NRL: Bulldogs on the cusp of unlikely top-four spot

The Canterbury Bulldogs are on the brink of cracking the top four on the NRL ladder after a riveting golden-point victory over the Cronulla Sharks on Friday night in Sydney.

Canterbury got off to a rollicking start in the NRL round 17 clash, running in two quick tries inside the first quarter of an hour.

The Sharks then responded, clawing their way back into the match over the next hour to level the scores at 14 apiece at the end of regular time.

It was a clutch field goal by Matt Burton that saw the Bulldogs bag two competition points. They now sit fifth on the NRL ladder, behind the fourth-placed Sydney Roosters by points differential only.

Bulldogs find form against all odds

The Bulldogs’ season is shaping up to be one that nobody saw coming.

Ahead of the 2024 season beginning, the club paid a long $41 to win the premiership at NRL bookmakers.

They had finished outside the top eight for seven years in a row, languishing between 12th and 16th since 2018.

But now, with six of their remaining 10 matches against non-top eight teams, the Bulldogs have a strong chance to not only make the finals but also secure a top-four finish.

Bookies have changed their tune slightly from their pre-season forecast. However, they’re still hesitant to be too high on the perpetual cellar-dwellers.

Canterbury are now paying $29 to win the 2024 NRL Premiership.

Burton’s boot key for Canterbury

The Bulldogs have Burton to thank for their victory over the Sharks on Friday.

The scrum half was exceptional, nailing both of his conversions, a late penalty, and a field goal.

While Burton was brilliant, this match would have read very differently had Nicho Hynes not had a polar opposite game himself.

Cronulla’s playmaker missed two of three conversions. He then had a prime opportunity to win the match with a field goal 20 metres out, but botched it.

“Nicho Hynes will have to pull himself up off the canvas again, he missed an absolute sitter there that eventually cost them the game,” said NRL legend Cooper Cronk after the game.

Despite the Sharks scoring three tries to two, Canterbury were more clinical with the boot and that’s what mattered come full time.

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