The Bulldogs have been dealt a number fresh headaches after another disappointing loss to the depleted Broncos on Friday night, with a pectoral injury to Viliame Kikau among their biggest concerns. Coach Cameron Ciraldo seems resigned to losing his influential star for a number of weeks, and it could get worse for the Dogs with potential suspensions looming after four other players were placed on report during the 32-12 loss.
Michael Maguire‘s Brisbane side were missing 12 players for the NRL clash at Suncorp Stadium but blew the Bulldogs away in a superb display. Ben Talty and Jack Gosiewski stood up in the absence of Brisbane’s starting front-row pairing of Payne Haas and Corey Jensen. While third-string fullback Hayze Perham was also excellent against his former club.
Bulldogs star Viliame Kikau suffered a pec injury in a loss to the Broncos that also saw four teammates placed on report. Pic: Getty
Young gun Xaxier Willison capped off a brilliant game with a late try and centre Kotoni Staggs’ brutal defensive display sparked calls for him to earn an Origin call-up for the Blues. Ezra Mam also boosted his Origin claims with another starring display, with the five-eighth and winger Deine Mariner both scoring outrageous tries in Brisbane’s 20-point triumph.
It was the inconsistent Dogs’ fourth loss in seven games this season, leaving them languishing outside the top eight, despite stunning leaders Penrith just two weeks ago. And the situation could get worse for Canterbury after Kikau was forced from the field with a pec injury in the opening half that ended his night and leaves the star back-rower facing a stint on the sidelines.
“He’s a tough guy, the fact he had to go off isn’t a great sign,” Ciraldo conceded about the injury to Kikau post-game. The Bulldogs will now sweat on the results of scans to determine the extent of Kikau’s pec injury, with initial reports suggesting he could be ruled out anywhere between 2-6 weeks in the best case scenario.
Four Bulldogs stars placed on report in costly defeat
The Bulldogs’ woes could be further compounded with four players facing possible suspensions. They’ll face a nervous wait on the match review committee’s findings after Sam Hughes, Harry Hayes, Matt Burton and Stephen Crichton were all placed on report during the costly defeat.
Hughes was pinged for a crusher tackle early in the contest, while Hayes was sent to the sin bin for a trip on Adam Reynolds late in the first half. Burton could also be in strife after flipping Staggs in a dangerous tackle that saw the Broncos centre land awkwardly on his head. While Crichton was also put on report for an attempted trip on Willison in the lead-up to the Broncos forward’s late try.
Matt Burton and Stephen Crichton were among four Bulldogs players who were placed on report in the costly defeat to the Broncos. Pic: Getty
But while the injury-ravaged Broncos keep finding ways to win, Canterbury’s defence continues to be an issue. The Dogs are conceding 23.7 points a game compared to 17.2 last season, and coach Ciraldo admits they’re being punished for some individual errors.
“We didn’t defend well last week. I was disappointed in the defensive resilience and tonight it was the same,” he said after the game. “In long periods we defended great. We had a lot of people defending well but at crucial times we had one or two guys let us down. You just can’t do that against a team with Adam Reynolds, Ezra Mam and Kotoni Staggs.”