Bulldogs Blitzed and Battered: Undefeated Streak Ends in Chaos as Stars Cop Nine-Week Ban
The Canterbury Bulldogs have suffered a double blow following their first defeat of the NRL season, not only going down 42-18 to the Brisbane Broncos at a rain-drenched Lang Park but also facing a string of suspensions that could sideline key players for a combined nine weeks. Heading into Thursday night’s clash, the Bulldogs were riding high with a flawless 6-0 start to the season, but that momentum came to a halt in a match marred by sin-bins and disciplinary issues.
In a physical and scrappy affair, three Bulldogs players were sent to the sin-bin, significantly disrupting their rhythm and opening the door for Brisbane to run rampant. Marcelo Montoya was the first to go for a high shot on Brendan Piakura, though the call seemed more about repeated team infringements than the tackle itself. Montoya escaped further sanction, as did Broncos winger Deine Mariner, who was also binned late in the game for a high shot on Viliame Kikau.
However, the match review committee came down hard on Bulldogs forwards Sitili Tupouniua and Josh Curran, who now face suspension for their respective high tackles. Star five-eighth Matt Burton also received a grade-two charge for a careless high shot on Billy Walters, compounding Canterbury’s woes.
Speaking after the game, utility Kurt Mann described many of the incidents as “unavoidable” due to the slippery conditions. “It’s just the way the game is going,” he told ABC Sport. Head coach Cameron Ciraldo was more subdued, expressing frustration with the lack of flow and rhythm in the game. “It was a ball-ache to watch,” he admitted. “We were trying too hard. We’ve been disciplined this season, and we can fix this.”
The loss, and the subsequent suspensions, serve as a major test for the Bulldogs’ resilience and depth moving forward.
