Endorsed by Josh Morris to be his NRL replacement for next year, young Canterbury centre Morgan Harper has helped the Bulldogs snatch the NSW Cup title from Newtown with an 18-12 grand final victory.
The 20-year-old Junior Kiwis squad member pulled off a clutch one-on-one strip when it mattered most at Leichhardt Oval on Sunday.
With scores locked at 12-12 and 10 minutes to play, the 20-year-old ripped the ball away from Jets winger Matt Evans on a kick return and ran away to cross in the corner.
Captain Rhyse Martin then kicked a penalty goal moments later to wind down the clock and wrap up a date with Queensland Cup winners Redcliffe in the State Championship match, which will be held on NRL grand final day at ANZ Stadium next Sunday.
"I saw the ball open so I had a go at it because if I knocked it on it just would've been a scrum," Harper told AAP.
"It's always been a part of my game but the new rule where you can have two blokes in before one falls out has really brought it into the game.
"A lot of blokes carry the ball not expecting it because it's faded out a bit these days. It feels good."
The win ends a difficult few weeks for the Bulldogs after the club endured the fallout from their Mad Monday dramas.
Down 10-0 just moments before the break, halfback Fa'amanu Brown scored a crucial try to make it 10-6 before winger Josh Bergamin put them in the lead 12 minutes after the break.
Without first-choice halves Matt Frawley and Lachlan Lewis, Canterbury were forced to do it the hard way when Kyle Flanagan kicked Newtown level with 15 minutes to go via a field goal.
But then Harper stepped up, boosting his chances of fulfilling Morris' prophecy and playing in Dean Pay's up-and-coming NRL side next season.
"For Josh to say that, it meant a lot," Harper said.
"I always watch his games. He's one of the best defensive centres and that's something I want to get better at.
"It was good but I had to keep myself level."
Given Cronulla's affiliation with Newtown, the result also piled further pain on the Sharks' weekend following their preliminary final loss to Melbourne.
Flanagan, Sione Katoa, Aaron Gray, Ava Seumanufanga and Kurt Dillon were among the Jets players to play first grade this year for Cronulla.
The Sharks under-20s side at least won their Jersey Flegg title on Sunday, beating Penrith 22-12.
Share
