A rib injury to Jacob Kiraz and a dangerous tackle by Matt Burton could shut the door on a potential early release for Bronson Xerri who showed how valuable he can be for the Bulldogs this year as they continued their recent run of good form.
Stephen Crichton was the hero with four try assists in his new role at five-eighth as Canterbury cruised past a sloppy Titans side to win 30-12 going into next week’s bye.
Watch every game of every round of the NRL Premiership LIVE with no ad-breaks during play on FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.
The week off comes at the perfect time for Kiraz who has dealt with calf and right knee injuries this season, with a rib issue forcing him off just a few minutes into the second half on a night he still managed four offloads.
“He did a rib cartilage in the first half,” coach Cameron Ciraldo said.
“He got a needle at half-time and it didn’t quite work.”
The powerhouse winger was back on the sideline tackling pads in what can only be a good sign going forward, but the latest injury is exactly why the Bulldogs don’t want to release Xerri early despite giving him permission to negotiate with rivals.
Xerri met with Storm officials on Tuesday, with Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy talking up the strike centre when asked if his side wanted to sign him.
The Eels are also interested in his services for 2027 and beyond, but it’s hard to see the Bulldogs letting him go early given Burton – the man who replaced him at left centre in the reshuffle – was placed on report for a hip-drop tackle on Josh Patston just a few minutes after Kiraz was forced from the field.
MATCH CENTRE: Titans vs Bulldogs, stats, score
BIG HITS
SIX APPEAL
It’s unclear how long Crichton will remain in the halves, but coach Cameron Ciraldo can’t possibly move him after another dominant display.
The Bulldogs skipper nailed the winning field goal in golden point against Manly last week and was even better on the Gold Coast with two try assists in each half.
His short ball for Josh Curran to score was elite ball-playing close to the line, while he landed the killer blow to set up Max King for the sealer in game 150.
“He’s got some really high level skill that he can bring to that position,” Ciraldo said.
“He’s learning very quickly on the run as well so that’s exciting for us.”
Halves partner Lachlan Galvin also tormented the hosts with 10 runs in the first half alone.
While the points didn’t flow, this was one of the best attacking performances from the Bulldogs who picked the Titans apart around the ruck, with Bailey Hayward having his “moment of his season” according to Michael Ennis with a superb long ball to set up Jethro Rinakama for his second try of the night.
They’ve now won three games in a row on the back of their defence which is back to its grinding best, with Enari Tuala producing a magical play to deny Beau Fermor a certain try that would have cut the gap to four points.
The Red Bull High Flyer Player Rankings.Source: FOX SPORTS
BACK TO REALITY
The Titans defended like their lives depended on it to stun the Panthers last week, but they couldn’t repeat the dose on Friday night as they were made to pay for a string of schoolboy errors in the first half.
Their last tackle options were awful in the opening half hour, with Arama Hau having a rough night on the right edge with a few errors.
Phil Sami scored a second-half hat-trick to give them something to cheer about, although he received a gift from the Bunker with replays showing Connor Tracey more than likely dislodged the ball in what would’ve been one of the try-saving tackles of the year.
But it didn’t hurt the Bulldogs in the end with Jayden Campbell missing all three of his sideline attempts.
“Under the pressure the Bulldogs put us under, we just played a little bit young tonight,” Josh Hannay said.
“We searched for a moment to feel good because it wasn’t feeling good out there.”
Connor Tracey attempts to tackle Phil Sami.Source: FOX SPORTSConnor Tracey.Source: FOX SPORTS
Fox Lab Stats
The Bulldogs made the most of their 52 percent possession and 89 tackles to 61 in the opposition half (35-26 in the attacking 20). Three straight wins for the Bulldogs – four wins from the last five games. Snapped a five game losing streak away from Accor Stadium.
Only the fifth time the Bulldogs have scored 20 points this season, for their biggest win of the season. Have conceded exactly 12 points in each of their past three games.
Titans 11th loss of the season – they are still yet to win consecutive games. Seventh loss by 14 points or more, and ninth time conceding more than 25 points.
Four straight wins and six from their last seven for the Bulldogs against the Titans. Their four straight wins by an average margin of almost 22 points.
Keano Kini was placed on report in the first half for contact with his knees on Matt Burton. He has no previous charges.
Jacob Kiraz left the field early in the second half with a suspected rib injury and did not return. Matt Burton was placed on report early in the second half for a hip drop tackle. He has two unrelated charges in the past 12 months.
Moeaki Fotuaika was placed on report for a high tackle on Tracey late in the match. He has two high tackle charges this season, and an unrelated hip drop tackle.
Max King celebrated game 150 (and 100 for the Bulldogs) with just his fifth career try.
Phil Sami grabbed just the second treble of his career – their other was against the Broncos in 2018. He has been in rare try scoring form, scoring in five straight games, with seven tries in total. Cracked 200 metres for the ninth time since round 4 – no player has done so more times this season.
Josh Curran grabbed just the second try double of his career – the other was for the Warriors against the Titans in 2022.
Jethro Rinakama grabbed the second try double of his short career – he has won all five games he has scored in.
Fox Lab POTM – A dominant performance for Stephen Crichton in his unfamiliar position for five eighth. He set up three tries, and had a hand in another.
RELIVE ALL THE ACTION FROM OUR LIVE BLOG BELOW! CAN’T SEE THE BLOG? CLICK HERE.