Bulldogs 32 Wests Tigers 12
About 55 minutes into yesterday's game at ANZ Stadium, Bulldogs coach Steve Folkes signalled to his bench to prepare to replace Sonny Bill Williams.
The representative second-rower had been cramping up after missing the Bulldogs' last game due to a knee problem, and Folkes was wary. However, the coach gave him a little extra, which is what Williams always gives in return.
"I'm glad we didn't [replace him]," Folkes said afterwards.
Two minutes later, Williams showcased everything that is great about him with the try that turned yesterday's clash with Wests Tigers in their favour. There was footwork, although not the footwork we're used to, as he stuck out his right leg to block Tigers halfback John Morris's grubber. There was speed and power as he strode 80 metres to the tryline. And finally, a shoulder charge on a fairly hefty bloke in Chris Heighington as he planted the ball.
"That was very timely," Folkes said, not of the shoulder charge, but of the try.
It helped to stretch the Bulldogs' lead to eight points and ultimately put the result beyond the Tigers, who had struggled with Williams much of the game.
The past week had included talk of a new manager for Williams and his introduction into Anthony Mundine's camp. Yesterday, however, he proved yet again that he's his own man.
Of course, the performance by Williams was especially timely, given he faces a Sydney Roosters side on Friday night which includes former teammates Mark O'Meley, Braith Anasta, Nate Myles and some bloke called Mason.
Williams wasn't talking yesterday, letting his boots do all that. Fullback Luke Patten was, and while he didn't say a lot, the sentiment was there, as he gave a clear picture of the added feeling behind the upcoming clash with Mason and co. Actually, make that Mason, period.
"I've always been taught if you've got nothing good to say, don't say anything," Patten said.
The fullback, who scored two tries yesterday in a wonderful individual performance, said he had not spoken to Mason since the Test and Origin forward left the club in such controversial circumstances last November, and what's more, he didn't plan to.
"Listen, it's going to be a big game," Patten said. "I was a bit worried that maybe the boys had been looking past this game to that match. But the most important thing is that we get the two points. From our perspective, we're not just going out there and thinking, 'Let's get Will.' I know that's how it's going to be built up …"
Asked if he harboured resentment towards Mason, Patten said: "It's a tough question … I disagree with how it all went down."
Other Bulldogs were somewhat peeved to be answering questions about their next game after a 20-point victory. But that's the power of Mason. And after he spent eight seasons in first grade at the club, the Bulldogs will know that more than anyone.
"I haven't really given it a lot of thought, to be honest," Folkes said. "I'm sure you blokes will be trying to drag contentious comments out of everybody. I certainly won't be giving you anything."
The Bulldogs head into the game with a two-one record - mirroring the Roosters - and fresh from a victory against the previously unbeaten Tigers, disappointing as they were yesterday. The contrasting philosophies of the two camps were never more evident than in the coaches; Folkes said it was a "terrific" game, while Sheens said it "wasn't a great game" after his side led 12-10 at half-time only to fold horribly.
"Everything that could have gone wrong went wrong," Sheens said. "We didn't help ourselves with some silly things."
Sheens conceded hooker Robbie Farah was not entirely fit after struggling through the week with the flu. "You make those decisions, you live and die by them," he said.
And he suggested some of the younger players, who had helped the side to its surprising start to the season, had "read their press a bit".
That was echoed by skipper Brett Hodgson, who said the team was "overconfident". "You have a couple of wins, and you don't do the little things at training that you needed to do. It's a good kick up the backside which we probably needed … We've got a lot of things to work on going into next week."
But don't mention next week just yet.
BULLDOGS 32 (L Patten 2 H El Masri H Nanai A Ryan S Williams tries H El Masri 4 goals) bt WESTS TIGERS 12 (D Halatau B Ryan tries B Hodgson 2 goals) at ANZ Stadium. Referee: J Maxwell. Crowd: 21,546.
