Canterbury have come from behind twice to deny an emotional Shaun Johnson a fairytale farewell in the Warriors veteran’s final game in Auckland.
The Bulldogs defied a spirited, sell-out Mt Smart Stadium crowd to win 34-18 and close the gap on Cronulla and the Sydney Roosters in the race for the top four.
The Bulldogs celebrate a first-half try by Kurtis Morrin.Credit: Getty Images
Cameron Ciraldo’s men have now won five in five as they continue to mount the unlikeliest of title tilts following seven years without finals football.
Rain pelted down for much of the game but the waterworks started early when Johnson, given a guard of honour with his wife and children, could do nothing to stop tears streaming down his face.
With emotions and strong winds swirling around him, it was unsurprising when the 33-year-old dropped his first pass of the game cold.
Their season already over, the Warriors came out firing, determined to send their talismanic halfback off with a win.
They dominated possession early and ran out to a 12-0 lead with tries to Marcelo Montoya and Kurt Capewell, both assisted by Luke Metcalf.
In his second game back since breaking his leg in round four, Metcalf reassured Warriors fans they had another talented half to look forward to in Johnson’s absence.
Canterbury completed just one set in the first 15 minutes.
But when they finally found their foothold they showed their class, scoring three tries through Bronson Xerri, Stephen Crichton and Kurtis Morrin in an eight-minute blitz.
Viliame Kikau, taking the chance to stretch out those powerful, rangy legs after breaking through the Warriors’ defence in the lead-up to Morrin’s try, was in particular a sight to behold, reviving memories of his Penrith glory days.
Wayde Egan helped the home side get their noses back in front at half-time. The hooker sold a dummy to the Bulldogs markers and dived over beside the posts.
Canterbury were typically bullish in defence, keeping the Warriors scoreless in the second half, but were lucky to keep their full complement.
Shaun Johnson’s last home NRL game ended in defeat.Credit: Getty Images
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck was sent from the field concussed after a Crichton shoulder to the head.
But Crichton, who was placed on report, did not follow him, despite similar tackles being met with sin-binnings throughout this season.
Referee Wyatt Raymond said there were several mitigating factors in the tackle.
The Bulldogs snatched the lead again through Harry Hayes, who grassed a deflected Toby Sexton grubber kick to score his maiden NRL try.
Tries to Josh Addo-Carr and Jacob Kiraz sealed the game and sucked the air out of Mt Smart Stadium.
The only sour note for Canterbury’s charge to the finals was an injury concern for lock Kurt Mann, who was pulled from the field clutching his shoulder in pain.
