Finals Week One
Bulldogs 30 d. Canberra Raiders 12

2006 NRL Telstra Premiership Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

Location: Aus_NZ > National > First Grade Competition: NRL Telstra Premiership

Sherwin inspires the Bulldogs to one game shy of Grand Final
Sun September 10, 2006
The Bulldogs have produced one of their finest victories of the season to break a 'home' Finals hoodoo to eliminate Canberra from the competition and advance to week three of the Finals.

Whilst the Club has been ravaged with injuries in recent weeks it has been an amazing three days for the Bulldogs following Stateline's report on Friday night where it was revealed they were innocent from any wrong doing at Coffs Harbour, which ironically has barely raised a trickle in the media since it posted the Bulldogs in a very positive light.

As exclusively revealed on Rleague.com last Friday, the Bulldogs changes that were predicted all happened with exciting youngster Ben Roberts coming into the left centre position, Sonny Bill Williams moving to lock and Nate Myles starting at prop with the reliable Chris Armit and last week's hero Dallas McIlwain dropping back to the bench and Jarrad Hickey out of the side. Roberts inclusion in the squad has been called for in recent weeks and he did nothing wrong last night but more importantly Williams played in the forwards.

The week off was absolutely needed by the Bulldogs as now Reni Maitua will return to the side and there's every chance that Roy Asotasi will play as both players are recovering better than expected. Willie Tonga and Tony Grimaldi won't be back but both Roberts and Adam Perry played very well last night giving coach Steve Folkes some options.

Brent Sherwin returned to his brilliant best last night as he continued his excellent run of Finals form from 2004 where he embarrassed Matt Orford, Craig Gower and Brett Finch in successive weeks when the Bulldogs won the Premiership. Sherwin controlled play superbly, his kicking game was spot on and he ran the ball to the line. Sherwin showed positive signs against Penrith that he was getting back to his instinctive best despite making a few errors.

Canberra made a dream start to the match when a deft Jason Smith grubber kick found Phil Graham who scored near the posts. The Bulldogs grinded their way into position and crossed in the 15th minute with captain Andrew Ryan crashing over. Moments later Matt Utai had a try disallowed when Willie Mason was ruled off-side in a very close call, which could have easily been awarded a try as was a certain try to Ben Hornby earlier in the season when the Dragons defeated Newcastle.

The Bulldogs finally hit the lead just before half-time when a great pass from Sherwin found fullback Luke Patten.

Andrew Emelio scored a fine individual try in the 53rd minute to extend the Bulldogs lead to 18-6 and from there they were never headed.

Daniel Holdsworth scored from close range as the Bulldogs put pay to the match leading 24-6.

The Sherwin and Hazem El Masri combination was back in the 68th minute when El Masri pounced on a trademark Sherwin grubber that Graham messed up as the Bulldogs led 30-6.

Adrian Purtell scored a late try but the Raiders never looked like staging a miracle comeback.

Injuries are always a setback but that only opens up new opportunities and last night there were several players who stood tall as the Bulldogs recorded their most important and impressive victory since the 2004 Grand Final. Back-rower Nick Kouparitsas was very impressive and the Bulldogs have discovered a young player wanting an opportunity to prove himself. Kouparitsas was labeled a Canberra and Wests reject by a shock jock on Sydney radio during the week and Kouparitsas has made plenty of people eat his words and made Canberra pay for letting him go.

Roberts played his 5th match of the season last night with the Bulldogs winning all five and he showed his versatility by filling the centre position with class giving Folkes plenty of options for the next match and also next season meaning that Williams can remain in the forwards.

One of the Bulldogs best and he has been for the last two years was Armit who is an unsung hero in the side. Armit does his job without fuss and there's more chance of seeing the Halley's Comet live than an Armit error. When the Bulldogs forwards are talked about, the name Armit is never mentioned, yet he's one of the first players selected in the squad of 17 and a player the coaching staff, players and supporters feel very safe to have around in the side. Whilst Sherwin deserves to win the Man of the Match awards, Armit was a very close second. Armit was unwanted by Parramatta at the end of 2004 and he was snapped up in the hope that he would be another Premier League success like Tonga proved to be. Armit has been more than a success and has only missed two matches in the last two years.

Canberra enjoyed an outstanding season and defied the odds to make the Finals. The Raiders unfortunately played into the Bulldogs hands last night and got themselves stuck in a forwards battle and the Bulldogs defence around the ruck area took care of their dangerous dummy half runners. The injury to Jason Smith didn't help them and Schifcofske who has always troubled the Bulldogs was extremely well contained.

The Raiders had every chance of victory due to their recent form and the Bulldogs injury toll, however the Stateline documentry on Friday night revealing the Bulldogs innocence from 2004 and that inspired the Club to higher levels. When transcripts and footage is available, Rleague.com will have coverage for those who were unable to see Stateline NSW. There is a replay on ABC2 (Foxtel Digital Channel 126) at 4pm later today. The Bulldogs enjoy an amazing culture and have four very strong leaders and excellent people in key positions with captain Ryan, coach Folkes, chief executive Malcolm Noad and chairman Dr George Peponis who keep the Club in a strong position and allow it to progress despite the hurdles.


ABC Match Interview with Luke Patten
Sun September 10, 2006
Source: www.bulldogs.com.au

ABC Grandstand spoke with Luke Patten following the Bulldogs' 30-12 win over Canberra in their NRL qualifying final at Telstra Stadium.

ABC: It was a pretty clinical second half tonight.

Patten: Oh yeah, tough conditions. We knew we had to hold onto the footy and just kick, turn them around and our defence was good tonight so we're looking confident, we get the week off, maybe a couple of players back, things are looking real good.

ABC: Well Luke that's the point I'm making. To score 30 points in probably the worst conditions you've possibly faced all season was a big plus towards your attack.

Patten: Yeah and we can still improve on that aswell so as I said things are looking up for us and hopefully with the week off we might get Reni Maitua back and maybe Roy Asotasi so it would be a real lift for our team and the young blokes are getting a real go in the semis now so their confidence will be up aswell.

ABC: Luke, the last couple of weeks the Bulldogs a little bit of the pace. Was that because there really wasn't anything to play for, you couldn't really improve your position?

Patten: I think so. You'd like not to think about that but I guess in the end everyone was sort of thinking that because we already had second place locked up and maybe we were looking ahead to the semis but here we are now and we get the week off and everything has worked out good for us.

ABC: You mentioned those injured players, are they some chance to come back for the 'Dogs?

Patten: I think they are yeah. I know Reni's a massive chance to come back now and I think Roy, he's one of the most professional players I know and he's been doing everything he can to get the knee right and he's a big chance to come back aswell and that would be a massive lift for us.

ABC: Certainly would be. So you'll take the week off now, be happy with it and one game away from a grand final.

Patten: Absolutely. As I said it's turned out perfect for us and to think we're one game away from the grand final sends a chill up my spine but it's a great time of year to be playing footy.

ABC: Mate, well played and thanks for talking to Grandstand.

Sources:
Bulldogs Football Club: www.bulldogs.com.au
ABC Rugby League: www.abc.net.au/rugbyleague

Sun September 10, 2006
• Wet Dogs advance to Week Three
  
Fri September 8, 2006
• Selection Gamble: Roberts on standby to play centre
  
Wed September 6, 2006
• Preview: Bulldogs v Raiders
  
Tue September 5, 2006
• Reni Maitua out of Finals
  

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