It was a tight contest between the Bulldogs and Sea Eagles in the NSW Cup, with the home side getting the points in a disappointing finish.
After competition-wide byes with the Country v City fixtures being played, the Bulldogs Jersey Flegg and Ron Massey Cup sides will return to the field this weekend, along with the Kaiviti Silktails.
NSW Cup: Bulldogs 16 def by Sea Eagles 18
The Manly Warringah Sea Eagles have snapped their four-game losing streak with a determined 18-16 comeback over the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, who they held to under 30 points for the first time since Round 5.
Canterbury’s indiscretions were mirrored by Manly at the southern end, with the home side coughing up the ball on the second tackle after kick-off and the Bulldogs striking yet again as they shifted left to Cooper Toy, who ferociously fought off three defenders on his way to the line, scoring his third try from as many matches this season in The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup (16-4).
NSW Cup Highlights – Round 11, 2025
The home side drew first blood in the second stanza, finding themselves upfield with the ball after two consecutive set restarts. Shifting the ball to the left where they had success in the first half, Wakeham fired a short ball to a charging Semisi Kioa who exploded through the line and stepped inside the fullback to reduce the Sea Eagles’ deficit to eight.
With the Bulldogs’ handling errors starving them of possession, Manly took advantage and levelled the scores for the first time since falling behind as Arthur assisted his 14th try in eight games by lofting a pass to winger Charlie Thompson who dived over in the corner. A penalty in front of the uprights just minutes later allowed Aaron Schoupp to give his side their first lead of the match, which saw them out to full-time as they notched up an 18-16 victory.
Talking Points
- After an ill-disciplined opening which saw them give away a penalty, six-again, make four errors and trail 12-0, Manly Warringah held the visitors scoreless in the second half as they piled on three tries to claim victory.
- Having a tough afternoon off the boot, it was former Bulldog Aaron Schoupp who iced the game for Manly as he kicked a penalty goal from in front to put his side ahead 18-16 after missing his four conversion attempts.
- The game was a tale of two halves, with Manly’s ill-discipline leaving them with a 12-point deficit at half-time, and Canterbury-Bankstown’s inability to complete their sets in the second half, that allowed the Sea Eagles to score 14 unanswered points.
- Manly captain Jake Arthur starred for the Sea Eagles in the comeback, assisting two crucial tries and gaining plenty of ground off the boot to keep his side in the arm-wrestle.
Key Moment
Having battled their way back into the contest after looking worse for wear at the break, Manly probed at Canterbury-Bankstown’s defensive line in search for the try that would level the scores. Despite their successes on the left edge, captain Jake Arthur called for the ball on the right and floated a cut-out ball to winger Charlie Thompson who set sail for the southwestern corner and locked the game up at 16-all. Schoupp’s conversion attempt went across the face, but despite the miss Schoupp kicked a penalty goal shortly after to give Manly the lead which saw them through to victory.
What’s Next?
Both sides will be on the road next week, as the Sea Eagles travel to CommBank Stadium to take on Parramatta Eels, and the Bulldogs fly to Auckland as they lock horns with the high-flying Warriors.
The Bulldogs will head to New Zealand in Round 12 to face the Warriors on Sunday afternoon before enjoying a well-deserved rest in Round 13 with the bye.
The Canterbury Bulldogs have extended the contracts of two of their best young players who are coming through the club’s pathways system.
They will both remain in Belmore until the end of 2026.
In an official statement made by the club last week, the Bulldogs announced that Alekolasimi Jones and Cassius Tia have both had their deals extended which will see them remain in Belmore until the end of the 2026 season.
One of the many talented young playmakers coming through the ranks, Cassius Tia has been a mainstay in the NSW Cup this season after being a key piece to the Bulldogs winning the Jersey Flegg Cup title in 2024.
A former member of the Sydney Roosters pathways system, Tia has also been playing in the centres, but GM of Football Phil Gould recently revealed that he will be used at either five-eighth or halfback in the top grade when granted the opportunity.
“They trusted in me, believed in me, stuck by me through the hard times, and I’ve just got to give full credit to the Doggies,” Tia told Zero Tackle.
“That’s the goal (to make my NRL debut). That’s everyone’s goal, and just got to keep working hard and hopefully reap the rewards in the end.
“It [the halves academy] has been amazing (and) just being able to train. We’re such a talented squad with heaps of talented boys, Joey Teaupa and Mitchell Woods.
“Just training with them day in, day out makes each other better, and that’s all that matters.”
On the other hand, Jones – otherwise known as ‘AJ’ – plays in the forward pack primarily in the back-row or at lock and has made five NSW Cup appearances over the past two seasons.
Averaging 40 running metres a game and making 52 total tackles, he has slowly progressed through the club ranks from the SG Ball Cup competition and is still eligible to play in the Jersey Flegg Cup.
Earlier this year, he had the opportunity to train alongside the NRL first-grade squad during pre-season training.