2007 Bulldogs RLFC season

The 2007 Bulldogs RLFC season was the 73rd in the club's history. They competed in the NRL's 2007 Telstra Premiership, finishing the regular season 6th (out of 16) and reaching the semi-finals before being knocked out by the Parramatta Eels.

2007 Bulldogs RLFC season
< 2006 2008 >

Season summary

The Bulldogs' 2007 NRL Premiership campaign began against the Newcastle Knights. While the Knights won 25–24 in a dramatic season opener at EnergyAustralia Stadium, the game will long be remembered for the sending off of Sonny Bill Williams for a swinging left arm which left Andrew Johns lying face down on the turf unconscious in the fourth minute. The Bulldogs capitalised on this, at one point leading 24–8 before a comeback by the Knights saw them lose by just one point.

The Bulldogs then suffered a gigantic loss to Penrith a week later, before recording their first win of the season against new club the Gold Coast Titans in front of a home crowd of 14,675. Round four saw them clash with newly crowned heavyweights South Sydney, who had yet to lose a game. The Bulldogs rose to the occasion, disposing of the highly fancied Rabbitohs 34–10 in front of a record Telstra Stadium crowd of 34,315. This was deemed a South Sydney home game.

Round five saw the Bulldogs host a tense match against the Manly Sea Eagles, ultimately going down by just two points in what was a very physical game at Telstra Stadium. A large crowd of 20,269 attended the match, which saw Hazem El Masri take the field in his 250th First Grade Premiership Match. The 'Dogs then travelled to Parramatta in Round six, and produced a remarkable comeback from 16–6 down just before halftime to snare victory 21–18 over the Eels in front of over 18,000 fans.

Round seven's clash was set to be a bumper one at Telstra Stadium, but a disappointing crowd and performance from the Bulldogs saw them fall to the Wests Tigers 34–18. The next week, the Bulldogs returned to form with a comfortable 30–16 win against the Newcastle Knights at Telstra Stadium. Hazem El Masri scored a try and 5 conversions to take his career tally to 1910 points, only the 6th player in history to do so.

Round nine was the first Monday Night game for the Bulldogs in 2007, playing against the in-form Melbourne Storm at Olympic Park. With Origin selections the next day, both teams were eager to impress. It was a disappointing game for the 'Dogs, going down 38–14. Round ten, and the Bulldogs returned to Telstra Stadium, taking on the Sharks minus their Origin stars. A late comeback from the Bulldogs in the second half was not enough, losing 30–20 in front of only 12,384 fans.

There were many Origin stars backing up from both teams for the round eleven clash with the North Queensland Cowboys at Suncorp Stadium. Johnathan Thurston and Matthew Bowen were brilliant as they carved up the 'Dogs defence, and although the Bulldogs rallied for a late comeback, it would again not be enough as the Cowboys ran away to a 26–16 win, leaving the Bulldogs with their 3rd straight loss and sitting 14th on the ladder.

Round twelve was a crucial match for the Bulldogs, travelling across the Tasman to face the New Zealand Warriors at Mount Smart Stadium. Under pressure, the Bulldogs broke their three-game losing streak with a 40–20 win over a 12-man Warriors outfit, only their 5th win of the season. Round thirteen was a bye.

Returning from the bye, the Bulldogs took on the Brisbane Broncos at Telstra Stadium. A sloppy affair, the Bulldogs went down 19–12, and dropped down to 13th on the ladder.

Again under pressure, the Bulldogs had another tough assignment in the Manly Sea Eagles at Brookvale Oval. It was a stunning win for the Bulldogs, defeating the Sea Eagles 27–8. The next week, the Bulldogs returned once again to Monday Night Football for their round sixteen clash with the struggling Sydney Roosters. Without their Origin stars, it was a dominant display from Sonny Bill Williams that led the 'Dogs to a 38–6 dismantling of the Roosters in front of a big crowd of 20,722.

Now sitting on 10th spot, the Bulldogs had a chance to jump into the Top 8 against the Cronulla Sharks at Toyota Park. Down 12–0 at halftime, a good comeback saw the Bulldogs prevail 14–12 for their 3rd straight win. The next week, however, saw the Bulldogs suffer a loss against bottom-placed Penrith Panthers at Telstra Stadium, in front of just 12,465 fans. In control of the match for the first half, the Bulldogs conceded 26 points in the second half, losing 30–20. They were lucky to be sitting on 8th spot after round eighteen.

For round nineteen, the 'Dogs travelled to Carrara Stadium to face the Titans. It was a great performance from the Bulldogs as they streaked to a 36–12 thrashing against the Titans.

Round twenty and the Bulldogs took on the St George Illawarra Dragons at WIN Stadium. In front of 19,051 fans, the Bulldogs scored late in the game to score an upset, winning 28–24. This was the 'Dogs 10th win of the season, with their position in the Top 8 secured for another week.

Another Friday Night blockbuster was played in front of 27,201 fans where the Bulldogs hosted the Parramatta Eels at Telstra Stadium. Parramatta dominated the first half, leading 18–10 at the break, but during the second half the 'Dogs rallied for yet another comeback, scoring 2 tries to make the scoreline 28–22 with 10 minutes to go. As another try-scoring opportunity passed, Sonny Bill Williams looked to have scored off another one-on-one strip, but was ruled to have knocked it forward. In the end, the Bulldogs lost 34–22.

With a chance to cement their spot in the Top 8, the Bulldogs played against the Canberra Raiders at Telstra Stadium. Another superb performance from Sonny Bill Williams, including a first career hat-trick, saw the Bulldogs effectively end the Raiders' finals hopes with a crushing 52–4 win, their biggest win over the Raiders in history. Hazem El Masri kicked only 6 goals from 10, but during the game scored a try to take his career tally to 2000 points. He ended the day on 2010 points, only 166 points from Andrew Johns' record.

The Bulldogs began their final three games (all to be played on Friday nights through Rounds 23, 24 and 25) with a one-point victory against the Brisbane Broncos by 25–24. The game 'see-sawed' considerably before a Brent Sherwin field goal managed to put the Bulldogs in front by one with 5 minutes remaining. The victory saw them temporarily third, but other results meant they kept their position in the top four and secured a likely finals berth.

The Bulldogs now have 2 matches left, first against the Melbourne Storm at Telstra Stadium, and then will conclude their regular season against the North Queensland Cowboys at Dairy Farmers Stadium on 31 August. With these two matches remaining, the Bulldogs are currently positioned in the top four.

Match results

2007 Season Results
RoundOpponentResultBulldogsOppositionDateVenueCrowd
TM St George Illawarra DragonsWin261624 FebruaryWIN Stadium
TM New Zealand WarriorsLoss6363 MarchNorth Harbour Stadium
1 Newcastle KnightsLoss242518 MarchEnergy Australia Stadium18,791
2 Penrith PanthersLoss104023 MarchCUA Stadium16,652
3 Gold Coast TitansWin2261 AprilTelstra Stadium14,675
4 South Sydney RabbitohsWin34106 AprilTelstra Stadium34,315
5 Manly Sea EaglesLoss141614 AprilTelstra Stadium20,269
6 Parramatta EelsWin211822 AprilParramatta Stadium18,285
7 Wests TigersLoss183427 AprilTelstra Stadium18,066
8 Newcastle KnightsWin30166 MayTelstra Stadium12,654
9 Melbourne StormLoss143814 MayOlympic Park14,066
10 Cronulla SharksLoss203020 MayTelstra Stadium12,384
11 North Queensland CowboysLoss162625 MaySuncorp Stadium15,412
12 New Zealand WarriorsWin40203 JuneMount Smart Stadium10,041
13Bye
14 Brisbane BroncosLoss121915 JuneTelstra Stadium10,121
15 Manly Sea EaglesWin27822 JuneBrookvale Oval13,849
16 Sydney RoostersWin3862 JulyTelstra Stadium20,722
17 Cronulla SharksWin14128 JulyToyota Park8,441
18 Penrith PanthersLoss203014 JulyTelstra Stadium12,465
19 Gold Coast TitansWin361220 JulyCarrara Stadium15,873
20 St George Illawarra DragonsWin282428 JulyWIN Stadium19,051
21 Parramatta EelsLoss22343 AugustTelstra Stadium27,201
22 Canberra RaidersWin52412 AugustTelstra Stadium12,127
23 Brisbane BroncosWin252417 AugustSuncorp Stadium35,199
24 Melbourne StormLoss63824 AugustTelstra Stadium
25 North Queensland CowboysLoss323831 AugustDairy Farmers Stadium
Qualifying Final North Queensland CowboysLoss18208 SeptemberDairy Farmers Stadium
Semi Final Parramatta EelsLoss62515 SeptemberTelstra Stadium
RoundPosition
19/16
213/16
311/16
47/16
510/16
67/16
710/16
88/16
911/16
1011/16
1114/16
1211/16
1311/16
1413/16
1511/16
1610/16
177/16
188/16
197/16
206/16
217/16
226/16
234/16
244/16
256/16

Ladder

Pos Team Pld W D L B PF PA PD Pts
1 Melbourne Storm 2421031627277+35044
2 Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 2418061597377+22038
3 North Queensland Cowboys 2415091547618−7132
4 New Zealand Warriors 24131101593434+15929
5 Parramatta Eels 24130111573481+9228
6 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 24120121575528+4726
7 South Sydney Rabbitohs 24120121408399+926
8 Brisbane Broncos 24110131511476+3524
9 Wests Tigers 24110131541561−2024
10 Sydney Roosters 24101131445610−16523
11 Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 24100141463403+6022
12 Gold Coast Titans 24100141409559−15022
13 St George Illawarra Dragons 2490151431509−7820
14 Canberra Raiders 2490151522650−12820
15 Newcastle Knights 2490151418708−29020
16 Penrith Panthers 2480161539607−6818

Players (31)

Current to Round 17, 2007
PlayerAppearancesTriesGoalsF GoalsPoints
Adam Brideson10000
Fred Briggs10000
Kane Cleal152008
Trent Cutler960024
Hazem El Masri15651/600126
Andrew Emelio21004
Jon Green20000
Jarrad Hickey1540016
Daniel Holdsworth110011
Corey Hughes151004
Nick Kouparitsas81004
Heka Nanai10000
Reni Maitua1540016
Willie Mason112008
Dallas Mcilwain71004
Daryl Millard1550020
Brad Morrin10000
Mark O'Meley111004
Luke Patten1630012
Adam Perry100000
Cameron Phelps530012
Ben Roberts101015
Andrew Ryan1440016
Brent Sherwin1125/7018
Lee Te Maari61004
Willie Tonga1530012
Matt Utai11004
Aaron Wheatley10000
Sonny Bill Williams1480032
Tim Winitana10000

Movements

Gains

2007 Signings/Transfers
PlayerPrevious ClubYears SignedUntil the End of
Daryl MillardSt George Illawarra Dragons3 Years2009
Kane ClealSouth Sydney Rabbitohs2 Years2008
Brent CrispCanberra Raiders2 Years2008
Lee Te MaariSt George Illawarra Dragons2 Years2008
Aaron WheatleySt George Illawarra Dragons1 Years2007
Ryan MillardSt George Illawarra DragonsUnknown durationUnknown Year
Leon BottCronulla Sharks2 Years2008

Losses

Losses
PlayerNotes
Roy AsotasiContract with the South Sydney Rabbitohs
Daniel IrvineContract with the South Sydney Rabbitohs
Nate MylesContract with the Sydney Roosters
Ben CzislowskiContract with the Wynnum Manly
Daniel ConnContract with the Gold Coast Titans

Re-Signings

Re-Signings
PlayerYears SignedUntil the End of
Hazem El Masri2 Years2009
Matt Utai2 Years2009
Ben Roberts2 Years2009
Cameron Phelps1 Year2008
Corey Hughes1 Year2008
Brad Morrin1 Year2008

See also

References

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    • Andrews M (2006). The ABC of Rugby League. ABC Publishing. ISBN 0-7333-1946-7
    • Whiticker A & Hudson G (2005). Canterbury Bulldogs – The Encyclopedia of Rugby League Players. Bas Publishing. ISBN 1-920910-50-6
    • Whittaker A & Collis I (2004). The History of Rugby League Clubs. ISBN 978-1-74110-470-7
    • Lane D (1996). A Family Betrayal – One Man's Super League War – Jarred McCracken. Ironbark Publishing. ISBN 0-330-35839-1
    • Chesterton R (1996). Good as Gould – Phil Gould's Stormy Life in Football. Ironbark Publishing. ISBN 0-330-35873-1
    • Lester G (1991). The Bulldog Story. Playright Publishing. ISBN 0-646-04447-8
    • Whiticker A (1992). The Terry Lamb Story. Gary Allen Publishing. ISBN 1-875169-14-8
    • Tasker N (1988). Top-Dog – The Steve Mortimer Story. Century Hutchinson Publishing. ISBN 0-09-169231-8
    • Lester G (1985). Berries to Bulldogs. Lester – Townsend Publishing. ISBN 0-949853-06-2
    • NRL Official Information Handbook (2001–2007). Season Guide.
    • Middleton D (1987–2006). The Official NSWRL, ARL, NRL Yearbook / Annual.
    • Christensen EE (1946–1977). NSWRL Yearbook.
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    • Big League (1974–2007).
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