‘On what planet’: Dogs fume as referee interference ruins Viliame Kikau try

The Bulldogs looked to build an early lead against the Sharks on Friday but the rub of the green is not going their way yet in 2024.

If sport comes down to luck, the Canterbury Bulldogs are getting absolutely none of it so far in 2024.

After having to defend their hearts out against the Eels in round 1, the new look Bulldogs came to Shark Park on Friday with a point to prove.

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But just 15 seconds into the match, the side lost front rower Poasa Faamusili through a head clash that saw him ruled out with a category 1 HIA, further exposing the Bulldogs’ shallow depth at the position.

After an absorbing opening to the game where the Bulldogs were able to show more of their attacking flare than they were in round one, the side was given a golden opportunity to score when Sharks second rower Briton Nikora was sin binned after what appeared to be a shoulder charge to the head of Viliame Kikau.

As debate erupted online over whether Nikora should have been sent off, the decision put the Bulldogs on the attack.

After getting to the fifth tackle, Matt Burton decided to run rather than kick 10m out but was swarmed by Sharks.

Somehow he found an offload to Kikau essentially unmarked to charge over the line for what appeared to be the first try of the match.

But referee Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski sent the call up as a no try, asking Bunker official Todd Smith to check if he had interfered with Braydon Trindall who ran across in defence.

Przeklasa-Adamski was standing on the line and Trindall ran in from the left, ducking behind the official as Kikau got the ball.

Tracey ran from the left side behind the referee. Photo: Fox Sports

Trindall was still able to make the tackle. Photo: Fox Sports

Asked if the referee interfered enough with Trindall to stop him having a fair shot at Kikau, Steve Roach said: “I reckon common sense. You’ve got to say, would they have stopped him that close to the line from the offload, I reckon no.

“How’re you going to stop a rampaging Kikau that close to the line?

“He does impede him but there is no way you’re going to stop him that close to the line.

Trindall did get around the referee and had Oregon Kaufusi in defence as well but Kikau still bustled over the line.

However, Smith believed the contact from Przeklasa-Adamski was enough.

“Braydon Trindall is attempting to make a tackle, collides with the ref which interferes on his ability to make a play,” Smith explained.

Andrew Voss called it “unfortunate” for the Bulldogs, but agreed that Kikau wouldn’t have been stopped.

It saw a replay of the fifth tackle for the Bulldogs, but with a set line from the Sharks which was defused.

Post-match, Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo had to bite his tongue.

“Whether it’s the bounce of the balls or... I’ll have to be careful with what I say, but I was disappointed with a few of (the calls),” Ciraldo said.

Pressed on the Kikau try, he said: “I have lots of thoughts on it. What do you think?

“I don’t want to be rude but I’m trying to bite my tongue on it a little bit.

“I just felt like at half-time the score could have been a lot different and that could have changed the tempo of the game.”

Kikau was much more involved in round 2. Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

League Freak on X called it “really bad luck for the Dogs”.

Mancave Sports Australia posted: “Trindall could of won an Oscar for that performance with the ref. 10/10 times Kikau scores there. Use common sense refs”.

Another fan said: “That’s bulls**t! There was a massive gap, the ref didn’t stop anything.”

A Bulldogs fan added: “That Kikau try should never have been taken off him

“The ref had physically stopped … and Trindall ran behind him causing him to shepherd himself … Idiots in the bunker again”.

Another Dogs fan commented: “On what planet does Trindall ever stop Kikau there??”

Footy fan Jordan Patu tweeted: “Having a try taken off you because the referee got in the way is f**king insane. Kikau wasn’t going to be stopped there. If the dogs lose by less than 6 points they’ll be filthy.”

Luckily for the officials, it wasn’t a game-deciding moment as the Sharks ran away with the second half, going from 6-all at halftime to a 25-6 win to stay undefeated after two rounds.

The Bulldogs will count themselves even more unlucky however, having been denied a second try in the first half when Blake Wilson put his foot into touch just before diving over for a second try.