The Bulldogs sealed a top-four finish for the first time since 2012 with a 28-4 win over a severely understrength Penrith side, but concerns linger over their clunky attack and a potential injury to star winger Jacob Kiraz.
Despite the comfortable scoreline, Canterbury struggled to break down a Panthers team fielding the most inexperienced lineup in NRL history, with just 398 games of combined experience. While Jacob Preston starred with a hat-trick, the Bulldogs’ spine and outside backs looked unconvincing just two weeks out from finals.
Coach Cameron Ciraldo admitted the match was “weird” and lacked rhythm, stressing that finals footy would be a different challenge. Kiraz’s left ankle injury and Kurt Mann’s high shot report added further worries as the Bulldogs prepare for the run home.
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