NRL: Bulldogs cement second spot

The Bulldogs recovered from a poor start to consolidate second spot on the NRL ladder with a gutsy 26-18 win over South Sydney at ANZ Stadium tonight.

Trailing 12-0 after 14 minutes and by eight points at halftime, the Bulldogs recovered to post 16 unanswered second half points.

The loss dealt a big blow to the Rabbitohs' finals hopes, leaving them three points outside eighth spot with a tough run home.

Down 18-10 at halftime, the Bulldogs hit the front just after the hour following tries to wingers Hazem El Masri and Bryson Goodwin.

El Masri, who finished with 16 points, kept a Brett Kimmorley kick in play and pounced on the loose ball after it was spilt by Souths five-eighth John Sutton.

Goodwin notched his 16th try in 17 games when he showed amazing savvy and skill to touch down in the left corner, despite being tackled and having virtually no room to move.

The Bulldogs continued to dominate and went further ahead 10 minutes out from fulltime when second rower Gary Warburton scored their fifth try.

It was a far cry from the Bulldogs' horrid start when they trailed 12-0 following converted tries to fullback Nathan Merritt and lock David Fa'alogo.

The Bulldogs, who missed 10 tackles inside the first quarter of the match, rallied to get within two points following tries to centre Josh Morris and El Masri.

Souths carved out their eight point halftime advantage after halfback Chris Sandow converted a try he set up for centre Beau Champion.

Souths prop Luke Stuart was placed on report for a first-half tackle on David Stagg in the leadup to El Masri's first try, but the wrong man appeared to be booked.

Ben Lowe and Issac Luke were involved in the incident, in which the Bulldogs forward's head made contact with the ground.

- AAP