Mark Nawaqanitawase has scored a contender for individual try of the decade but still ended the night crestfallen after the Sydney Roosters fell 24-20 to Canterbury.
On a helter-skelter Friday night at Accor Stadium, Matt Burton grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck as Canterbury came from behind for a second straight week.
But the Bulldogs' effort from 14-0 down at halftime only told half the story, after a match that descended into a battle between Burton and Nawaqanitawase.
And while Nawaqanitawase produced an all-time highlights reel moment, it was Burton who took ladder-leading Canterbury to a nine-from-10 start to 2025.
The other story among it all was the battle for State of Origin selection, with this match also James Tedesco's last push to win back the NSW No.1 jersey.
Tedesco had one of his quietest matches of the year, with limited impact after his quick hands had sent Nawaqanitawase over for the night's first try.
But with the Roosters leading 14-12 and 17 minutes left, the fun really began.
Burton struck first, targeting Nawaqanitawase with one of his famous torpedo bombs that the rugby union convert couldn't handle.
On the next set, the Bulldogs five-eighth went left, passed back inside to the right and set up Bronson Xerri to go through the middle to score.
Then, Nawaqanitawase's try to hit back moments later had to be seen to be believed.
The winger broke into space, brushed off a Burton tackle, and hopped twice on his left leg to avoid going out.
He somehow chipped ahead to narrowly keep the ball in play, and then pulled the ball back from over the sideline to get it down and make it 20-18.
"It's a great try, it's really good to see someone play with attacking freedom like that," coach Trent Robinson said.
"Sees the play really well, sees the space really well, and has the courage to play."
But Burton wasn't done with yet, again targeting Nawaqanitawase with a bomb that the 24-year-old spilled for his fifth error of the night to allow the Bulldogs back on the attack.
And with six minutes left, Burton capitalised, beating three Roosters to the line to score after some nice Bailey Hayward lead up play.
Nawaqanitawase was left shattered in the Roosters sheds, and opted not to talk to media about his try as he left the stadium.
"The cost is really high of those (errors)," Robinson said.
"He is a really good catcher, I think there is too much effort in the jump. It's not through lack of technique ... It's an easy fix.
"But those hurt tonight. I can understand Mark is hurting in there."
Burton won't be part of NSW's halves when the team is read out after this round, but there is every chance he could still be part of the Blues' squad.
The five-eighth changed the game for the Bulldogs, in the same way Stephen Crichton did in their comeback from 20-0 down against Canberra last week.
"At halftime, it was an awesome reference point to go back to last week and see what we did there," coach Cameron Ciraldo said.
"We had to make a few adjustments tonight.
"What we were doing with the ball in the first half was ... how do I put it nicely ... s**thouse.
"But the boys did a great job to make those adjustments and execute them."
Meanwhile, fellow NSW aspirant Spencer Leniu had an eventful night, charging off the back fence on three kick-off returns for the Roosters.
He spilled the ball twice after smashing into the defence, and left Canterbury prop Daniel Suluka-Fifita with a concussion from the other hit up.
There was also some concern over a shot from Crichton on Lindsay Collins, but the centre would only miss Origin if he attracts a grade-two charge.
