Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs

After leading for the majority of the contest, Cameron Ciraldo's side fell behind with 15 minutes to play when the veteran playmaker wound back the clock with a superb solo try to secure the two-point victory.

After losing powerhouse lock Tohu Harris to a knee injury early in the second half, it was Warriors forward Jackson Ford who stepped up for the home side, making 41 tackles and denying the Bulldogs a chance to take the lead with a crucial try-saver. 

The Storm's last home game was an elimination final loss to the Raiders, who had also knocked them off in round 18, the day electric fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen suffered the knee injury that looks set to sideline him for at least another six weeks.

Even without their superstar No.1 the Storm still boast an array of match-winners in Cameron Munster, Harry Grant and Jahrome Hughes, all of whom came to the fore in the round one triumph against Parramatta.

In 2023, the Bulldogs will put a rugby league spin on a well-worn rhyme that signifies the simultaneous hope for continuity and a fresh beginning, eager to be part of the finals festivities after six years on the outside looking in.

After a grand final appearance in 2014 and two more trips to the play-offs in 2015-16, Canterbury have finished no better than 11th in the ensuing six campaigns, even suffering the ignominy of a wooden spoon in 2021 in Trent Barrett’s first year at the helm.

A double to Jake Averillo set up the result as the Bulldogs backed up last week's stirring effort against the Eels to produce five converted tries in the win.

NSW Origin hopefuls Matt Burton and Josh Addo-Carr were at their best in front of Blues coach Brad Fittler while Averillo's form since switching to fullback continues to surge under interim coach Mick Potter.

The Bulldogs held a 12-6 lead at half-time before Potter's men unleashed with four tries in 18 minutes to set up a comfortable 30-point lead.

Canterbury completed at over 80% and had slightly the better of possession in their 34-6 loss to the Titans on Monday night but came up with fundamental errors at key times to make life far too easy for their opponents. 

Barrett described the performance as "not good".

"I thought we were our own worst enemy again. A lot of ill-disciplined errors and gave them too much footy," he said.

And it seems quite a few Bulldogs players share that sentiment.

"Contrary to popular opinion, I didn't come here just because of Des. I was disappointed for him the way things turned out," Foran told NRL.com, referring to Hasler being shown the door in September. The premiership-winning coach has since launched a legal challenge over the way the split took place.

"But I've been really enjoying my time under Dean. It's been great to be coached by him.

"He's a different style to Des as every coach has their own way. But I am enjoying Dean's spin on things.

Pay remains without a win in his short coaching career after the Sydney Roosters sent his Bulldogs back to their kennel with an 18-point loss and their tails between their legs on Friday.

The Bulldogs conceded three tries in 38 minutes and never got within striking distance as they allowed Roosters pair James Tedesco and Cooper Cronk to click into gear at their new club.

It was the second week in a row Pay’s side gave up 30-plus points, following their heavy defeat to defending premiers Melbourne in their season-opener.

With a new season comes the chance for each team to do better than last year, and no team has a better opportunity for a fresh start more than the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs after their off-season overhaul.

They are in an almost unprecedented position of having a new coach, new CEO and new chairperson.

The final piece of their puzzle fell into place on Sunday when the reform ticket led by Lynne Anderson ousted chairman defeated Ray Dib to take control of the boardroom.

The 22-year-old made his NRL debut for the club in the opening round of the 2016 season and has not missed a game this year.

After excelling in the NYC and NSW Cup ranks, the Bega product has been a real find in 2017.

The most concerning aspect of the 30-14 loss for Bulldogs fans would have been the lack of direction at the end of sets, despite having cool-headed halfback Matt Frawley calling the shots in the absence of injured five-eighth Josh Reynolds.