Bulldogs run roughshod over Dragons

The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs have claimed their second victory under the guidance of head coach Des Hasler, finishing 30-4 winners over the St George Illawarra Dragons in front of a good crowd at ANZ Stadium of 29,641.

Josh Morris was the stand out as he crossed the whitewash three times for the Bulldogs. The first of his amazing efforts came in the 7th minute as he ended a messy set with four points. He linked with Trent Hodkinson to put the Bulldogs on the scoreboard. Steve Turner started a perfect night with his first conversion, taking the home side to a 6-0 lead.

It didn't take long for Morris to see his name on the big screen again as he crossed for a second time, after breaking into a hole in the Dragons' defensive line. Ben Barba this time aided his effort to get over the stripe. Turner again no issue with the boot, to give the Bulldogs a 12-0 lead after 20 minutes.

The Dragons managed only one try in the contest and it was from created by another Morris, as Josh's Dragon twin brother Brett set up Kyle Stanley for a four-pointer to get the Dragons on the scoresheet. The try was gifted to Stanley as the inside pass was collected neatly before he dived through the Bulldogs line to score. After 28 minutes, Bulldogs were 12-4 leaders.

Three tries in thirty minutes is something special - and Josh Morris brought up his third of the night in the 31st minute. A team play saw the ball travel through many hands before Morris found space to cross out wide. The Bulldogs showed no signs of slowing as they hit halftime with an emphatic score of 18-4.

Things started to heat up when Michael Weyman was placed on report for a high shot on Bulldog Corey Payne in the second half. Weyman will have a case to answer later in the week. He was not the only one in the Red V to see the arms raised from the referee - late in the game Lesson Ah Mau joined Weyman as he was placed on report for a shoulder charge.

Regardless of the indiscretions from the Dragons, the Bulldogs remained composed as they ended the match with Greg Eastwood's power seeing him over line. Steve Turner's boot was magic, the winger finishing with 5 from 5 conversions. The Dragons were not happy with the performance as they went down by the full time siren 30-4.

Both sides have a big task at hand when they look ahead to Round 3 of NRL action as the Dragons return home to WIN Jubilee to face the Wests Tigers, whilst the Bulldogs jump on a plane to cross the Tasman to clash with the Warriors.

Match Details
Canterbury Bulldogs 30 defeated St George Illawarra Dragons 4
National Rugby League - Round 2 - Saturday March 10, 2012 7:30pm
Venue: ANZ Stadium
Referee: Matt Cecchin and Ashley Klein
Video Referee: Sean Hampstead
Touch Judges: Paul Holland and Grant Atkins
Crowd: 29,641
Halftime: Canterbury Bulldogs 18 St George Illawarra Dragons 4

Leagueunlimited.com players of the match:
3 Points - Josh Morris (3 Tries)
2 Points - David Stagg
1 Point - Greg Eastwood (1 Try)

CANTERBURY BULLDOGS (30)
Tries: Josh Morris (3), Bryson Goodwin, Greg Eastwood
Conversions: Steve Turner (5/5)

ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS (4)
Tries: Kyle Stanley
Conversions: Jamie Soward (0/1)

LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary Join the conversation - follow LeagueUnlimited on Twitter and tweet about the match using the Official Hashtag = #NRLcbysti.

You can also discuss the match with thousands of other fans in our Game Day Forums - click here. Good evening league fans, we welcome you to the second big game on Super Saturday for Round 2 of 2012.

A few team changes for both sides. Firstly for the Bulldogs, Greg Eastwood comes into the starting side for the suspended Frank Pritchard. That means Martin Taupau will claim the final bench spot.

As for the Dragons Nathan Green gets a starting spot in his first grade debut as Matt Cooper drops out of the game. Another positional change with Jack De Belin swapping out with Dean Young who will start off the bench.

Earlier tonight in Toyota Cup action, the Bulldogs were the victors 32-24 over the Dragons.
1 min: We are underway from ANZ Stadium with the Bulldogs kicking off with Bryson Goodwin.
2 min: Both sides getting through their first sets of the match. Looking composed and controlled in the centre of the field
4 min: First penalty of the match going against the Dragons for player not placing his foot on the ball in ruck. Bulldogs with a great chance to open the scoring.
5 min: Ben Barba looking for a running on the outside with a kick going deep into the in goal area but the ball racing away from Bryson Goodwin. Dragons come away with that without any points conceded. 20 metre tap for the red V.
6 min: KNOCK ON!. Creagh contest the bomb of Jamie Soward looking for a re-gather but only getting a hand to it. Bulldogs will get the ball deep inside their half.
7 min: And in one play the Bulldogs go 60 metres thanks to the get work of Ben Barba and Sam Kasino
7 min: TRY
TRY! Bulldogs
Josh Morris on the end of a messy set from the Bulldogs as it started with a kick right across field. Trent Hodkinson keeping the play alive to set up Morris. Steve Turner from the sideline having no issue with the kick as he hooked it between the posts.
Canterbury Bulldogs 6-0
12 min: Bulldogs are winning the metres game early on with a kick on the end of the set going deep into the Dragons half. There completion rate for the Bulldogs stands perfect at 6/6. Dragons will have a scrum feed on their 10 metre line.
13 min: Penalty for the Dragons which sees them march up field. Bulldogs needed to hold them deep in their half. However Dragons will have a full set from the Dogs 40 metre line.
14 min: KNOCK ON! Youngest under pressure and losing control of the ball. Bulldogs escape the attacking raid of the Dragons. Scrum feed on their 10 metre line.
16 min: Good set from the Dragons finding from holes in the Bulldogs line. But Bulldogs will have the ball their 20 metre line following a kick downfield from Soward.
18 min: Ennis kicks on the last for the Bulldogs with a deep kick downfield with Brett Morris returning it away from his goal line.
19 min: Another penalty against the Dragons for the same infringement from earlier in the match. Player pinged for not playing the ball in the ruck with the foot. Could be a costly mistaken
20 min: TRY
TRY! Bulldogs
Josh Morris finds a hole in the Dragons line to collect his second of the match. Ben Barba throwing the ball across the line to put Morris through. Steve Turner again no issue with the boot.
Canterbury Bulldogs 12-0
23 min: KNOCK ON! James Graham making an error on the back of points. Simple mistake to give the Dragons a scrum feed on the Bulldogs 30 metre line.
24 min: KNOCK ON! Dragons looking for points diving into the Bulldogs line but losing control of the ball. Bulldogs lucky not to concede points from that set. They will get the ball deep in their own half.
25 min: Penalty for a strip now. Referee deemed there was two in the tackle. Matt Prior with the charge down to get the ball.
25 min: Another mistake from the Dragons, they are not looking themselves in their opening 25 minutes.Bulldogs looking good as they get another scrum feed on their 20.
27 min: Penalty to the Dragons, Nathan Green getting the fast play of the ball and taking it up. Bulldogs caught offside as they jumped too early.
28 min: Video Referee Decision pending for the Dragons. Possible try to Kyle Stanley.
28 min: TRY
TRY! DragonsBrett Morris with a miracle effort to offload back on the inside to his fullback in Kyle Stanley. Wonderful pick up and diving over the line. Jamie Soward fails to convert pushing to across the face of the goals.
Canterbury Bulldogs 12-4
31 min: KNOCK ON, Dean Young losing the ball. Bulldogs pick it up and gain an advantage. Zero tackle called from the officials. Bulldogs attacking just inside the Dragons half.
31 min: TRY
TRY! Bulldogs
The Bulldogs getting back at the Dragons following their try. Morris goes over for this third. Great play from the dogs to get quick hands across field to link with Morris to score. Turner converts.
Canterbury Bulldogs 18-4
32 min: Bulldogs with a massive mistake off the kick restart as Reynolds tries to catch the ball but losing it. Worst way to back up from points. Dragons will go on the attack.
35 min: Josh Morris has been on fire doing it all. Morris picking the ball up quick as it rolled over the dead ball line to give the Bulldogs a quick 20 metre tap.
37 min: Not a good end for the Bulldogs as Michael Ennis kicks the ball out on the full on the end of their set. Dragons with the ball just inside their own half.
38 min: Penalty to the Dragons for James Graham having a second dig in the tackle. Dragons with a big chance to get on the board again before the break. Attacking inside the Bulldogs 20
38 min: Dean Young out of dummy half looking for a good play but Trent Merrin failed to hold the ball. Bulldogs with the scrum feed on their 10 metre line.
40 min: Half time here at ANZ Stadium with the Bulldogs on fire.
Bulldogs are controlling all factors in this game. Josh Morris has been the key stand out for the dogs in the opening 40 minutes. He has been explosive not only the scoreboard but running the ball up and returning it from the dead ball line to give the Dogs quick 20 metre tap.

Tonight the Dragons have been uncharacteristic with error and penalties in the ruck. However on a positive note the only try they scored was a miracle play from Brett Morris to put Kyle Stanley over. Regardless they need to pick themselves up and move on into the second half. They had chances in the opening 40 minutes but costly errors saw them going begging.

If the Bulldogs continue as they did early they will add to the 18 points already on the board.
40 min: Back underway here at ANZ Stadium with the Dragons kicking off through the boot of Ben Hornby. Bulldogs will look to continue their great first half.
41 min: Dragons showing some promise in that set with the ball movement going wide to Brett Morris. But not finding any points on the end of it with Morris grubbing straight into the Bulldogs defenders.
43 min: Time off here with Nathan Green down for the Dragons after being collected by the much bigger Martin Taupau. Video Referee will have a look at this one.
43 min: Penalty to the Dragons for a high shot from Martin Taupau on Nathan Green who will not be taken off the field by the Dragons. Taupau was not placed on report.
44 min: Jamie Soward flying for the high ball but allowed to bounce away from Green and dived on by the Bulldogs on their goal line. Corey Payne with a big run to start their set.
45 min: Dragons concede another penalty as Ben Creagh raking the ball from the arms of Dene Halatau. Dogs have a good chance to extend their lead attacking inside the Dragons 30 metre line.
45 min: Dragons concede another penalty as Ben Creagh raking the ball from the arms of Dene Halatau. Dogs have a good chance to extend their lead attacking inside the Dragons 30 metre line.
48 min: Penalty to the Bulldogs after the Dragons looked for points inside the Dogs half.
49 min: Video Referee for the Bulldogs, possible Goodwin try.
49 min: TRY
TRY! Bulldogs
A wonderful solo effort for Bryson Goodwin going down the sideline to kick for himself to dive over the line for the Bulldogs fourth of the night. Steve Turner great with the boot to convert.
Canterbury Bulldogs 24-4
51 min: Michael Weyman has been placed on report for a high shot on Corey Payne. Weyman losing his cool in the tackle. Bulldogs get the penalty as a result and attack on half way.
55 min: Brett Morris looking to create something from nothing with a chip and chase but it was collected by Ben Barba. No support from the Dragons backing. Bulldogs with the ball on their 30 metre line.
56 min: Josh Reynolds playing to the whistle and keeping the play alive with a kick downfield looking for his own points but collected at the back by Kyle Stanley.
56 min: KNOCK ON! Dragons lacking some communication in that set with the ball coming free.
58 min: Brett Morris showing great work to collect the ball on the full off the kick in goals and then to run it out. Not only that he earnt his side a penalty for catching the Bulldogs inside the 10 metres. Things getting fiery with players coming together but nothing coming of it. Play continues.
60 min: The ball all over the place in the last set, with Bryson Goodwin leaping high to try and collect the ball, however as he came to ground the referee deeming he knocked on. Dragons get a scrum feed as a result on their 10 metre line.
62 min: Jamie Soward thrown a poor pass out wide to the sideline and a kick going downfield with Morris chasing but collected by Barba at the back.
64 min: Some better defence from the Dragons forcing the Bulldogs to kick downfield from inside their own half.
65 min: Video referee decision coming for the Bulldogs
65 min: NO TRY! Video referee ruling knock on against the Bulldogs. Dragons will attack from a scrum 30 metres out.
Official crowd figure for this clash has been posted at 29,641
66 min: Sam Kasiano earning his pay by knocking out the ball from the Dragons, Bulldogs getting the zero tackle.
66 min: Penalty to the Bulldogs for Leeson Ah Mau throwing a shoulder charge into the tackle. Bulldogs get the ball inside the Dragons half.
68 min: Bulldogs looking spread the ball on the last play but losing it. Scrum packs down for the Dragons on their 10 metre line.
69 min: Jamie Soward looked to create something in the play as he passed to Ben Creagh but he was not ready for it and bounced off him and into touch. Bulldogs with it just inside their half.
70 min: Dragons out on their feet with great defence from the Bulldogs as they earn a drop out with Nathan Green getting caught in goals.
72 min: Josh Reynolds looked for his own four-pointer as he took the Dragons defence on and lost as he lost it going to ground. Dragons win the scrum feed on their 10 metre line.
73 min: The third time tonight the Dragons pinged for not playing the ball correctly. Mitch Rein simply stepped over it without any effort to play it. Bulldogs look for points.
74 min: TRY
TRY! Dragons
Bulldogs making the Dragons pay for the penalty as the video referee awards the try to Greg Eastwood as he showed his power to crash over the line. Steve turner perfect with the boot 5/5
Canterbury Bulldogs 30-4
76 min: Josh Morris has been on fire here tonight as he opened up the Dragons line looking for his fourth of the night. But as he passed out wide to Bryson Goodwin he was ruled forward.
78 min: Michael Ennis looking to control the end of this one as kicked the ball out on the full to give the Dragons one final shot at the Bulldogs line.
79 min: Soward kicked for the in goal area but Ben Hornby was beat to the ball by the Bulldogs. drop out coming for the Dragons.
80 min: Martin Taupau still fired up coming in close to the Dragons but nothing coming of it. This one is over with the Bulldogs leaving ANZ Stadium victors over the Dragons 30-4. Wonderful performance from the Dogs to claim the second win under Des Hasler.