Record start continues for Super Netball pacesetters
Sunday's contest at Ken Rosewall Arena drew together two teams at different ends of the ladder, but the Giants threw everything they had at their unbeaten rivals before falling to an 82-69 defeat.
While the Swifts remain unbeaten after six rounds - continuing their best start to a season - the Giants remain at the bottom of the ladder with just one win.
The Swifts got off to a sluggish start that has typified their recent matches.
They still managed to hold a three-goal lead at the main break after a feisty first half featuring a physical battle between Swifts centre Paige Hadley and her Giants counterpart and fellow Diamond Jamie-Lee Price.
But the third quarter proved crucial as the competition front-runners streaked away with the match, extending their lead to 60-48 with sharp-shooter Grace Nweke almost unstoppable.
Down the other end, Swifts keeper Teigan O'Shannassy also kept a tight lid on the Giants and was named player of the match.
The Giants lost Jo Harten with a mystery injury. The veteran shooter made her way off court and down the tunnel midway through the third quarter and was unable to return.
Harten had been in blistering form, with 25 goals from 25 attempts and two from four from the two-point range.
Matisse Leatherbarrow took over the GS bib and was also on target with 16 goals from 19 attempts, including five super shots.
The Giants tried to claw their way back into the match in the final term but the deficit proved too much, with the Swifts' Kiwi ace Nweke finishing with a mammoth haul of 64 goals from 67 attempts.
Briony Akle's troops extended their dominance over the Giants, now winning their past six clashes.
"We wanted to start each quarter hard, we wanted to come out and lay a mark and I think we did that," said ex-Giant O'Shannassy.
"We got told by Briony to go out and do what we do best, individually and as a team, and getting that freedom from the coach is something that lifts everyone up.
"It's the battle of NSW and no matter where they (Giants) are on the ladder they bring out the best in us and no matter where we are in the ladder it's always going to be a great game."
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Herald Sun
9 hours ago
- Herald Sun
AFLW season 10: Hawthorn, St Kilda notch up round one wins
St Kilda has defied the odds to register its first win - and highest ever score - against Adelaide, dominating clearance to take home a 22-pt win. Milestone midfielder Molly McDonald declared pre-game that the her side was 'coming to bring an exciting brand of football for [their] fans' - and that's exactly what they did. Adelaide controlled possession early but succumbed to old habits as it struggled to convert despite a sizeable inside 50 differential. Doubling St Kilda in this metric to half time, the Crows failed to score effectively once more. St Kilda's high-pressure approach and defensive commitment contributed to the Crows' shallow entries and inability to complete their marks, leaving them goalless after half time. Hannah Priest celebrates with Molly McDonald and Ashleigh Richards. Picture:. The risky move to bring Rebecca Ott into the ruck - and to play skipper Hannah Priest largely forward - paid off for Nick Dal Santo as his side claimed a 5.5 (35) to 2.7 (19) victory. Even Ebony Marinoff's dominant 27-disposal outing wasn't enough as T Smith (24 disposals, seven clearances) and Georgia Patrikios (26 disposals) controlled clearance (28-17). Adelaide's India Rasheed provided the Crows with something to smile about slotting an impressive goal on debut, prompting a fist pump from father Roger in the stands. After losing both practice matches in a similar fashion, alarm bells will be ringing for Matthew Clarke as the Crows continue to be hunted. FIRST KICK, FIRST GOAL It's an exclusive club that continues to grow - and one that Zoe Besanko joined after kicking St Kilda's first major score of the day, and the first of her career. Pick 32 in the 2024 AFLW Draft, project-player Besanko showed the athleticism that has her poised as the perfect partner for stalwart forward Jesse Wardlaw. Competing all day, she later capitalised from a 50-metre penalty to record her second goal and prove the strength of today's AFLW pathways. Ex-Bomber Amber Clarke was also able to record her first goal as a Saint. MUNYARD DOWN Hannah Munyard - one of Adelaide's best prior to the incident - left the field late in the third term with a syndesmosis injury. An extended stint on the sidelines would be a huge blow for a Crows outfit already struggling forward of the ball. Hannah Munyard was carried off. Picture: Kelly Defina/AFL Photos/via Getty Images. SAME OLD WOES The Crows took home the win in their last outing against St Kilda despite struggling to scoring effectively. Today, however, familiar woes got the better of them. Despite finishing +21 for inside 50s, the returning Eloise Jones, and Caitlin Gould, were unable to capitalise on opportunities across the afternoon. MCDONALD'S MILESTONE Celebrating her 50th game in style, Molly McDonald shrugged off a strong Hannah Munyard tackle to slot an impressive checkside snap. Her contingent of supporters, dubbed by Lauren Wood on Fox as 'footy mad mob', were up and about at RSEA Park, with the moment marking her twelfth career goal. FAST GAME'S A GOOD GAME A second-quarter burst by new Saint Charlotte Baskaran showed exactly why the AFL implemented changes to speed up the play in Season 10. Streaming down the middle with her run-and-carry on full display, Baskaran hit J'Noemi Anderson lace out in exciting scenes for Saints and AFLW fans alike. THE QUIRKS OF AFLW There are many great quirks of AFLW - well demonstrated by today's cheersquad for the umpires. ST KILDA 2.0(12), 3.2 (20), 5.5 (35), 6.5(41) ADELAIDE 1.1(7)), 2.1 (13), 2.3 (15), 2.7(19) GOALS: Saints: Besanko (2), McDonald, Clarke, Richards, Priest Crows: Newman, Rasheed BEST: Saints: Smith, Patrikios, McDonald, Friend, Wardlaw Crows: Newman, Marinoff, Rasheed, Munyard Injuries: Saints: Nil Crows: Hannah Munyard (syndesmosis) HAWKS SET SIGHTS ON REDEMPTION Hawthorn's bid for AFLW redemption after last season's disappointing finals campaign has started on the right note with a four-point win over Brisbane on Sunday. After finishing second on the ladder in 2024, the Hawks' premiership dreams ended with a straight-sets exit from the finals series. One of those finals losses came against the Lions, meaning the Hawks had plenty to prove at Springfield on the opening weekend of the new season. Tilly Lucas-Rodd played one of their best games. Picture: Russell Freeman/AFL Photos via Getty Images. And they were up to the task, holding on in the final quarter to win 4.9 (33) to 3.11 (29). The Lions had chances to steal the game in the closing stages but couldn't take advantage of their opportunities, finishing the game with four successive behinds as they fell short at home in the opening round of a season for the third-straight year. Hawks defender Tilly Lucas-Rodd, who had 27 possessions in a best-on-ground performance, said their team 'wanted to make a statement' after last season's finals capitulation. 'We came out and did that, which was really good,' Lucas-Rodd told Channel 7. Hawks 'grind' rewarded The Lions were restricted to just one point in the second-quarter as the Hawks took control of the contest. Trailing by four points at quarter-time, the Hawks kicked the only two goals of the second quarter through Aine McDonagh and Casey Sherriff. Unable to cope with Hawthorn's pressure, the Lions took almost 16 minutes of the quarter to register a score, a behind from Taylor Smith. Hawks midfielder Eliza West, who had 12 possessions by half-time in her 50th AFLW appearance, was pleased with her side's fightback after trailing at quarter-time. 'For us it's about the grind. We want to keep grinding them down as much as we can,' West said. 'We have a lot of faith in our system' West described her own key role as one of a 'hunter-gatherer'. 'If I can do that for the team, that's what they need me to do. That's all I'm focused on,' she said. Eliza West started the season on fire. Picture: Russell Freeman/AFL Photos via Getty Images. Injury scare There were fears that Hawthorn midfielder Jasmine Fleming may have suffered a serious knee injury when she limped off in the third-quarter after getting her right leg caught between a couple of Lions players. Fleming needed assistance from two Hawks trainers as she hobbled off, unable to put weight on her right knee. However, much to the Hawks' relief, she was able to return to action later in the quarter with her knee heavily strapped. Fleming wasn't the only player to require strapping during the match, with Lions midfielder Sophie Conway and Hawthorn ruck Lucy Wales requiring attention after a clash of heads in the second-quarter. Conway was taped up around her forehead, while a chin cut meant Wales required a great deal of strapping to allow her to re-enter the contest. Brisbane 2.3 2.4 2.7 3.11 (29) Hawthorn 1.5 3.7 3.8 4.9 (33) GOALS: Lions: Smith, Davidson, Hampson Hawks: McDonagh 2, Bodey, McDonagh BEST: Lions: Anderson, Hampson, Ellenger, O'Dwyer, Grider Hawks: Lucas-Rodd, West, McDonagh, Bates, Fleming CROWD: 4209 at Brighton Homes Arena Originally published as Hawthorn start season 10 campaign off strongly, St Kilda opens account with a win
The Age
13 hours ago
- The Age
McRae keeps faith in Pies despite Crows loss as debate rages over non-free kick in dying moments
Loading Key posts 11.49pm 'That stuff will stack up': McRae on Pies 11.26pm McRae still believes in Magpies despite losing run 10.43pm 'We haven't achieved anything yet': Nicks 10.38pm 'As long as we won by a kick': Nicks on inside 50s differential 10.28pm Crows come up clutch to score Pies win after 3318 days 10.25pm Did Thilthorpe kick the ball away late? 8.07pm Hawks want more as finals fast approach 7.08pm Subs named for Crows v Pies Hide key posts Posts area Go to latest Pinned post from yesterday 10.28pm Crows come up clutch to score Pies win after 3318 days By Steve Barrett Adelaide hung on by the tips of their fingernails but, at long last, shook their Magpie monkey. The nine-year Collingwood curse is dead. After 3318 long days, Adelaide busted one of the AFL's longest spells, in front of 54,283 fans - the biggest ever AFL crowd at Adelaide Oval - beating Collingwood for the first time since 16 July 2016. When the Crows last defeated the Magpies - some 3318 days ago - Barack Obama was still US president, Malcolm Turnbull had been sworn in as Australian Prime Minister and Scott Pendlebury was racking up touch after touch. Well, some things haven't changed. More importantly, Saturday night's pulsating three-point triumph all but sealed the Crows' first minor premiership since 2017 - the last time they made the top eight. Adelaide had to work overtime for this one, particularly their backline which was inundated by one Collingwood entry after another. The Pies amassed a whopping 71-39 advantage in inside-50s but just couldn't land the killer blow. The brilliant Nick Daicos's goal on the burst in the 27th minute of the fourth quarter was the game's final score, Collingwood attacking hard to the finish line. The Magpies had it all on their terms early, marching to a 25-point quarter-time cushion after 30 minutes of the footy almost exclusively living inside their forward half. But no deficit is beyond Adelaide's potent reach and they turned the tables emphatically with a 5.1 to 0.1 second term, allowing them to pinch a five-point half-time lead. The heavens opened in the third stanza which descended into a defensive-dominated sodden slog, the Crows spending most of it on the ropes but repeatedly warding off glancing Collingwood blows. Another goal drought followed in the fourth, finally busted by James Peatling in the 18th minute, Adelaide's single-figure lead seemingly worth plenty more. Riley Thilthorpe, largely subdued by ex-Crow Billy Frampton, took a huge clutch mark on his guy and converted to restore Adelaide's nine-point lead. If this was a September dress rehearsal between the cagey 2023 champions and the upstart challengers, the sequel looms as a beauty. yesterday 11.58pm That's all for tonight That's all we have for you tonight. Thanks so much for joining us throughout the day and into tonight. Please keep visiting our sports webpages for more AFL coverage tomorrow and throughout the week. Bye for now. yesterday 11.49pm 'That stuff will stack up': McRae on Pies By Steve Barrett The Magpies are on course for wins, of that coach Craig McRae is sure despite their close loss to Adelaide on Saturday night. 'We didn't get the four points, but internally, we know we're headed in the right direction,' Magpies coach Craig McRae said. 'You put the (Collingwood) jumper on this week and there's a lot more pride in the way we went about it. 'There's an internal belief that this game was there for us to win. 'We leave here not with our tail between our legs. 'Have we got more work to do? Absolutely. But we're headed in the right direction. 'That stuff will stack up.' Magpies midfielder Jack Crisp also likes how the team is shaping up. 'If we play like that, probably nine times out of 10 you're going to get the result,' Crisp said. 'We've probably been a bit stagnant the last few weeks, so to come out and have a real positive contest and clearance game sets up for the way we want to play the rest of the season. 'We did a lot right tonight and we played much better football than the last two weeks. 'That's a finals (like) game - I'm sure everyone else felt it. 'It's the right time to find some form.'That's a good start and now we'll focus on Friday night against Melbourne. yesterday 11.26pm McRae still believes in Magpies despite losing run By Roy Ward Collingwood coach Craig McRae had an interesting take on his side's dominance on inside 50s but failure to turn them into goals. The Magpies had 71-37 inside 50s but much of that dominance came in the first term before the rain set in as the team fell to a fifth loss in six games. McRae said the 'high density' of the Crows defence, the rain plus the high pressure being applied by both sides made clean possessions hard to come by. 'The reality of that kind of game is, as Leigh Matthews used to say, it will be hard for us to score so make it impossible for them,' McRae said. 'We did that most of the night. The inside 50 number says that, we have some work to do on our inside 50s but in wet conditions trying to kick to contests and then get to stoppages - we had something like 39 forward stoppages and scored three points from them so you have to find other ways to score. 'That's the numbers. We didn't get the four points but, internally, we think we are heading in the right direction. 'We gave everything right to the end, they were just a fraction better in moments. 'It was a hard game, a finals type game and it will serve both teams well.' yesterday 11.18pm Howe could return, Hill uncertain By Roy Ward The Magpies hope to get Jeremy Howe back for the final round but star forward Bobby Hill's return remains uncertain although he is back training. Magpies coach Craig McRae said Howe would bring a lot of strength to the team's defence once he comes out of the concussion protocols. 'Howey should be available next week and out of the protocols and Bobby is getting better every day but I'm not sure if he will be available next week,' McRae said. 'But it was pleasing having him back this week training hard for us. We might strengthen up next week if we get Howey back.' McRae also said the team's AFL and VFL sides both haven't reported any injuries from this weekend. yesterday 10.54pm Daicos says midfield must lift Magpies star Nick Daicos has put the heat on his team's midfield to improve how they are delivering the ball to the forwards. The Magpies forward line continues to struggle and they've lost five of their last six games. 'It's probably on the midfield,' Daicos told Fox Footy. 'I think the forwards set up well. It's on us [the midfield] to tidy up a few things. 'If we can get our forward line out in space, we will be a better team.' yesterday 10.43pm 'We haven't achieved anything yet': Nicks Matthew Nicks has revealed what premiership-winning veteran Alex Neal-Bullen told the group as they entered the final weeks of the season. 'A very experienced man told me that we haven't achieved anything yet,' Nicks told Fox Footy. 'His name is Alex Neal-Bullen and when you bring players like him into your football club and can sit down and share experiences they've had. Murray Davis is another one. 'We haven't achieved anything yet. We are not here to finish top with one round to go, we are here to have a real crack.' yesterday 10.38pm 'As long as we won by a kick': Nicks on inside 50s differential By Roy Ward Crows coach Matthew Nicks had a cracking line when asked what would have thought if he was told pre-game that Collingwood would win inside 50s 71-37. 'I wouldn't have cared as long as we won by a kick,' Nicks told Fox Footy. 'We will go back and review it. I thought they played better than we did as far as their game goes, we didn't get our best game at all. 'The last couple of weeks we have been a little bit off but still been able to get the job done. 'We've learned to win a different way tonight and against a very good opposition.' Nicks said he was proud of his players. 'I'm incredibly proud of these guys but I've been incredibly proud of them for years,' Nicks told Fox Footy. 'They are finally getting what they deserve. When are all connected and go to work together, then you get rewarded in sport and guys have been working hard for a long period of time….we didn't just get lucky this year.' yesterday 10.28pm Crows come up clutch to score Pies win after 3318 days By Steve Barrett Adelaide hung on by the tips of their fingernails but, at long last, shook their Magpie monkey. The nine-year Collingwood curse is dead. After 3318 long days, Adelaide busted one of the AFL's longest spells, in front of 54,283 fans - the biggest ever AFL crowd at Adelaide Oval - beating Collingwood for the first time since 16 July 2016. When the Crows last defeated the Magpies - some 3318 days ago - Barack Obama was still US president, Malcolm Turnbull had been sworn in as Australian Prime Minister and Scott Pendlebury was racking up touch after touch. Well, some things haven't changed. More importantly, Saturday night's pulsating three-point triumph all but sealed the Crows' first minor premiership since 2017 - the last time they made the top eight. Adelaide had to work overtime for this one, particularly their backline which was inundated by one Collingwood entry after another. The Pies amassed a whopping 71-39 advantage in inside-50s but just couldn't land the killer blow. The brilliant Nick Daicos's goal on the burst in the 27th minute of the fourth quarter was the game's final score, Collingwood attacking hard to the finish line. The Magpies had it all on their terms early, marching to a 25-point quarter-time cushion after 30 minutes of the footy almost exclusively living inside their forward half. But no deficit is beyond Adelaide's potent reach and they turned the tables emphatically with a 5.1 to 0.1 second term, allowing them to pinch a five-point half-time lead. The heavens opened in the third stanza which descended into a defensive-dominated sodden slog, the Crows spending most of it on the ropes but repeatedly warding off glancing Collingwood blows. Another goal drought followed in the fourth, finally busted by James Peatling in the 18th minute, Adelaide's single-figure lead seemingly worth plenty more. Riley Thilthorpe, largely subdued by ex-Crow Billy Frampton, took a huge clutch mark on his guy and converted to restore Adelaide's nine-point lead. If this was a September dress rehearsal between the cagey 2023 champions and the upstart challengers, the sequel looms as a beauty. yesterday 10.25pm Did Thilthorpe kick the ball away late? By Roy Ward Garry Lyon has called it 'the worst non-free kick of the season' but I can't agree with him. With the ball out of bounds in the final minutes and rolling between two boundary umpires, Riley Thilthorpe appeared to kick the ball away. But a second angle showed that the ball he kicked rolled towards the other, further away boundary umpire. It could have been a free kick, but it was better to leave it and let the on field play decide the play - at least in my view. I think the two clear throw passes that were missed in open play were far more troubling. yesterday 10.20pm How the Crows can finish on top To finish on top of the ladder, the Crows either need Geelong to lose to Sydney on Sunday or they need to win their final round clash with North Melbourne next weekend. The Magpies fall further back to the field when it comes to trying to secure one of the remaining top four spots. 'We are very confident, we know our roles and trust each other to get it done,' Riley Thilthorpe told Fox Footy.
Sydney Morning Herald
a day ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Roosters bash the Bulldogs black and blue to sound finals alarm
Key posts 10.03pm Roosters bash the Bulldogs black and blue to sound finals alarm 9.55pm Tupou completes hat-trick as Roosters march into top eight 9.33pm Burton intercept gives Bulldogs some hope 9.25pm Galvin gets it wrong, Walker gets it right as Tupou scores again 9.15pm Whyte crashes over for his second and the Dogs are in trouble 8.51pm Roosters pile on the pressure and score another 8.36pm Walker edges Roosters ahead after penalty 8.25pm Walker kicks for Tupou and it's all square Hide key posts Latest posts Pinned post from 10.03pm on Aug 15, 2025 By Dan Walsh For a team that was supposed to be rebuilding, according to those outside the Roosters' opulent Allianz Stadium walls (and quietly, a few within the Tricolours HQ), Trent Robinson's side is giving the 2025 title race one hell of a shake. And for a pack featuring roughly $3.5 million in Origin and international talent, it is undoubtedly hustling, bustling Kiwi prop Naufahu Whyte who is now the Roosters' spiritual leader. Just ask Canterbury, beaten first physically with Whyte leading the assault, then on the scoreboard too – 32-12 – as the front-rower bagged two tries in nine minutes and doubled his career tally. For all the hand-wringing after a small galaxy of stars left the building and the Broncos put 50 on them in round 1, the Roosters have suddenly emerged as one of the NRL's form sides. How else can you describe them? In the past three weeks they've outmuscled Manly in the wet, thrashed the Dolphins and now trounced the Bulldogs, a genuine premiership contender. All while knowing their season could be all but scotched with a loss anywhere in that run. All season, Whyte has been immense. And for all the representative credentials of his teammates like Spencer Leniu, Lindsay Collins, Angus Crichton and Victor Radley, the 23-year-old with big hair and a bigger motor is the top prop around Bondi way. By the time Robinson gave him his first breather on Friday night, Whyte had two tries, 113 metres from 17 runs and 22 tackles to show for his 54 minutes at the coalface. 'I thought the system of play these guys wanted to play pulled [the Bulldogs] apart and then Naufahu has been leading the way a lot in that,' Robinson said. 'He's been impressive, really impressive.' Skipper James Tedesco added: 'He's been here for a while and this year I think he's just matured and grown as a person and a player. He's really turned into a leader... he's become one of the best front-rowers in the game.' The Roosters' timely run has lifted them into the top eight with games against Parramatta, Melbourne and South Sydney to finish the season. Their finals fate is now not only in their hands, but alongside Penrith, Robinson's side suddenly shapes as one rivals won't fancy crossing in September. Canterbury's yo-yoing of late meanwhile, is cause for concern. A 42-4 carve-up of Manly, into an insipid loss to the Tigers, back to their best against the Warriors, and now beaten black and blue by the Roosters is hardly an encouraging form line. 'I sort of blame myself there,' a quietly fuming Cameron Ciraldo said. 'Guys are carrying niggling [injuries] and they just get through training instead of actually training. I'm going to stop that. If you can't train it results in a performance like that. 'We've got a deep squad and a lot of good players who didn't play tonight. If we don't want to prepare to win then I'll put someone in that does.' Aside from Enari Tuala's opening try, and a late Matt Burton intercept, the Roosters had the Bulldogs covered. Standing opposite Tuala, Daniel Tupou was a natural target for Sam Walker's chipped and dinked kicks – putting a pair of tries on a platter for the veteran. Between Tupou's first two tries came a rough and tumble grind the Roosters slowly gained the ascendancy of. Thanks to Whyte. The big man's first try was fortuitous, a late Angus Crichton offload falling his way when Canterbury's line couldn't be cracked. But Whyte's second was a front-rower's dream – with Lachlan Galvin a bug on his windshield and carried for five metres to the tryline, along with three of his teammates. Loading The Bulldogs' rally came all too late from 26-6 down. After the Roosters had dominated the physical exchanges for an hour, Canterbury found their shoulders and hammered the Roosters into errors. Each error that left them defending deep in their own end was covered by scramble defence, though. And Canterbury turned balls over as they pushed passes and chased points. Tempers frayed along the way too – with Sam Hughes and Max King both on report for high shots, though Billy Smith may have the most to worry about for an ugly cannonball tackle. Otherwise for the Roosters, who finished in style as Tupou claimed his third try of the evening, life is looking pretty good. 9.55pm on Aug 15, 2025 Tupou completes hat-trick as Roosters march into top eight That's the cherry on top for the Roosters and Daniel Tupou, who dives over for his hat-trick try in the left corner after some lovely passing from Sam Walker and James Tedesco. Tupou is now past 180 tries and closing in on Billy Slater's career tally of 190. Tupou is 34 years old but has still got it. Walker meanwhile can do no wrong and fades his right-foot conversion in from the left touchline, capping a dream night for the Roosters. It's hard to believe they came into tonight's game sitting ninth on the ladder, but they'll leapfrog the Dolphins and Sharks – at least for now – and climb into seventh place. Roosters beat Bulldogs 32-12 at Allianz Stadium 9.50pm on Aug 15, 2025 Roosters defence comes up trumps again Great defence again from the Roosters now – the Bulldogs go left, the Roosters defence slides, Mark Nawaqanitawase holds his spot on the wing, and when the ball finds Jacob Kiraz the Tricolours swarm to tackle him over the sideline. Another penalty for a high tackle against the Bulldogs, this time on Max King, but after Roosters players run in again referee Grant Atkins has words with Tricolours skipper James Tedesco. If another Roosters player runs in for a bit of argy bargy they'll be spending the final minutes of this one in the sin bin. Meanwhile time has just about run out on the Bulldogs tonight. Roosters lead 26-12 with five minutes left 9.43pm on Aug 15, 2025 Bulldogs go close, then take pressure off with Hughes high shot Another Roosters error now, Mark Nawaqanitawase doing well to bring down a bomb then beat the attempted tackle of Viliame Kikau, only to lose his grip on the ball while getting tackled. It gives the Bulldogs a new set 10 metres out from the Roosters' line – another try here could make this a very interesting finish. It's not a great set from the Bulldogs, but it finishes well when they go through the hands to the left, and Jacob Kiraz kicks ahead and tackles Hugo Savala in the in-goal. But this time Savala's dropout is a short one, which goes off Stephen Crichton's legs and ends up in the hands of Spencer Leniu. The Roosters have it back, and Billy Smith is hit high by Sam Hughes on the following play. The Roosters don't like it and players are rushing in from everywhere. The referee calms things down and it's a penalty to the Roosters. 9.33pm on Aug 15, 2025 Burton intercept gives Bulldogs some hope A better kick from Lachie Galvin this time – once again it's caught easily by Daniel Tupou, but this time he takes it in the field of play and is shoved into the in-goal by the swarming Bulldogs defenders. The dropout gives Canterbury a much-needed repeat set, but it ends when Matt Burton's grubber is easily defused by Mark Nawaqanitawase. Both wingers have been great for the Roosters tonight, as have both halves, and their props – across the board really they've been excellent. Angus Crichton has been a handful on the left edge, Victor Radley has shown some real class with his short passing in the middle, and the Tricolours' defence has been great. But now… a rare mistake. And it's a costly one – Hugo Savala throwing an intercept pass for the very quick Matt Burton who streams clear to beat Nawaqanitawase to the tryline. Stephen Crichton nails the conversion. 9.25pm on Aug 15, 2025 Galvin gets it wrong, Walker gets it right as Tupou scores again Everything's going the Roosters' way now – so much so that even when the Bulldogs get a trip upfield via a penalty and Lachlan Galvin puts up an attacking bomb, it backfires. Galvin's bomb is a little too deap, Daniel Tupou takes it in the in-goal, and charges upfield to take a quick 20-metre tap. The Roosters charge down into Canterbury territory with their seven-tackle set, and on the last, another perfect Sam Walker kick is on the spot for Tupou to leap over Enari Tuala and score his second. All too easy. Roosters lead 24-6 with 25 minutes left 9.15pm on Aug 15, 2025 Whyte crashes over for his second and the Dogs are in trouble A rare error from Connor Tracey, who makes a meal of a Hugo Savala bomb, gives the Roosters another shot at the Bulldogs line. And they go in again, Naufahu Whyte running off Sam Walker and carrying three Canterbury defenders over the tryline with a bullocking run. The Roosters scored 64 points last week. They won't match that tonight but they are every chance of running away with another big win, even against this excellent Bulldogs defence. Roosters lead 20-6 after 47 minutes 9.12pm on Aug 15, 2025 Burton blunder then a cracker from Crichton The second half is underway and once again Matt Burton looks to hammer a long 40-20 – but it's a little off target and Mark Nawaqanitawase makes a big play, planting a foot over the sideline before taking it on the full – and the Roosters get possession well inside Bulldogs territory. The Roosters attack to the left but Billy Smith is wrapped up by a great Stephen Crichton tackle that spills the ball free. Roosters lead 14-6 after 43 minutes 9.03pm on Aug 15, 2025 Half-time stats snapshot: Roosters well on top 8.54pm on Aug 15, 2025 Roosters with all the momentum at the break It's all Roosters now. Five-eighth Hugo Savala makes a half break, then Sam Walker puts up another testing bomb, Mark Nawaqanitawase taps it back, and James Tedesco kicks for the in-goal to force another dropout. The Bulldogs kick it long and hold on for the final few seconds, and will be happy to go into the half-time break. Roosters lead 14-6 at half-time
