Racing
League
Rugby
Football
Cricket
Golf
Olympics
Motorsport
Netball
Combat Sports
Basketball
Tennis
Other Sports
Sport Nation
FIFA World Cup 2026 scheduleLate drama as Crichton penalty helps Dogs topple Eels
George Clarke, AAP •  June 8th, 2026 9:06 pm
The Bulldogs have edged the Eels in a tight contest that included a scoreless opening half | Photo: NRL Photos
Stephen Crichton has kicked a late penalty goal to help Canterbury slow the Bulldogs' worrying run of NRL form with a 14-12 win over Parramatta.
Crichton struck from the tee in the 76th minute at Accor Stadium on Monday after Eels hooker Tallyn Da Silva was penalised for a questionable high shot on Matt Burton.
Burton laid down seeking treatment after Da Silva's contact and failed to finish the match as he was sent for a head injury assessment.
Crichton's penalty got the Dogs home after the first scoreless first half in the NRL in five years.
Stephen Crichton was prominent in the big moments and proved a handful for the Eels | Photo: NRL Photos
Cameron Ciraldo's side (5-8) climbed to 13th on the NRL ladder but the first half was a snapshot of Canterbury's season when they dominated possession and territory and outran the Eels by more than 230m.
Despite having 17 play-the-balls in the Eels' 20m zone in the opening 40 minutes, the Bulldogs' attack was blunt and directionless.
The Eels thought Josh Papalii had scored a try on the stroke of halftime, only for his effort to be called back for a knock on, resulting in the first scoreless first half since a 2021 meeting between the Eels and Canberra.
Sitili Tupouniua was held up early into the second half before finally crashing over for the game's opening try off a Lachlan Galvin shortball in the 49th minute.
Three minutes after Canterbury finally got on the board, captain Stephen Crichton helped his side double their lead.
Crichton climbed above Eels fullback Isaiah Iongi to claim a Galvin bomb to touch down.
Josh Addo-Carr was instrumental to the Eels' efforts and helping them stay right in the contest | Photo: NRL Photos
But just when the Bulldogs thought they were beginning to pull away, the Eels hit back with a double salvo in back-to-back sets to send the game to the wire.
Winger Josh Addo-Carr made a burst down the left and grubbered in-field for Da Silva to slide in and the hooker was quickly followed over by Papalii after a midfield bust from Eels debutant Teancum Brown.
The Eels were hunting a third after Ronald Volkman forced a goal-line drop-out but Da Silva brought the halfback's work undone when he was penalised for an escort on Tupouniua - and then handed the Bulldogs the win.
Da Silva was placed on report by referee Todd Smith for a debatable high shot on Bulldogs five-eighth Burton and Crichton stepped up to slot the winning penalty from 40m out.
Tune into Sport Nation for live NRL commentary all season long - download the app today on Google Play and the App Store.
Sport Nation's NZ Kiwis Selector Roulette gets underway! | Scotty & Izzy
