Bulldogs 23
Raiders 20
Only the Bulldogs will know how they came so close to losing this one.
They led 21-10 after typical mesmerising play by Brett Kimmorley, still one of the most influential figures in the NRL. His looping, feinting run to score just before 50 minutes seemed a key piece of action and, at that stage, the Dogs never looked likely to lose.
The Raiders backed off Kimmorley even though he had shredded them in an attack which was denied a try only because lock David Stagg dropped the ball after some pretty passing. In follow-up play, Kimmorley bamboozled the Raiders to score.
That put the second-placed team in the NRL ahead by 21-10 and they appeared to be doing just enough to stay ahead of the visitors without ever pressing the pedal to the metal.
But the Raiders are dogged this year; they turned on a lot of forward pressure - bringing surprisingly soft tries to wingers Phil Graham and Daniel Vidot.
That brought the scores back to 21-20 but, in a key play, Graham knocked on a Bulldogs kick, letting the Dogs close the match out with a late penalty.
Stagg, even though he bombed a try, was a hero with a perpetual motion running and tackling performance; hooker Michael Ennis was a menace with his slick distribution and support play and Ben Roberts had some good touches.
The Bulldogs started quickly, with a try to winger Bryson Goodwin. The Raiders hit back when Terry Campese, with typical flair, re-gathered a grubber kick to score. Kimmorley then weighted his pass perfectly for Stagg. Goodwin had his second try in 20 minutes after a delightful grubber from Roberts.
Bulldogs 23 (B. Goodwin 2, D. Stagg, B. Kimmorley tries, H. El Masri 3 goals, Kimmorley field goal), Canberra 20 (T. Campese, J. Thompson, P. Graham, D. Vidot tries, Campese 2 goals). HT: 15-6.
NRL: Dogs lucky to escape with win
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