Bulldogs pushing for top four spot after Warriors win | NRL

The Canterbury Bulldogs have given themselves a chance of securing a top-four spot heading into the NRL finals next month, with the club recording an impressive 34-18 win away against the New Zealand Warriors on Friday night.

The Kiwis were seeing off star playmaker Shaun Johnson, who was playing his final home game on Friday after announcing that he will retire at the end of the 2024 season.

New Zealand started strong, running in two quick tries to take a 12-0 lead, and another close to the hooter to lead 18-16 at half-time.

Canterbury did well to defuse the emotions of the situation and shut out the Warriors in the second half, however.

Three tries in the second quarter began their momentum, with another four added after the break.

The honours were shared among some of the Bulldogs’ regular tryscorers, with bookmaker favourites Stephen Crichton and Josh Addo-Carr among the action.

Bulldogs draw level with Sharks and Roosters

The win sees the Canterbury Bulldogs claim two more competition points, and more to 34 points on the NRL ladder.

They now draw level with the Sydney Roosters and Cronulla Sharks, who are yet to play their round 25 matches.

NRL bookmakers put the Bulldogs as a $3 chance of making the top four.

This is an improvement on their odds of $4 last week, but still has them as underdogs, with the Sharks at $1.30 to make it, and the Roosters at $1.02 with Neds bookmaker.

The Bulldogs have a challenging final two matches, with top eight sides the Manly Sea Eagles and North Queensland Cowboys to come.

Cronulla play the St George Illawarra Dragons away this Sunday, before hosting the Warriors and then going to Manly to take on the Sea Eagles.

The Roosters have an easier run into the finals, hence their short odds.

This Sunday they take on the 13th-placed Gold Coast Titans. They then face 12th-placed Canberra Raiders before finishing against the 15th-placed South Sydney Rabbitohs.

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