Bulldogs’ Vegas Dream in Jeopardy After Matt Burton Hamstring Scare
The Canterbury Bulldogs’ bold Las Vegas season launch has been rocked by a sudden injury scare and all eyes are now on star playmaker Matt Burton.
Burton, one of the NRL’s most dangerous left boots, limped off during a trial match against the Newcastle Knights after clutching at his hamstring. It happened in the first half at McDonald Jones Stadium and he did not return. The Bulldogs still powered to a 28-0 win, but the result quickly became secondary to the health of their chief playmaker.
For fans outside Australia, this is more than a routine pre-season concern. The NRL is opening its 2026 campaign in Las Vegas, a major international push to grow rugby league in the United States. The Bulldogs are scheduled to face the St George Illawarra Dragons at Allegiant Stadium on March 1. They are set to fly out within days. And Burton is central to that showcase.
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He is not just a half. He is the team’s primary kicker, a long-range weapon who can change games with one swing of his left boot. Just days ago, he made headlines by launching a gridiron ball more than 60 metres off a tee. That power is a huge asset in tight contests. Losing him would force a reshuffle.
Coach Cameron Ciraldo now faces a difficult call. Do you take Burton on a long-haul flight to the United States and hope the hamstring settles? Or do you play it safe and turn to off-season recruit Sean O’Sullivan, who stepped in smoothly during the trial? Adding to the concern, young playmaker Mitch Woods is already sidelined with his own hamstring issue.
There is one small advantage. The Bulldogs have a bye in round two, which could give Burton extra recovery time if the strain is minor. But hamstrings are notoriously tricky and rushing them can backfire badly.
Meanwhile, the Knights, under new coach Justin Holbrook and marquee signing Dylan Brown, showed flashes but lacked polish. They too are heading to Vegas soon and expectations are high.
For the Bulldogs, everything now hinges on medical scans. The Vegas spotlight is bright. The NRL wants a statement. And the Bulldogs want their star fit and firing.
Stay with us for the latest updates on Burton’s condition and what it means for the NRL’s high-stakes American opener.
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