In a thrilling match at Accor Stadium, Kasey Reh of the Dragons delivered a remarkable try-scoring performance under intense pressure, clinching a victory against the Bulldogs. This encounter marked the Bulldogs’ third game of their inaugural season, and they entered the match unscathed despite facing an early 10-point deficit against the St George Illawarra team.
As the clock wound down, both teams were fighting hard to shift a tie score of 14-14 in their favour. A pivotal moment occurred when Tayla Preston attempted a field goal that veered off target, right after Alice Gregory’s dropped bomb allowed Keele Browne to advance the play. This misstep momentarily handed the Dragons a fresh set of tackles.
Brad Fittler commented on the tension of the moment, noting that players can lose track of the game clock when under pressure, with NSW’s Millie Elliot adding that Preston would likely replay that moment in her mind for a while to come.
Finding a gap in the Bulldogs’ defence, Dragons hooker Nita Maynard-Perrina made a deft pass to Reh, who darted through to score, delighting fans with a nail-biting finish. “A grandstand finish at Accor Stadium,” exclaimed Nine commentator Peter Psaltis.
Earlier in the match, the Dragons wasted no time, scoring a try just four minutes in as Raecene McGregor and Teagan Berry set up Indie Bostock for a breakout. Soon after, Keele Brown added to the Dragons’ tally by breaking through to score a try in the corner.
In response to their 10-point disadvantage, the Bulldogs rallied. Strong teamwork saw Monica Tagoai make a successful push into the try zone, bringing the score closer. Adi Vani Buleki soon equalised, leaving the game tied at 14-14 at the half. The Dragons regained the lead shortly into the second half when Hannah Southwell powered over, prompting another enthusiastic comment from Psaltis about her versatile playing style.
The match showcased not only the competitive spirit of both teams but also highlighted key players’ capability to perform when it mattered most, especially under pressure.