick to put the Blue and White back on the attack, and while no further tries were scored, the defence held firm to deny the Tigers for a 20-14 victory.
Match Snapshot
- Jaeman Salmon captained the side, starting at lock.
- Recently re-signed forward Jack Todd put in a performance that will keep Cameron Ciraldo on notice for a spot in Round 1. The 22-year-old ran for an impressive 143 metres from 13 hit-ups, scored a try and made two line breaks.
- Front rower Daniel Suluka-Fifita also put in plenty of work; topping the tackle count with 40, and averaged nearly 10 metres per run with 124 total from 13 runs.
- Young gun wing pairing Jonathan Sua and Ratu Rinakama starred out wide; Sua topped the run metres with 187, made two line breaks and scored a try, while Rinakama finished with a brace of tries and 167 metres to his name along with three line breaks.
- Halfback Joseph O'Neill was involved all day, tallying a line break and a line break assist with 51 running metres and 26 tackles.
- Blake Taaffe looked strong out the back, busy as ever with an impressive 128 metres - 65 from kick returns - and three tackle breaks.
- 21 of the 29 players named for the match came through Club's Pathways system.
