Sydney Roosters back-rower Ryan Matterson

Fans are used to seeing free-flowing, attacking games. This one was anything but as the Sydney Roosters defeated the Canterbury Bulldogs 6-0. 

Instead, it was the defence that reigned supreme. Both sides threw a mountain of attack at the other but both held firm.

The resiliency of the Roosters side, who made 104 more tackles in defence, is a testament to their desire.

It appeared the floodgates would open early after Latrell Mitchell scored for the Roosters.

Though the tide stemmed and instead, the Bulldogs had every chance to score points of their own.

With Mitchell controversially sin-binned for a professional foul, the Bulldogs had the advantage.

Though that offensive sparked dogged the Belmore boys as they failed to crack the Roosters line even with a one-man advantage.

The repeat sets and pressure ensued as both sides went tit-for-tat, unable to produce points.

Despite the Bulldogs best efforts, they were simply unable to crack the steely Roosters defence.

The mountain of defensive work took its toll on Roosters players and left them fatigued.

Though it failed to dampen the mood as captain Boyd Cordner simply said it was about digging deep.

“For sure, if that’s what it took,” Cordner said.

“Although we were hurting out there, we just had that feeling that we were just going to keep turning up for each other.

“We defended our line in the first half and just kept turning up as a team.

Although our tackling and some details weren’t as good, the effort from the boys to keep turning up and hold our line and that desire to save the try and do whatever it takes, that was really, really pleasing.”

Despite their inability to get on the scoresheet, Bulldogs coach Dean Pay says his side’s attack is not an issue.

“There wasn’t much in it,” Pay said.

“I just thought from where we were last week I thought we improved again tonight, I really did.

“You can never question their effort. Their effort is fantastic. There were three or four times there where you’re one pass away from scoring.

We got over the line probably four or five times and couldn’t get the ball down.”

Player of the Game:

3. Ryan Matterson

2. Boyd Cordner

  1. Latrell Mitchell

By ricky

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