Bulldogs suffer double injury blow as Sharks win 24-6

Only a mass resting from Ivan Cleary’s Panthers a fortnight ago prevented a total wipe-out for the Bulldogs, who even then hardly impressed against an inexperienced Penrith outfit.

Ciraldo championed the third-placed Bulldogs however, and remained confident of his team’s fortunes heading into the pointy end of the campaign.

“I’m glad that’s over and we can get on to the next phase of the competition,” Ciraldo said.

“Obviously we were nowhere near our best and that’s what happens when your mindset is slightly off.

“But we have been the third most consistent team all year, and we deserve to finish where we are. It hasn’t been perfect the last little period, been up and down, but we deserve to finish third and give ourselves the best chance over the next four weeks.”

Already reeling from the loss of Jacob Kiraz for the foreseeable future after his last start ankle injury, the Bulldogs will have to make do without Xerri, and most probably Montoya, for their qualifying final in Melbourne next week.

Xerri caught the hip of Shark Sione Katoa within the first five minutes and was instantly ruled to have suffered a Category 1 concussion.

To make matters worse, Montoya would limp off in the dying stages with an ankle injury.

It could have been made a lot worse for the Bulldogs, given Viliame Kikau overcame a concussion scare of his own after an awkward first half collision with Toby Rudolf.

Playmaker Matt Burton – who also pulled up lame with a shoulder concern – and back-rower Jacob Preston filled in at centre in Xerri’s absence throughout proceedings, though it’s more likely that Blake Wilson and Jethro Rinakama will come into the frame to face the Storm.

“It’s not looking great for Marcelo. It’s a bit early to say [that his season is done] but he’s in a fair bit of pain,” Ciraldo said.

“We’re lucky to have a bit of depth there. A guy like Enari Tuala was our best player and he’s made the most of his opportunity, and it looks like somebody else will get one too.

“(Kiraz) is progressing well but next week could be a stretch.”

For a game of little consequence with week one of the finals already locked away, the Sharks made the most of a frantic first half to race away to an 18-0 lead by halftime.

Tuala’s 100-metre try-scoring effort six minutes into the second half offered the 30,000-strong home crowd a glimmer of hope, but it was all to no avail as Blayke Brayley’s 58th minute try proved the final straw.

BACK FIVE BACK

For the first time in season 2025 the Sharks were able to play their first choice back five, with the quintet playing an influential role in the eventual 18-point win.

The timely inclusion of Jesse Ramien (thumb) had an almost immediate impact against a weakened Bulldogs left edge.

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Ramien combined with his winger Katoa to score the Sharks’ second try, before Katoa, in a very similar fashion, put over five-eighth Daniel Atkinson on the stroke of halftime.

Together with Will Kennedy, KL Iro and Ronaldo Mulitalo, the Sharks’ back five combined for a whopping 650 metres and 17 tackle breaks.

“They all play selfless roles, and we can’t thank them enough for getting us out of their own end and putting us in good positions,” Sharks skipper Brailey said. “Even their defensive reads were great!”

Originally published as Bulldogs suffer double injury blow as Sharks win 24-6