The Bulldogs are facing a significant setback ahead of the finals, as they lost Bronson Xerri just five minutes into their match against the Sharks. Xerri encountered an unfortunate collision with Sharks winger Sione Katoa, which resulted in him being swiftly pulled from the field after appearing dazed from the impact. Despite managing to walk off the field with assistance from teammate Matt Burton, Xerri has been diagnosed with a category one concussion, necessitating an 11-day stand-down period.
This injury compels Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo to reconfigure his lineup earlier than planned. Fortunately, the team has depth on the bench, providing Ciraldo with options to adapt. The severity of the changes required has raised concerns, but as commentator Brad Fittler noted, this could serve as a valuable opportunity for the team to practice potential formations for the upcoming semi-finals.
Reed Mahoney has been called upon to step in for Xerri, prompting a reshuffle wherein Burton moves to centre and Bailey Hayward takes over as five-eighth.
Amidst these challenges, the Bulldogs are not alone; their finals opponent, the Storm, is also contending with injuries, as Ryan Papenhuyzen will similarly miss next week’s match following a head injury assessment during their game against the Broncos. As the Bulldogs adjust to their new lineup, the quest for a strong performance continues, with both teams now navigating these critical pre-finals hurdles.
As the match progressed, neither the Bulldogs nor the Sharks managed to score in the first 20 minutes, underscoring the tension of the game. The exact schedule for the finals matchup between these two teams remains uncertain, adding another layer of complexity to the Bulldogs’ preparations.