NRL Highlights: Dragons v Bulldogs – Round 1
Round 1 of the 2025 NRL season kicked off with an exciting match between the St. George Illawarra Dragons and the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs. Both teams entered the game eager to make a strong statement early in the year, setting the stage for a thrilling encounter at the WIN Stadium in Wollongong. Fans from both sides were treated to a captivating display of attacking rugby league, full of intensity and momentum shifts.
Early Dominance by the Bulldogs
The Bulldogs came out of the blocks firing, dominating possession and field position early in the match. Their forward pack, led by star prop Addo-Carr, established a strong platform, with quick play-the-balls and aggressive runs causing trouble for the Dragons’ defense. The opening 10 minutes were all Bulldogs, as they consistently pressured the Dragons’ line.
It didn’t take long for Canterbury to capitalize on their early dominance. In the 13th minute, they broke the deadlock with a well-executed try. Fullback Jake Averillo made a scintillating run down the right edge, attracting the attention of the Dragons’ defenders, before offloading to winger Jacob Kiraz, who found space and crossed over for the first try of the game. With the conversion successful, the Bulldogs led 6-0.
Dragons Respond with Aggression
The Dragons, however, weren’t going to roll over that easily. Their response came in the 20th minute, as they began to find their rhythm. Dragons halfback Ben Hunt, as always, played a pivotal role in orchestrating their attack. After some strong runs by their forwards, Hunt produced a brilliant kick to the corner, where young winger Moses Mbye dived acrobatically to score in the corner. The conversion attempt by Zac Lomax hit the post, but the Dragons had narrowed the Bulldogs’ lead to 6-4.
The Dragons were now growing in confidence. Their defense was solidifying, and they were making inroads in attack. The combination between Hunt and Lomax began to click, and they began to exploit gaps in the Bulldogs’ defensive line. Despite the Bulldogs’ strong early showing, the momentum was now shifting toward the home team.
Momentum Swing: Dragons Take Control
By the 30-minute mark, the Dragons had seized control of the game. Their forward pack was beginning to lay the platform for their playmakers to thrive. The Bulldogs’ defensive line was looking increasingly vulnerable as the Dragons started to pepper their edges with high-quality attacking sets.
In the 32nd minute, the Dragons capitalized on a Bulldogs error. A loose pass from Canterbury’s pivot was intercepted by Dragons center Zac Lomax, who showed incredible speed and awareness to take off and race 50 meters down the field. As he approached the try line, he handed the ball off to winger Mbye, who completed the play with his second try of the match. The successful conversion from Lomax gave the Dragons a 10-6 lead.
Now in the driver’s seat, the Dragons kept the pressure on. They continued to execute clean attacking plays, keeping the Bulldogs on the back foot. Their defense remained solid, and despite a couple of attacking raids from the Bulldogs, the Dragons held their ground.
Bulldogs Fight Back Before the Break
Just before halftime, the Bulldogs mounted one last challenge. With a sense of urgency building, they finally cracked the Dragons’ defense once again in the 38th minute. A stunning long ball from Bulldogs halfback Jake Averillo found his winger, Kiraz, on the left edge, who sprinted away to score his second try of the match. The conversion by Matt Burton leveled the score at 12-12, sending both teams into the halftime break locked in an intense contest.
Second Half: Tight and Tactical
The second half was set to be a battle of attrition, with both teams knowing the importance of a strong start after the break. The Bulldogs began the half with renewed energy and urgency, but the Dragons’ defense stood firm, refusing to concede any easy tries. Both teams traded sets early on, with neither able to gain a significant advantage.
However, in the 50th minute, the Dragons again began to find the upper hand. Ben Hunt’s kicking game was a weapon, repeatedly forcing the Bulldogs into their own half. On the back of sustained pressure, the Dragons eventually broke the deadlock when Hunt’s precision kick into the in-goal area was pounced on by forward Francis Molo, who grounded the ball to score. The try gave the Dragons an 18-12 lead.
Bulldogs Push for a Late Comeback
The Bulldogs, desperate to get back into the game, launched a final offensive. With less than 10 minutes left on the clock, they threw everything they had at the Dragons’ defense. Canterbury’s attack became more frantic, and while they made some strong inroads, they just couldn’t break the Dragons’ wall. The Dragons, led by the leadership of Ben Hunt and the defensive efforts of players like Jack de Belin, held firm in the face of constant pressure.
Despite a late flurry of attacks from the Bulldogs, the Dragons held on for a crucial 18-12 victory. The win was a strong start to their 2025 season, and a hard-fought victory to build momentum as the season progresses.
Key Players and Standout Performances
- Ben Hunt (Dragons): Hunt was instrumental in his team’s success, controlling the tempo of the match with his kicking game and providing the key assists in attack. His leadership was crucial, and he showed why he is one of the NRL’s top halfbacks.
- Moses Mbye (Dragons): Scoring two tries and contributing in both attack and defense, Mbye was a standout performer for the Dragons. His work rate and positioning were exemplary.
- Jacob Kiraz (Bulldogs): Scoring two tries for the Bulldogs, Kiraz was one of the few bright spots for the visitors, showing his speed and ability to finish in the corner.
Conclusion
The Dragons’ 18-12 victory over the Bulldogs was a gripping encounter, full of intensity, resilience, and high-quality rugby league. Both teams showed plenty of promise, but it was the Dragons who came out on top, thanks to their stronger defense and clinical playmaking. For the Bulldogs, there are areas to improve, particularly in defense, but their attacking play showed glimpses of what they can offer in 2025.
