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Bulldogs party like it’s 1995 as Olakau’atu’s season in doubt
Sam Kosack • July 27th, 2025 8:08 pm
Bust out the ripped jeans and flannel shirts, it’s starting to look like 1995 in Belmore as the Bulldogs secure a statement 42-4 win over the Manly Sea Eagles.
Victorious on the day they commemorate the 30-year anniversary of their 1995 premiership side, the Bulldogs showed this is how you do it in a clinical performance as members of that famous ‘95 squad and 25,801 fans cheered on.
The loss was compounded for the Sea Eagles by an injury to Haumole Olakau’atu, who will likely now miss the remainder of the season after he reaggravated a shoulder dislocation he had suffered six weeks prior against the Gold Coast Titans, only returning from that time out this match.
Olakau’atu could push for a finals return if his injury doesn’t require surgery, however, he would need Manly to qualify to be a chance at playing again this season.
The victory keeps the Bulldogs only two points off the minor premiership and in the hunt for their first top four finish since 2012.
The Bulldogs offload game was dominant, throwing 22 to Manly’s eight; Jacob Kiraz alone had seven to go with his two tries and eight tackle breaks.
It was Canterbury’s first game at the new Allianz Stadium, with the crowd decked out in blue and white. The only member of the 1995 premiership side not cheering on was Jim Dymock; the 1995 Clive Churchill medal winner currently assistant coach at the Manly Sea Eagles.
It wasn’t a dream start for Jason Saab in his 100th match, fumbling a rather innocuous bomb directly into the arms of Sam Hughes for the opener. But he got his moment of redemption right on the stroke of halftime to keep Manly in the fight at 12-6.
After half-time however, the Bulldogs simply couldn’t be contained. Matt Burton and Lachlan Galvin’s combination continues to build, both halves using their running games to keep Manly on the backfoot. Burton ran for 240 metres, while Galvin chimed in with 142.
Connor Tracey was an underrated star for the Bulldogs as he has been so many times this season, running for a game-high 304 metres, while Bronson Xerri scored two tries and Stephen Crichton finished with two try assists and seven goals.
Enari Tuala got amongst the scoring before Sam Hughes notched his first try double to complete the scoring.
The loss makes the Sea Eagles quest for back-to-back finals appearances for the first time since 2014 that much harder.
With matches against the Roosters, Raiders, Dolphins, Wests Tigers, Dragons, and Warriors to finish the season, the Sea Eagles need to win four to hit the magic points total of 32 that would likely see them into finals.
