Josh Curran penalty stuns fans as Bulldogs outlast Eels 16-8

Canterbury have opened their 2025 NRL season with three straight wins for the first time since 2012, downing a vastly improved Parramatta side 16-8 in a fiery clash at CommBank Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

In a game filled with strange moments and gritty defence, it was Josh Curran’s bizarre penalty for impersonating a referee that stole headlines.

With the $1.35 bookmaker favourites up by six in the first half, Curran yelled “offside!” at Parramatta’s Matt Doorey, who hesitated just long enough for the Bulldogs to gain an advantage.

Referee Wyatt Raymond didn’t miss it, awarding the Eels a penalty and explaining, “That’s against the spirit of the game.”

While the Eels couldn’t capitalise on the call, the moment sparked debate, with even Canterbury Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo admitting post-game: “I’ve never seen it before… I’ll have to get some clarity on that.”

NRL Round 3: Eels v Bulldogs highlights

Ciraldo’s men were far from perfect but showed they could win ugly, grinding their way to a result despite missing key men Matt Burton and Viliame Kikau.

Bailey Hayward impressed in his first start at five-eighth, while winger Blake Wilson provided the highlight with a stunning aerial try in the first half that proved crucial.

Parramatta Eels, reeling from back-to-back losses to open the year, fought hard and looked the better side for most of the second half.

Former Bulldog Josh Addo-Carr, loudly booed throughout, made his return from suspension and crossed in the corner to cut the margin to six.

“It’s all love,” Addo-Carr told ABC Sport after the match.

“They’re passionate, just like the Parramatta supporters. I felt the love and I felt the rivalry — that’s what you want, entertainment.”

• 

  Fast Payouts

A late shoulder charge from Kitione Kautoga on Stephen Crichton gifted the Bulldogs a penalty goal in the final minute, sealing the match and keeping Canterbury undefeated.

“I’m stoked with the effort,” Ciraldo said.

“We didn’t win it on smarts, but we’ll take lessons from this and be better next time.”

Eels coach Jason Ryles was left encouraged by his side’s resilience.

“Not enough polish, but a much better fight,” he said. “If we reproduce that effort, we’ll turn things around.”

The Bulldogs now sit second on the ladder, while the Eels remain winless and the top rugby league betting sites have Eels priced at $4 to win the wooden spoon.

Sports news