Canterbury Faces Challenges Without Stephen Crichton
Canterbury is preparing for a difficult period without their star player, Stephen Crichton, following a 32-24 loss to South Sydney in the NRL. The Bulldogs’ skipper suffered a shoulder injury during the match, which has left the team in a tough spot as they look ahead to their upcoming fixtures.
Crichton was injured in the 43rd minute after landing awkwardly in a tackle involving Rabbitohs players Campbell Graham and Jack Wighton. He did not return to the field on Friday, leaving the team without one of their key players. Coach Cameron Ciraldo confirmed that Crichton has sustained a grade two AC joint injury, which could potentially be a grade three, ruling him out of the upcoming game against Penrith next Thursday.
Canterbury (2-2) will face several strong opponents over the next month, including the Panthers, Parramatta, premiers Brisbane, and North Queensland. This presents a significant challenge for the team as they try to maintain their form without their captain.
“It’s not looking great in there,” Ciraldo said. “They (the medical team) are saying a high grade two, grade three possibly AC – that’s the initial thoughts on it so he’ll be out for a while. It’s an opportunity for someone else.”
At the time of Crichton’s injury, Canterbury were leading 18-12. However, the team struggled in the second half, completing only 40% of their sets, conceding six penalties, and making 12 errors. A late try by fullback Connor Tracey prevented Souths from keeping the Bulldogs scoreless in the second half.
Ciraldo chose not to replace Crichton with disgruntled centre Bronson Xerri, instead moving five-eighth Matt Burton to centre and bringing Sean O’Sullivan into the halves. “Bronson was there covering the wing and centre but when you lose your best communicator,” Ciraldo said. “I needed to get another communicator out there, and Sean’s one of the best at that.”
However, after the reshuffle, the Dogs lost their fluency in attack, allowing Souths to score 20 second-half points and secure a third win from their opening four games.
Latrell Mitchell scored two tries and kicked six goals, finishing the match at fullback after Jye Gray went off for a head injury assessment. Souths coach Wayne Bennett confirmed that Gray passed his test and will be fit to face Canberra next week. However, he expressed concern over Keaon Koloamatangi, who picked up a suspected medial ligament injury.
Souths started strongly in front of a crowd of 49,813 when Alex Johnston intercepted a Tracey pass and ran 90 meters to score in the fifth minute. Marcelo Montoya and Mitchell exchanged tries before Canterbury took the lead just before halftime.
Lachlan Galvin dived on his own kick to the in-goal as a rampaging Sitili Tupouniua crashed over to make it 18-12 at the break.
After Crichton’s injury, Canterbury fell apart with Cameron Murray, Tallis Duncan, and Mitchell pulling Souths out of sight. “We played somewhere near our potential and what we’ve got in the team,” Bennett said. “The last time we played we were far off that – we weren’t perfect today, but we look closer to where we want to go.”
