Bulldogs’ Almighty Comeback Seals Eighth Win Of The Season: ‘Absolutely Stunned’
The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs delivered one of the most thrilling comebacks in recent memory, stunning the Canberra Raiders with a 31-30 victory that will be remembered for years. Down by 20 points in the second half, the Bulldogs stormed back in sensational fashion to record their eighth win of the NRL season — and their most dramatic yet.
The Raiders looked to be in full control, building a commanding 30-10 lead by the 55th minute. But what followed was nothing short of miraculous. The Bulldogs flipped the script with four unanswered tries and a clutch field goal in the dying moments to seal a one-point win and send the crowd into raptures.
“We’re absolutely stunned,” Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo said post-game. “That’s the kind of heart and resilience we’ve been building all season. To do it like that, from where we were — it’s just unbelievable.”
The victory marked the Bulldogs’ first win in Canberra in 31 years, breaking a long-standing drought that added extra emotion to an already iconic comeback. The Raiders had beaten the Bulldogs in their previous eight meetings, making this upset even more satisfying for the Sydney-based club.
Matt Burton was again instrumental, leading the charge with pinpoint kicks and two try assists. His ice-cold field goal in the 78th minute capped off a flawless final quarter. Young guns Jacob Kiraz and Jaeman Salmon crossed the line during the furious fightback, while veteran Josh Addo-Carr’s 73rd-minute try shifted the momentum permanently.
“It was a game of two halves,” Addo-Carr said. “We just dug deep. We believed in ourselves, even when things looked gone. That’s what makes footy so special.”
Raiders coach Ricky Stuart was visibly frustrated after the collapse, calling his side’s second-half performance “disgraceful.” The loss could have serious finals implications for Canberra, who now sit just outside the top eight after the weekend’s results.
Bulldogs fans, meanwhile, are daring to dream. With eight wins now under their belt, the team is firmly in finals contention — a far cry from their struggles in recent seasons.
“It’s not just the win, it’s how we did it,” said Ciraldo. “It shows we’re growing. The boys are starting to believe.”
The Bulldogs will look to carry this momentum into next week’s clash, while the Raiders are left searching for answers after one of the most shocking collapses of the NRL season.
One thing is certain: this was a comeback for the ages.
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