1. The Bulldogs won it with their defence in the first half.
It was a 20-minute period just before half-time that could define Canterbury's season. Leading 12-0, you could excuse them for slackening off in defence, but they lifted. Manly had all the ball leading into the break, attacking the Canterbury try line. But the Bulldogs held them out. If they had cracked, they would have likely invited Manly back into the contest.
2. Manly could miss the finals.
Not many people have contemplated that thought, but the Sea Eagles are in danger of missing out on the play-offs. They could slump to eighth at the end of the round if the Tigers enjoy a big win against the Cowboys on Monday night. They have three tough games against the Warriors, Cowboys and Rabbitohs.
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3. The Bulldogs desperately need Kris Keating back next week.
Keating left the field mid-way through the first half with a hamstring injury, forcing the Bulldogs to play with just one recognised playmaker. But if he's to miss an extended period, Canterbury will struggle. Trent Hodkinson is out for the season with a shoulder injury, which means Joel Romelo may have to make the step-up next week.
4. Des Hasler is public enemy No.1 in Manly.
No surprise to see the former Sea Eagles coach heckled. When he got to the away coach's box at kick-off, he copped a verbal spray from a Manly fan, who repeatedly yelled out ''Judas''. Another female fan made her way up from the bottom tier of the stand just to give Hasler the finger and exchange a few expletives.
5. Sam Kasiano would have been better off accepting the one-match ban.
Kasiano and the Bulldogs went to the NRL judiciary on Wednesday night to fight a high tackle charge on Parramatta's Fuifui Moimoi that would've seen him miss last night's game. He lasted just 10 minutes last night after a head clash with Jason King that left him with a suspected fractured cheekbone.
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/five-things-we-learnt-from-last-nights-game-20120720-22fzn.html#ixzz21CtSSqR7
It was a 20-minute period just before half-time that could define Canterbury's season. Leading 12-0, you could excuse them for slackening off in defence, but they lifted. Manly had all the ball leading into the break, attacking the Canterbury try line. But the Bulldogs held them out. If they had cracked, they would have likely invited Manly back into the contest.
2. Manly could miss the finals.
Not many people have contemplated that thought, but the Sea Eagles are in danger of missing out on the play-offs. They could slump to eighth at the end of the round if the Tigers enjoy a big win against the Cowboys on Monday night. They have three tough games against the Warriors, Cowboys and Rabbitohs.
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3. The Bulldogs desperately need Kris Keating back next week.
Keating left the field mid-way through the first half with a hamstring injury, forcing the Bulldogs to play with just one recognised playmaker. But if he's to miss an extended period, Canterbury will struggle. Trent Hodkinson is out for the season with a shoulder injury, which means Joel Romelo may have to make the step-up next week.
4. Des Hasler is public enemy No.1 in Manly.
No surprise to see the former Sea Eagles coach heckled. When he got to the away coach's box at kick-off, he copped a verbal spray from a Manly fan, who repeatedly yelled out ''Judas''. Another female fan made her way up from the bottom tier of the stand just to give Hasler the finger and exchange a few expletives.
5. Sam Kasiano would have been better off accepting the one-match ban.
Kasiano and the Bulldogs went to the NRL judiciary on Wednesday night to fight a high tackle charge on Parramatta's Fuifui Moimoi that would've seen him miss last night's game. He lasted just 10 minutes last night after a head clash with Jason King that left him with a suspected fractured cheekbone.
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/five-things-we-learnt-from-last-nights-game-20120720-22fzn.html#ixzz21CtSSqR7
