Bulldogs Beat Panthers but Kiraz Injury Clouds Top-Four Triumph
The Canterbury Bulldogs have locked in a top-four finish for the first time since 2012, but the night at Accor Stadium wasn’t all smooth sailing. The Bulldogs came away with a 28–4 win over a heavily understrength Penrith Panthers side, yet the result carried as many questions as it did celebrations.
Now, to set the scene — the Panthers were missing a staggering 16 players. Their regular superstars, including Nathan Cleary, were watching from the stands or in the coach’s box. On the field, it was almost a reserve-grade outfit, with six debutants pulling on the Penrith jersey. Everyone knew the defending premiers weren’t expected to win, but the spirit they showed surprised plenty. Even though the scoreboard leaned heavily in Canterbury’s favor, the margin wasn’t the runaway thrashing some had anticipated.
Also Read:- Chris Froome Seriously Injured in Training Crash
- Love, Loss, and New Beginnings inMy Life with the Walter BoysSeason 2
One of the real highlights of the night actually came from Penrith. Fullback Daine Laurie, who is still without a contract for next season, fired off a bullet pass to put Paul Alamoti over for a try. It was the kind of play Nathan Cleary himself would’ve been proud to throw. Panthers coach Ivan Cleary later said he was proud of his young side, while Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo admitted his team had felt the weight of expectation. He was satisfied with how his men handled the pressure, especially through the first hour, though he conceded the final 20 minutes became sloppy.
Canterbury fans did have something to cheer beyond the scoreboard — Jacob Preston, one of the breakout performers of the year, scored three tries on the night. Lachlan Galvin opened the scoring early, while Sitili Tupouniua proved a constant threat on the edge, even though he couldn’t quite finish his chances. Still, there were frustrations. The Dogs’ last-tackle plays were often poor, and supporters were quick to voice their displeasure at some of Galvin’s decisions, particularly given the presence of popular playmaker Toby Sexton watching on.
The major concern, however, was the sight of Jacob Kiraz leaving the field late in the game with an ankle injury. Ciraldo confirmed it was swollen and didn’t look good, though there is hope it’s only a rolled ankle. With the finals looming, the Bulldogs will be desperate for positive scan results, as Kiraz has been one of their most consistent strike weapons out wide.
For Canterbury, this win means security inside the top four and a valuable double chance in September. Their next challenge comes against Cronulla, a clash that will test whether they can tidy up their execution under pressure. For Penrith, the focus now shifts to welcoming back their big guns against the Dragons next week. But if they are to chase an incredible fifth straight premiership, they’ll need to run the gauntlet and win four consecutive finals matches.
So, while the Bulldogs banked a crucial win and history was made with their return to the top four, the night ended with both celebration and concern. The scoreline read 28–4, but the bigger story may be whether their key winger Kiraz can recover in time to play a role in their finals campaign.
Read More:
0 Comments