Good Friday Frenzy: Bulldogs Obliterate Rabbitohs in Record-Breaking Win
Wow. Just wow. The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs absolutely destroyed the South Sydney Rabbitohs on Good Friday, winning 32-0 in front of a record-breaking crowd. 65,305 fans packed into the stadium – that's over 5,000 more than the previous record for a standalone NRL regular-season game! Honestly, who saw that coming? The atmosphere was electric.
A Shutout for the Ages
This wasn't just a win; it was a historic shutout. It's the first time in the Bulldogs' 90-year history they've managed back-to-back shutouts. Coach Cameron Ciraldo called it "very special," and you could feel the emotion in his voice. The fan support was incredible, and the team played with a grit and determination that was inspiring to watch. Even being down to 12 men for a while didn't faze them; their defense was a brick wall.
Rabbitohs' Rough Day at the Office
Things went south pretty quickly for the Rabbitohs. They struggled with possession – a massive 60-40% deficit in the Bulldogs' favor – and injuries really hampered their efforts. Euan Aitken's sin-binning didn't help, and Lachlan Hubner's head knock looked pretty nasty. Even Latrell Mitchell, usually a powerhouse, had a relatively quiet game. It kinda felt like watching a slow-motion trainwreck. Tries from Josh Curran, Max King (breaking an 80-game try-scoring drought!), Sitili Tupouniua, Jacob Preston, and Bronson Xerri sealed the deal for the Bulldogs.
A Bit of a Downer After the Victory
The celebrations were understandably huge for the Bulldogs, but unfortunately, a post-match incident involving South Sydney's Jai Arrow and a Canterbury fan put a bit of a damper on things. Reports say Arrow reacted to some heckling from the crowd, leading to some intervention from South Sydney officials and police. The NRL hasn't commented yet, and it's definitely something that needs to be looked at. You know how sometimes things just spiral? It's a shame, really.
What's Next?
The Bulldogs are on fire, sitting pretty at the top of the NRL ladder with an impressive 6-0 record. Meanwhile, the Rabbitohs will be looking to regroup after their second straight loss, facing the Melbourne Storm next. The Good Friday clash will be remembered for the incredible crowd and the Bulldogs' dominating performance, but let's hope the post-match incident doesn't overshadow everything else. It was a truly unforgettable day, for better and for worse.
