Canterbury seemed destined to finish their season on the wrong end of the scoreboard after conceding three tries in the opening 17 minutes against a Manly team determined to snap a six-game losing streak. However, the Bulldogs showed character to fight their way back into the match and a 75th minute Kyle Flanagan try drew the scores level at 20-20.
After missing the conversion, Matt Burton created another opportunity to snatch victory by launching a spiralling bomb in the dying minutes but the Sea Eagles were too quick. Three minutes later he kicked a field goal, giving the Bulldogs their seventh win of the season.
Potter said getting the win was incredibly satisfying.
“To slip behind 16 points and then pull that back, shows some guts and passion they have for the club so I’m really proud of the players,” he said.
“Our players have some character about them; I’m really proud of that and they should be proud of that too.”
With the season officially finished for both teams, attention will turn to the World Cup and preparations for 2023.
Canterbury welcomes new coach Cameron Ciraldo after his commitments with Penrith end in coming weeks and he will be joined by Panthers strike second-rower Viliame Kikau and Eels hooker Reed Mahoney.
‘Dogs go out with bark
INTERIM Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs coach Mick Potter has finished on a high after the team put in a fantastic effort on Friday night, coming back from 16-0 down to snatch a 21-20 win against Manly.