The Bulldogs have clinched a spot in the top four for the first time since 2012, but there are some huge concerns over their attack just two weeks out from the finals after they limped past the most inexperienced team in the NRL era, while star winger Jacob Kiraz failed to finish the contest with a left ankle injury.

FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of every round in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership, LIVE with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer >

MATCH CENTRE: Bulldogs vs Panthers teams, scores, videos, updates

Most teams would be thrilled to beat Penrith 28-4, but this was essentially an NRL title contender up against a bunch of brave NSW Cup players who left the blue and white crowd unsure how to feel as they left Accor Stadium.

There was always a chance something like this could happen against such a weakened team, but it looked like their attack was clunky rather than complacent as they struggled to crack the Panthers.

“In terms of having to deal with pressure on us, I thought it was a great experience for us,” Cameron Ciraldo said.

“There’s not much more pressure coming into a game when the whole first grade team is missing so there was a lot of pressure around and a lot of expectation. I thought the boys dealt with it great.

“I thought we were attacking really well for the first 20 minutes doing exactly what we wanted to do…but the game became really stop-start after that which made it hard to get any flow in the game.

“It was a really weird game. Finals aren’t going to be like that sort of game.”

Lachlan Galvin backed up a Josh Curran break to score their first but he threw a number of errant passes that led to the crowd cheering loudly when Toby Sexton was shown on the big screen.

He looked a lot better in the second half as he set up Jacob Preston with the back-rower having a field day on the right edge with his first career hat-trick.

But while the edge forwards enjoyed success, Canterbury’s spine failed to fire and the outside backs never looked threatening in a game that should have been the confidence builder they needed ahead of the finals.

GIVE IT A REST

Ivan Cleary made the bold call to rest 16 players from the side that lost to Canberra in golden point, and he’ll be proud of what his young troops did in a game they were expected to be blown off the park.

A betting plunge on Monday afternoon hinted at mass changes, but no one thought Cleary would field the most inexperienced squad in the NRL era with the Panthers boasting four rookies and just 398 games of NRL talent.

To put that in perspective, Storm legend Cameron Smith played 430 NRL games, with 18th man Jaxen Edgar becoming the fifth debutant of the night after two teammates failed head injury assessments.

They were never going to have the attacking spark to trouble a team as defensively sound as the Bulldogs, but a side featuring plenty of part-timers frustrated their opponents who kicked clear in the second half.

It didn’t help that Zac Lipowicz was sent to the sin bin for a hip drop on Matt Burton, while Luke Sommerton was knocked out of the contest after copping a boot to the head.

It remains unclear how many of their stars will return next week against the Dragons given they can’t make the top four, but Daine Laurie reminded Cleary that he could be a September option after he threw a glorious ball for Paul Alamoti to score and then had a try disallowed that would have cut the gap to 12.

OH MANN

The one thing the Bulldogs couldn’t afford was to lose any of their stars to injury, but there are huge concerns over explosive winger Jacob Kiraz after he was helped off with a left ankle injury.

Kiraz landed awkwardly while contesting a short kick-off and made the long walk around the field to get to the tunnel.

“It’s a bit swollen in there, it doesn’t look great. But hopefully it’s just a rolled ankle but he will get a scan tomorrow,” Cameron Ciraldo said post-match.

He also explained the Bulldogs have options to replace the gun winger.

“Enari (Tuala), Jethro (Rinakama), Blake Wilson. All really good candidates for us there,”

“I’m really happy with the depth we have built up over the last couple of years, but in particular this year.

“We’ve got blokes fighting for NRL spots.”

Teammate Kurt Mann also faces a nervous wait after he was placed on report for a high shot before he was forced off moments later for an HIA which he passed.

RELIVE THE ACTION IN OUR BLOG BELOW. CAN’T SEE IT? CLICK HERE.

TEAMS

Bulldogs team: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Bronson Xerii 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Matt Burton 7. Lachlan Galvin 8. Max King 9. Bailey Hayward 10. Samuel Hughes 11. Josh Curran 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jaeman Salmon 14. Kurt Mann 15. Sitili Tupouniua 16. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 17. Reed Mahoney. 18th man: 19. Enari Tuala

Panthers team: 1. Daine Laurie 2. Jesse McLean 3. Sione Fonua 4. David Fale 5. Paul Alamoti 6. Jack Cole 7. Brad Schneider 8. Luron Patea 9. Luke Sommerton 10. Austin Dias 11. Zac Lipowicz 12. Maverick Geyer 13. Matthew Eisenhuth 14. Soni Luke 15. Preston Riki 16. Riley Price 17. Billy Phillips. 18th man: 22. Jaxen Edgar