‘Can’t believe what I witnessed’: NRL stunned as ‘inept’ Bulldogs thrashed

The Canterbury Bulldogs appeared to be the season’s fairytale but the nightmare fortnight has left plenty of questions.

It started out as a battle to lock in a home final but it’s turned into a one-sided “demolition job” as the North Queensland Cowboys ensured they would lock in fifth spot on the NRL ladder, thumping the Canterbury Bulldogs 44-6.

While the result means the Bulldogs will now play the Sea Eagles in an elimination final, the location is still to be decided as Manly play Cronulla on Sunday afternoon. A win for the Sea Eagles would mean the match will be at 4 Pines Park, a loss means it’d be at Accor Stadium.

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With the top eight to be decided in the final match of the regular season — a win for either the Dolphins or Knights books their place in the finals, a draw would mean the Raiders qualify — whichever team slots into that final spot will now have to head all the way up to Townsville for an elimination final.

But the result may be ringing some alarm bells at Belmore as the Bulldogs have now lost their crown as the best defensive team in the NRL, conceding 78 points in the last two games.

They’re now third, having conceded 433 points this season, with the Panthers (382) and Sharks (411) now with better defensive records — although both still have their round 27 matches to come.

It’ll be a concern for coach Cameron Ciraldo as the Bulldogs were way off the pace.

“The Cowboys complete an absolute demolition job at Accor Stadium,” Andrew Voss said on Fox Sports.

“A statement made a week out from the finals kicking off.”

Mal Meninga called the performance “inept” from the Bulldogs.

The Cowboys were all over the Bulldogs. Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images

After Canterbury booked its place in the finals for the first time in eight season on the back of a five-game winning streak, the side has limped into the finals on the back of two losses in front of big home crowds at Accor Stadium.

It’s a horrible lead-in for the blue and whites whose fans started leaving midway through the second half as returning skipper Stephen Crichton suffered the heaviest loss of his NRL career.

None of their forwards ran for 100 metres while their outside backs rarely threatened with Josh Addo-Carr (ankle), Bronson Xerri (suspended) and Jeral Skelton (leg) all out.

But the man they really missed was five-eighth Matt Burton (head knock), with Drew Hutchison hooked at half-time after he offered little in attack and threw a pass that was intercepted by Kyle Feldt.

Fans were stunned by the lopsided nature of the result.

Western Weekender NRL reporter Lachlan Jeffrey posted: “I’m at a loss for words at that game. I can’t believe what I witnessed.

“Final final incoming for Cowboys (Knights and Dolphins are in danger). Bulldogs will play Manly. Only question now is where.”

Seven News’ Paul Jobber questioned: “Canterbury being found out? Conceded 30-plus in two successive weeks …”

It’s been a bad fortnight for the Bulldogs. Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images

But it appears the alarm bells aren’t ringing too loudly despite Ciraldo conceding there were a few issues that needed to be fixed.

“What’s done is done now, new competition starts next week and we deserve to be there,” he said.

“We fix a couple of really simple things out of that performance, we’ll give ourselves a lot better opportunity next week.”

With Martin Gabor, Newswire

Originally published as ‘Can’t believe what I witnessed’: NRL stunned as ‘inept’ Bulldogs thrashed