LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
The Parramatta Eels were left licking their wounds after a tough 22-18 loss to the Bulldogs at Accor Stadium on Monday.
Despite a valiant effort, the Eels were unable to overcome the spirited Bulldogs in the annual King's Birthday clash.
A strong Parramatta performance was overshadowed by the Bulldogs' resilience, as they capitalized on a crucial sin-binning to Kurt Mann in the second half.
The Bulldogs rallied in the final 15 minutes to secure a last-minute victory, leaving the Eels with a bitter taste in their mouths.
The defeat marked a bittersweet end to Clint Gutherson's 200th NRL game, as the Eels faltered in the closing stages.
The Eels started the game on the front foot, with Blaize Talagi's spectacular finish giving them an early lead.
Talagi's lightning pace and skillful finish caught the Bulldogs off guard, as he darted over in the corner to put the Eels ahead.
Despite their early dominance, the Eels were unable to maintain their momentum and were ultimately outplayed by the Bulldogs.
It was a tough pill to swallow for the Eels, but they will regroup and come back stronger in their next game.