NRL ROUND 23 MATCH THREAD

[Graham]

Thursday 10th August 2017

Game 1:

[Graham]

Nothing but pride is on the line when South Sydney take on Canterbury at ANZ Stadium on Thursday night. Neither club has a chance of making the finals.

Both sides are under the pump after poor seasons, with a lot of the heat on Bulldogs coach Des Hasler with his side still struggling to score points despite a minor tweak last week.

Since losing the 2014 Grand Final, the Bulldogs have won three out of the past five against the Rabbitohs.

The Bulldogs have lost nine of the past 11 matches, and have failed to score over 20 points since round 7.

The Rabbitohs have won just three of nine at ANZ Stadium this season.

[Graham]

Match officials: Referee: Gavin Badger. Assist referee: Gavin Reynolds. Sideline officials: Jarrod Cole and Clayton Sharpe. 

Televised: Channel Nine – Live coverage from 7:30pm. Fox Sports 2 – Live coverage from 7pm.

UK TV: Premier Sports TV - will likely use the Ch 9 feed. The programme starts at 10:30 am

[Graham]

Today's line ups:

[Graham]

All of he Ch 9 studio presenters have big warts on their faces!

[Graham]

Game has kicked off

[Graham]

Much being made of James Graham/Surgess lack of fellow feeling. Seems Graham won't respond to Sam.

[Graham]

Bryson Goodwin over. Checking obstruction.

[Graham]

Try 

Souths 4-0

I think they checked it because it looked too easy.

[Graham]

6-0 Souths after Good touchline conversion.

[Graham]

Gray over. Held up? Yes

[Graham]

Josh Reynolds has hobbled off injured after 20 minutes

[Graham]

Reynolds ... calf muscle problem

[Graham]

Dogs not good but still only 6 points adrift.

[Graham]

What have I just said?

 Amazing

Seconds later Souths break through to score a try. Alex Johnston.

Crighton made a break a couple of minutes before. This time it was Cook who just ran through the middle of Dogs' line.

So 

12-0 Souths

[Graham]

17 missed tackles by Canterbury 

[Graham]

Penalty given. Souths going for goal.

Adam Reynolds kicked it confidently.

14-0 Souths

[Graham]

Dogs look lost for ideas. Giving Souths every chance.

[Farmduck]

Bit one-sided

[Graham]

Two teams here who look like there's nothing to play for.

Lack of edge to the game.

Souths making the best of it in this first half.

[Graham]

Surely anybody but Des would be on his bike when his side looks clueless week after week.

[Graham]

Souths 14 - 2 Bulldogs

'Twas a penalty goal for Dogs on the stroke of half time.

[Farmduck]

There's still a lot of talented individuals in the Dogs team so it's doubly hard to understand. I wonder if half of them are playing injured.

[Farmduck]

Doggies back in the game after a too-easy try to Chase Stanley converted by self, Dogs 8-14

[Farmduck]

Then Souths reply almost immediately with an Alex Johnston try, converted by Reynolds. 20-8