The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs fell 6-24 to the Cronulla Sharks in their final home game of the season, leaving coach Cameron Ciraldo searching for solutions ahead of the finals.
The match was marked by injuries and disciplinary issues, with Bronson Xerri forced off after five minutes, Viliame Kikau undergoing a head injury assessment, and Marcelo Montoya leaving late with a leg injury from a hip-drop tackle by Nicho Hynes.
Reed Mahoney and Kurt Mann were also placed on report for dangerous tackles. While Enari Tuala’s long-range try briefly lifted spirits, Cronulla’s attacking power, led by Billy Burns, Sione Katoa, Blayke Brailey, and Daniel Atkinson, proved decisive.
Pressure is now on Matt Burton to step up as a key playmaker in the Bulldogs’ finals campaign.
