Illawarra secured the early points through Patrick Herbert in the seventh minute and they had their second try when a Jai Field break led to a four-pointer for Izaac Thompson.

An error from ensuing kick-off allowed the Bulldogs to score in the 26th minute through skipper Tyrone Phillips.

Illawarra's two-point lead at halftime was short-lived with Bulldogs winger Tom Carr intercepting a Matt Dufty pass and running 90 metres to score in the 43rd minute.

Two more  tries to Lachlan Lewis and Brad Abbey saw Illawarra staring down the barrel of a 16-point deficit. An ugly kick from Dufty paid dividends in the 65th minute with Jordan Pereira crossing out wide.

The Bulldogs extended their lead via a Rhyse Martin penalty goal soon after before Abbey's second try rounded out the scoring.