Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs vs New Zealand Warriors Josh Addo-Carr Injury Matt Burton Bulldogs Halfback Shaun Johnson SuperCoach Scores Videos NRL Stats

The Warriors broke a three-game deficit with an encouraging performance against the Bulldogs, winning 24-12 at Accor Stadium on Friday night.

With three relatively easy attempts in the first 40 minutes, the Warriors took the lead and led 18-0 at halftime.

MATCH CENTER: Bulldogs vs Warriors live scores, stats, videos

They opened the scoring in the seventh minute after a great sweep from Shaun Johnson confused the Dogs’ defense and Josh Curran was able to blast through and score the try with no one around.

“They got the Doggies,” Dan Ginnane said on Fox League.

The New Zealand side continued to play “at their own pace” in the first half, as Dan Ginnane noted.

The Bulldogs got the odd attacking chance in the first 40 minutes but failed to impress while the Warriors made the most of their chance.

The next cross came in the 25th minute when Addin Fonua-Blake went over the ball with ease as he ran to a clever short ball from Dylan Walker.

It was Fonua-Blake’s fifth try of the season that saw him top the team’s try score list.

Johnson had his fingerprints on the Warriors’ third try when he planted an aimed bomb that was caught by winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak.

“He’s too good, Shaun Johnson,” said Dan Ginnane.

“What a vision. Johnson knew exactly what he was doing. It’s a pleasure to watch,” added Steve Roach.

That attempt came after an interception by Adam Pompey as the Dogs attacked the Warriors’ line.

Pompey ran 50 yards before being knocked down and Watene-Zelezniak scored the next play while the Dogs defense was looking for a clean sheet.

The Bulldogs reacted quickly after the break when youngster Harrison Edwards rushed over the goal from close range in the 45th minute.

Both sides played well on defense for most of the second half as points were difficult to come by.

Though the Bulldogs had a few half-chances, the Warriors kept their nerve, with a late try on young half Ronald Volkman – his first in the NRL that nearly confirmed the result.
The Bulldogs scored a consolation effort through Jayden Okunbor to ensure the score didn’t reflect the true score.

“It was a well-deserved win for the Warriors,” said Dan Ginnane.

Read on for our three big hits from the game!

JOHNSON SHINES IN THE BRILLIANT FIRST HALF

The Warriors essentially finished the game by the end of the first half, with their perennial halfback Shaun Johnson being a big reason.

The 32-year-old, who is yet to sign a contract for next season, set up two attempts by the Warriors with spot-on kicks that the Bulldogs had no response to.

The first of these was a robbery on second rower Josh Curran, chasing him through and scoring with no Bulldogs in sight.

The second was a bomb that Johnson planted in a spot where only Dallin Watene-Zelezniak could catch it and the winger did just that.

This was Johnson’s first game in three games in which he posted a try assist, clearly proving he’s a barometer of the team’s success as they won their first game in a month.

Greg Alexander said during the coverage that he thinks this is the best thing Johnson has ever played.

“He’s chasing kicks, making tackles and doing things that make the Warriors a different team,” he said of the Fox League.

“He’s a world-class player.”

“Try assists, a few forced sitouts and some first class action from Shaun Johnson. He has the keys to the entire engine room,” Cooper Cronk said.

“He’s in a rich shape; He really is turning back the clock.”

“He plays smart, physical and he plays direct and with leadership,” added Yvonne Sampson.

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