In a drama-filled first half, the Bulldogs have lost skipper Stephen Crichton to an ankle injury. They trail the Storm 14-12 at half time.
Viliame Kikau was sidelined after copping an ugly elbow, but has since been cleared of any serious injury and returned to the field.
Crichton grabbed his leg after a tackle with it later being revealed he had suffered a suspected syndesmosis injury. If that is the case, it likely means Crichton’s season is over with that injury generally needing at least 4-8 weeks to heal.
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MATCH CENTRE: Bulldogs v Storm score, stats, live blog
The gun centre battled on valiantly for several minutes, but was clearly hampered as he grimaced in pain hobbling around the field.
“I don’t know how he stays out there,” Greg Alexander said in commentary.
Then came the big decision, with Crichton leaving the field and Toby Sexton coming on in his place, which ultimately led to a try for the formerly exiled playmaker.
“Big moment here in the context of this game,” Cooper Cronk said.
Fox League’s Michael Ennis used the term “absolute chaos” when describing what went down in the first half.
Storm team: 1. Nick Meaney 2. Will Warbrick 3. Grant Anderson 20. Jack Howarth 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 14. Jonah Pezet 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 4. Joe Chan 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero 7. Tyran Wishart 11. Ativalu Lisati 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Tui Kamikamica 18th man: 17. Bronson Garlick
Late Mail: Jonah Pezet will start at halfback, which drops Tyran Wishart to the bench. Another late move made by Craig Bellamy is Jack Howarth into the starting line up. Howarth’s addition pushes Joe Chan into the back row which in turn forces Ativalu Lisati to the pine.
Bulldogs team: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Jethro Rinakama 3. Enari Tuala 4. Stephen Crichton 23. Jacob Kiraz 6. Matt Burton 7. Lachlan Galvin 8. Max King 9. Bailey Hayward 16. Josh Curran 10. Samuel Hughes 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jaeman Salmon 14. Kurt Mann 15. Sitili Tupouniua 21. Toby Sexton 22. Harry Hayes 18th man: Blake Wilson
Late Mail: Samuel Hughes has been dropped, with Josh Curran to start at prop in jersey No. 16. As expected, winger Jacob Kiraz returns from an ankle injury which means Blake Wilson drops out of the side, although Wilson is the Bulldogs’ 18th man.
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