Bulldogs skipper Stephen Crichton slots golden point field goal to sink Dragons in Las Vegas

Stephen Crichton is the toast of Las Vegas.

The Bulldogs skipper slotted a field goal in the dying seconds of golden point at Allegiant Stadium on Sunday (AEDT) to snatch a 15-14 win for Canterbury-Bankstown over St George Illawarra.

The Dragons fired off four field goal attempts — one in the 80th minute and another three in golden point — but squandered all of them.

READ MORE: Ponga cops brutal hit, Cowboy binned in frantic Vegas clash

READ MORE: World champs 'demolished' as NRL discards wreak havoc

READ MORE: NRLW stars confronted by '6-foot man' at 4am in Vegas hotel

The Bulldogs completed the job with their second field goal attempt — a shot off Crichton's left boot from 25 metres out after just shy of 90 minutes of drama-filled rugby league.

Watch the 2026 NRL season live and free on Nine and 9Now.

Canterbury's cause was helped by a contentious decision from referee Grant Atkins, who ruled that Dragons bench forward Ryan Couchman had stripped the ball from Bulldogs centre Bronson Xerri with two in the tackle.

Whether Couchman raked the ball or Xerri had a loose carry is up for debate.

"It's a loose carry every day of the week, without a doubt," Dragons coach Shane Flanagan said in his post-match press conference.

"We didn't get the rub of the green, that's for sure.

"The NRL has done an outstanding job [with Las Vegas], the week has been fantastic, every promotion we've had to do, Fremont St ... then the game gets decided like that. It's disappointing."

Matt Burton kicked for touch from just beyond the halfway line and Crichton buried the Dragons early in the following set.

The top Dog was mobbed by his teammates in front of a heaving 45,719-strong crowd at the home of the Las Vegas Raiders, among which was a huge contingent of the blue and white army.

"We knew that the Dragons were going to come; they're a big pack, [they have] athletic outside backs," Crichton told Paul Gallen on Nine.

"We knew it was going to take the whole game, and it took all the way up to golden point.

"Credit to the boys; they dug deep there. A lot of boys [were] cramping, as well.

"Just to get to the end there and come away with the win just shows how good of a pre-season it was.

"I'm just lost for words, man."

Dragons winger Christian Tuipulotu could be set for an early-season suspension after hitting Bulldogs fullback Connor Tracey high with a shoulder charge.

The opening-round clash was packed with bruising hits and melees, including a tackle that resulted in Moses Suli going off for a head injury assessment, which the Dragons centre passed.

Tuipulotu landed himself in trouble in the 29th minute when he rushed out of the line and hit Tracey flush in the head with his left shoulder.

Atkins awarded Canterbury a penalty and placed Tuipulotu on report, putting him in danger of missing next Saturday's game at WIN Stadium against Melbourne.

"Not wrapping his arms on that occasion, he may have something to answer to there, for sure," Gallen said.

Shortly after, Bulldogs back-rower Viliame Kikau stormed out of the line and floored halfback Daniel Atkinson in his first game in Dragons colours.

It wasn't a high shot — simply a sensational rugby league hit — but Atkinson's teammates, particularly Valentine Holmes, gave it back to the Bulldogs aggressor.

Tempers then boiled over again when Luciano Leilua shoved Jacob Preston in the face as he took a carry, gifting the Bulldogs a penalty.

"Well that's the worst thing you can do in the game: give away a penalty with the ball in hand," Andrew Johns said.

"Well it's ill discipline," added co-commentator Cameron Smith.

Suli was left worse for wear after being driven into the ground by Bulldogs trio Bailey Hayward, Kurt Mann and Harry Hayes in the 47th minute.

The back of Suli's head hit the turf with a thud, angering his teammates.

Preston and Jacob Kiraz scored tries for the Bulldogs, and Emre Guler and Setu Tu crossed for the Dragons.

Tu, 27, was impressive on his NRL debut, holding his own despite being targeted by Bulldogs defenders and with the high ball.