Academy Wrap Round 9: Fiaola Named Minor Premiers, SG Stun Souths

The Lisa Fiaola Cup Bulldogs finished their regular season on a high with a dominant 46-10 win over the Parramatta Eels to seal the Minor Premiership.

Despite conceding the first try, the Bulldogs powered through for a dominant 32-4 lead at the break, with six different try scorers - Emacyn-Eden Ieremia, Giovanna Suani, Tanya Kavapalu, Evelyn Roberts, Shakira Lui and Jayda Peo - touching down. 

The second half mirrored the first with Parramatta hitting back to open the scoring, but a further three tries - including a second for Peo - saw the Bulldogs rack up their seventh win and seventh scoreline of 30+ points to claim the Minor Premiership.

Head Coach Vanessa Foliaki gave her side plenty of credit as they took top spot. 

"We knew coming into this game it would be a great challenge. We've worked so hard to cement our spot as Minor Premiers, and this was a must-win for us," she explained.

Credit to the girls - they scored first and put us on the back foot, but we stayed composed and managed to score some quick tries afterwards. It was a great team effort from everyone.

Tarsha Gale Cup: Bulldogs 18 def by Eels 20

It was a disappointing end to the regular season for the Tarsha Gale Cup Bulldogs, who were downed 20-18 at the hands of the Parramatta Eels. 

In their first loss of the season, the Bulldogs started strong with a brace to Elizabeth MacGregor and a try to Kiana Vatubua, but with goal-kicking failing them, they took a slim 12-6 lead into the break.

Parramatta replied in kind with two quick tries to start the second half, and while a further four-pointer to Josinah Filisi Tauiliili gave them a two-point advantage, a late try saw their opponents take the two competition points. 

Head Coach Nik Wolfgramm was pragmatic in his assessment of the match.

"Not the end to the regular season that we wanted but there were definitely a lot of lessons learnt," he said.

We started well and shot off to an early lead and looked in through the first half. Mistakes and ill-discipline slowly crept in and allowed Parramatta back in. With only minutes left in the game, Parramatta took the lead and the points.

"There was definitely a sense of disappointment and frustration. However, I believe it's a blessing in disguise." 

Harold Matthews Cup: Bulldogs 18 def by Rabbitohs 30

It was a tough end to a tough season for the Harold Matthews Cup side, who were downed 30-18 against South Sydney at Hammondville Oval.

Playing with a never-say-die attitude throughout the contest and throughout the year, the Bulldogs started like a team on a mission with two tries in the opening nine minutes through Braith Sloane and Wesley Papalii-Afoa.

While Kden Carter added his name to the scoresheet, three unsuccessful conversions and two converted tries to Souths saw the scoreline at 12-all at the break.

The lead went back and forth with Canterbury holding an 18-16 lead heading into the final fifteen minutes, however their opponents scored two further tries to seal the result, ending the year with a gallant twelve-point defeat. 

Head Coach Mark O'Meley was straightforward in his assessment of the match.

"Another fast start for the boys who jumped off to an early lead looking very dominant, with field position and asking the Souths defence plenty of questions," he said.

"We had control for big periods of the game but couldn't ice the moments and Souths fought back to take the win."

SG Ball Cup: Bulldogs 30 def Rabbitohs 28

In one of the major upsets of the season, the Bulldogs SG Ball team has sealed a spot in the 2025 semi finals after defeating second-place South Sydney in a close, high-scoring contest, 30-28 at Hammondville Oval.

Two tries in the opening seven minutes gave the side a handy 10-nil lead, however their more fancied opponents were able to take an eight-point advantage going into half-time.

Undeterred by the task ahead, the Bulldogs rallied in the second half as the two teams went tit-for-tat, with a missed conversion on the bell handing the Bulldogs a much-deserved victory and finishing the season in seventh place. 

"Once again we started well, but poor discipline invited the Rabbitohs back into the game which gave them a lead at half-time," Head Coach Steve Turner said. 

"The boys fought hard in the second half to score three tries and finish the regular season in seventh."