LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs triumphed over the Parramatta Eels with a convincing 30-12 victory in the i4Give Cup on King's Birthday, as reported by bulldogs.com.au.
This win marked their tenth of the season, solidifying their position at the top of the NRL ladder midway through 2025.
The match attracted a significant crowd of 59,878, who braved cold weather at Accor Stadium.
An early opportunity arose for Parramatta due to a dropped ball by the Bulldogs.
However, Matt Burton quickly turned the tables, intercepting a pass and scoring the first try, with Crichton converting to put Canterbury ahead 6-0 within nine minutes.
Shortly after, a mistake from Josh Addo-Carr allowed Parramatta to capitalize.
Zac Lomax intercepted, leading to a long-range try by Mitchell Moses, with Lomax leveling the match at 6-6 after 13 minutes.
A head-high tackle from the kick-off initially put the Bulldogs on the backfoot, yet a crucial tackle by Crichton prevented the Eels from taking the lead by keeping Isaiah Iongi in touch.
The Bulldogs soon regained their momentum, demonstrating quick offensive play that culminated in a try for Marcelo Montoya, facilitated by Burton and Bronson Xerri.
Crichton's conversion extended the Bulldogs' lead to 12-6 at the 20-minute mark.
This thrilling encounter not only showcased the Bulldogs' resilience and strategic execution but also highlighted the passion of the fans who supported them through challenging conditions.