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Sexton steers 'Dogs to within sight of top four after downing Dragons

Toby Sexton continued his late season revival to spearhead Canterbury to a 26-10 defeat of the Dragons that has the Bulldogs within sight of a top four finals berth.

Sexton, who spent the first 11 rounds in NSW Cup before being given a chance at halfback, laid on two first half tries for centre Bronson Xerri as the Bulldogs stormed to a 20-10 halftime lead at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium.

The visitors only scored one second half try but they produced a second half shut out of the Dragons that all but ensures their first finals appearance since 2016.

Just two points behind the Roosters and Sharks, who are on 32 points, Canterbury face the Dolphins, Warriors, Sea Eagles and Cowboys in the run to the play-offs, with a trip to Auckland being their only game away from home.

Bronson Xerri 1st Try

Canterbury five-eighth Matt Burton grabbed the opening try in just the fourth minute after intercepting a Ben Hunt pass and racing 80 metres to score. 

A Burton penalty goal extended Canterbury's lead to 8-0 but the Dragons hit back in the 23rd minute after winger Zac Lomax beat Josh Addo-Carr to a grubber kick from Ben Hunt to score.

Zac Lomax Try

However, a forward pass from five-eighth Kyle Flanagan to Hunt gave the Bulldogs field position and Bulldogs centre Bronson Xerri swooped on a perfectly weighted grubber kick from halfback Toby Sexton into the Dragons in-goal.

The pair combined again for Xerri to score again in the 30th minute after a bullet-like Sexton pass sent him racing into a gap near the St George Illawarra try line.

Dragons fullback Tyrell Sloan got the home side back into the match just before halftime when he sprinted into the clear to score after receiving an inside ball from second-rower Luciano Leilua. 

Tyrell Sloan Try

Former St George Illawarra utility Kurt Mann extended Canterbury's lead to 26-10 in the 70th minute after pirouetting out of the tackle of Blake Lawrie near the Dragons line and crashing over for the only try of the second half.

Match snapshot

  • Dragons prop Hame Sele was taken to hospital after staff detected an irregular heartbeat when he came from the field following an opening 22-minute stint. 
  • St George Illawarra centre Moses Suli also failed to finish the match with a foot injury.
  • Bulldogs five-eighth Matt Burton bought up his 500th NRL point with a 14th minute penalty goal after scoring an earlier try and kicking the conversion.
  • Dragons fullback Tyrell Sloan was placed on report for tripping.
  • Bulldogs centre Bronson Xerris has scored six tries in his last six matches.
  • The Dragons have lost four of their past five games against the Bulldogs.
  • Bulldogs second-rower Viliame Kikau made his 150th NRL appearance.

Netstrata Jubilee Stadium is a scene this Saturday

Play of the game

Bronson Xerri 2nd Try

What they said

Dragons: Round 23

Bulldogs: Round 23

 

Acknowledgement of Country

National Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.