LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
In a gripping encounter, the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs fell to the reigning premiers, Penrith Panthers, with a score of 8-6 at CommBank Stadium.
The match showcased an unmatched intensity, where a singular penalty goal ultimately decided the outcome.
Although the Bulldogs did not secure the win, they demonstrated resilience and grit against a team that has dominated the league for the past five years.
The Bulldogs' game began on a challenging note as prop Daniel Suluka-Fifita suffered a head knock in the opening tackle.
Despite passing a health assessment, he was sidelined for the remainder of the match due to displaying category one symptoms.
Matt Burton nearly opened the scoring for the Bulldogs with a clever move through the defensive line, only to be thwarted by a try-saving tackle from Dylan Edwards, pushing him out of bounds.
Shortly thereafter, the Panthers also threatened to score, but Connor Tracey made an impressive one-on-one tackle on Blaize Talagi, preventing a guaranteed try.
Overall, the game was marked by defensive prowess and competitive spirit, underscoring the Bulldogs' potential and determination even in defeat.