’Out of this world’ moment headlines ‘special’ win for finals-bound Dogs: What we learned

“This is out of this world,” Voss said in commentary.

Kiraz scored another to bag a first-half double before Addo-Carr got another shot at a runaway try with the speedy winger scooping up a loose ball to run 60 metres — this time he scored.

But the Dolphins hit back with their own runaway try three minutes later when Jake Averillo intercepted a Toby Sexton pass to run 70 metres and score against his former club.

Two tries in the second half — both set up by Matt Burton — sealed the win for the Bulldogs. But it came at a cost with workhorse forward Josh Curran leaving the field in the 75th minute clutching at his shoulder.

HAMMER VS FOXX

With momentum building in favour of a 100-metre dash on Grand Final day, a moment between two of the game’s fastest men on Saturday couldn’t have come at a better time.

Josh Addo-Carr looked almost certain to score when he scooped up a loose ball and took off. He ran 80 metres before a flying Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow ran him down and tackled him over the sideline about five metres out from the Dolphins’ line.

“One for the ages… that is sensational. They talk about a race on Grand Final day well you just watched the preview,” Andrew Voss said in commentary.

“This is out of this world… That is a great rugby league moment.”

Corey Parker summed up the moment as “absolutely brilliant” and gave some insight into just how quick Tabuai-Fidow is.

“One of the quickest men in the competition (Addo-Carr) sets sail for the corner… the ‘Hammer’ changes gears, comes across, grabs him by the top and throws him in what is an absolute crazy tackle.

“Speaking to (Dolphins assistant) Kristian Woolf a couple of weeks ago, he mentioned that he’s never seen ‘Hammer’ at full tilt. He only runs as fast as he has to.”

Fox League recorded Addo-Carr’s top speed as 37 km/h, but Tabuai-Fidow got up to 40 km/h while he chased him down.

“I thought I was home, bra, but Hammer is too quick… he’s got some feet on him,” Addo-Carr told Fox League at half time.

BURTON FIRES AS DOGS EYE TOP FOUR

Matt Burton was in the thick of things as per usual and set up the two final tries of the game to seal the Bulldogs’ fourth win on the trot — and ninth win in their last 11 games.

The star five-eighth found some space down the left edge before setting up Bronson Xerri with pass and then backed it up five minutes later when he supported Viliame Kikau and then found Connor Tracey on his inside.

Burton finished with a linebreak, just under 100 running metres and 19 tackles — no misses — with Fox League Corey Parker saying the star five-eighth “controlled things beautifully” at Salter Oval.

There was a lot of noise around the 24-year-old’s best position at the start of the season but with the help of the form of his teammates he’s proven he belongs in the No.6 jersey.

“He’s got a seven pulling the strings, he’s got back-rowers and centres that are hitting holes and are dead set tackle-breakers (around him),” Parker said.

“When you’ve got someone like Xerri and Kikau on your left-hand side, there’s so much doubt in the defensive line which gives (Burton) the ability to show-and-go and pick his time.”

Burton, who will play his 100th NRL game next week, told Fox League “it feels really special to be a part of this” as the Dogs climb up the ladder.

While he also said “I think we showed what we can do today,” he was tight-lipped when asked about the team’s charge for a top-four finish.

“We’re just taking it week by week, not looking too far ahead,” Burton said.

DOLPHINS FUMBLE BIG OPPORTUNITY

The Dolphins’ finals dream is becoming more and more out of reach following Saturday’s loss to the Bulldogs.

Wayne Bennett’s side needed to win to stay inside the top eight but have now opened the door for the ninth-placed Dragons — who take on the Titans on Sunday — to leapfrog them on the ladder.

The Dolphins looked up for the challenge in the first half, going into the break just six points behind the Dogs. But they couldn’t match it with their opposition, who had four more linebreaks and made 524 more metres.

If the Dragons win on Sunday, the Dolphins will drop to ninth. They’ll also have the Broncos breathing down their necks just two points behind and potentially the Knights and Raiders too — pending results over the weekend.

When asked if the Dolphins can hang on to play finals, Fox League analyst Cooper Cronk said: “It doesn’t look like they will. It’s almost advantage Dragons now.”

He added: “They had a big opportunity today and dropped it. A second half fade out again is the reason why they’re in trouble.”