Bulldogs thrash Bunnies to secure grand final spot

By: Elliott Smith | Rugby League News | Sunday September 23 2012 6:45

The Canterbury Bulldogs will face Melbourne in next week's NRL grand final after thrashing South Sydney 32-8 in their preliminary final at ANZ Stadium.

Momentum swung the way of the Bulldogs after the Rabbitohs lost halfback Adam Reynolds to a hamstring injury while leading midway through the first half.

From there, it was all one way traffic as the minor premiers ran in 28 unanswered points.

Captain Michael Ennis says they played patiently.

"We knew Souths were going to start well, they obviously got a lot of confidence out on last week and they try and play it through the middle, they've got a big pack and we just need to weather that storm and back our ability - and I was so pleased with how well we stuck to the process."

Fullback Ben Barba's praising his side's clinical efforts on attack.

"Again it comes down to all the hard work we all put in, a lot of work goes in behind the scenes with the great coaching staff we've got and a lot of the players that are at our club made. So this is why we're going to next week."

Coach Des Hasler is the first coach to steer two different sides to grand finals in consecutive NRL seasons after winning the title with Manly in 2011.

Photo: Getty Images

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