Canterbury secured a convincing 32-2 victory against Newcastle at McDonald Jones Stadium on Friday night, but the win was overshadowed by a hamstring injury to star winger Josh Addo-Carr. Addo-Carr Injury Dampens Bulldogs’ Dominant Win Over Knights
The “Fox” was on fire in the first half, scoring a dazzling double and seemingly putting himself back in contention for NSW Origin selection after being overlooked for the opening game. However, his impressive performance was cut short as he limped off the field shortly after halftime.
“There’s no confirmation on the severity yet,” said Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo after the match. “While he was able to move around a bit, it’s concerning that he couldn’t finish the game.”
Despite the setback, Ciraldo expressed immense pride in his team’s defensive resolve, especially considering Newcastle dominated field position in the first half. “We’ve got a great bunch who are willing to put in the hard yards and genuinely care about each other,” he remarked. “That kind of camaraderie makes you a tough team to crack.”
This win marks the first time Canterbury has shut out their opponents since their round three victory over Gold Coast. The Bulldogs’ defense was particularly impressive as they defied two separate sin-bins, managing to score tries while playing with a numerical disadvantage on both occasions.
Addo-Carr’s opening try came during a period when fullback Connor Tracey was in the sin bin. Capitalizing on a fumble by Knights fullback David Armstrong, Addo-Carr displayed his agility and seized the opportunity to score. Armstrong, struggling with the wet conditions, had a forgettable night.
A crucial try-saving tackle by Jacob Preston on Greg Marzhew epitomized the Bulldogs’ defensive grit. Marzhew seemed destined to score in the corner, but Preston’s desperate effort shut him down.
Newcastle, however, appeared sluggish, seemingly still in holiday mode after their bye week. “We lacked creativity and resembled a team coming off a break,” admitted Knights coach Adam O’Brien. “Canterbury defended exceptionally well, particularly around their try-line. Ciraldo has them well-drilled defensively, and we simply couldn’t gain any momentum.”
Following Addo-Carr’s injury, the Bulldogs shifted gears, scoring an additional four tries in the second half. Halfback Toby Sexton also spent ten minutes in the sin bin, but the Bulldogs remained undeterred. Preston grabbed a brace, while Josh Curran capitalized on a fortunate bouncing kick to grab another.
This loss not only snapped Newcastle’s four-game winning streak but was further compounded by a knee injury to Daniel Saifiti. To make matters worse, his brother Jacob was sin-binned and placed on report for an unintentional headbutt on Canterbury hooker Reed Mahoney in the dying minutes of the match. Mahoney, who had previously gotten under the skin of Jack Hetherington in their previous encounter, once again proved to be a thorn in the Knights’ side, setting up two tries in the second half.
The National Indigenous Cultural Centre (NICC) is an Indigenous home.
We provide Indigenous products, music, art and news.
If you want Indigenous gifts and merchandise, bush tucker food at your next event or Indigenous entertainment at your next party, expo or conference, feel free to contact us!
Visit our page: https://nicc.org.au/
Tony Clemenger.
Chief Executive Officer.
Tel: 0419431649.
Level 1 397 Chapel Street South Yarra 3141.
Source: https://nit.com.au/01-06-2024/11755/addo-carr-injury-dampens-bulldogs-big-win-over-knights
