Addo-Carr injury caps miserable trip to Parramatta for Bulldogs, Dragons too good for Titans

KEY POINTS

Zac attack. Is Zac Lomax a winger? A case can be made in the affirmative after this effort. While debate will continue over whether this is the best use of the $800,000 per annum Dragons star, the early signs are promising. To his credit, Lomax has maintained he is prepared to play wherever required and has never run for more metres, finishing with 255 and a try for good measure. Regardless, rival clubs are watching closely. There’s no shifting Moses Suli from the centres: the former Tigers, Sea Eagles and Bulldogs three-quarter looks like he’s finally about to deliver on his promise. Lomax was mooted as a fullback option, but Tyrell Sloan scored a triple and showed why he’s an X-factor at the back.

Titans waste their early chances. Given they have Jason Saab, Reuben Garrick, Tolutau Koula and Tom Trbojevic at their disposal, Manly have the fastest back line in the game. However, the Gold Coast wouldn’t be far behind. Keano Kini, Alofiana Khan-Pereira and Phillip Sami are lightning quick and the challenge for Des Hasler is ensuring they get opportunities in space. The Titans dropped the ball only once in the entire opening half, but the back three never had a chance to cash in. This is where the Titans lost the game; they had 61 per cent of possession in the opening stanza and didn’t have enough to show for it. And they capitulated in the second stanza.

Coaching capers. This was the first game for Shane Flanagan and Des Hasler after significant sabbaticals. It was a night of contrasting fortunes for the premiership-winning coaches. Flanagan watched his son, Kyle, score a try in his Red V debut. Flanagan jnr combined well with halves partner Ben Hunt, but the surprise packet was Jacob Liddle. This was the underrated hooker’s best game. Hasler, meanwhile, would be wondering why he re-entered the coaching box. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui’s opening stint was a rare bright spot. The Titans missed Kieran Foran and David Fifita, but there will be plenty of work for Hasler during next week’s bye as they attempt to regroup for the round-three clash with Canterbury.

KEY POINTS

Foxx injured. Josh Addo-Carr suffered an injured right AC joint and failed to return in the second half. He watched from the sideline with his arm in a sling. It is a shame because Addo-Carr had adopted a carnivore diet, beefed up over the summer, and wanted to start the year fast. Should the injury prove serious, Bronson Xerri comes into contention next Friday against none other than Cronulla, the club he was at before he was rubbed out by a four-year ban.

Groin blow for Moses. Dylan Brown took over kicking duties in his 100th game after Mitch Moses suffered a groin injury. Moses said he felt a tweak in his right groin when kicking for touch. He will undergo scans, but declared himself a certain starter on Friday against Penrith. It was nice knowing Brown is finally senior enough to step up in Moses’ absence.

The Carty party. Bryce Cartwright bulked up seven kilos in the off-season – his dodgy knee allowed him to finally get stuck into a decent leg-weights program – and the new physique made him a handful on the left edge. He was good in defence, and finished with a couple of deserved tries. He did not back away from Viliame Kikau or Stephen Crichton, and will relish the challenge next week against Penrith’s Liam Martin.

WHAT THE COACHES SAID

Canterbury coach Cameron Ciraldo: “He’s [Josh Addo-Carr] not great. He’s going for scans tonight. He could have something broken up in his shoulder. It showed plenty of grit to play through until half-time. He didn’t carry it into the game. For the ‘Foxx’ to get through to half-time, it’s a massive testament to his courage. He put the team first, and he set a great example for the rest of the team. The good thing about our squad is we have plenty of depth.”

Parramatta coach Brad Arthur: “Mitchell [Moses] said he would be right, and he would get himself through. They said his groin was a bit sore, but he was OK, and to not kick, that was the feedback [from the doctors]. I thought about [taking him off], but the guys told me he was OK, and the carry-on from Mitchell trying to get him off the field wouldn’t have been worth it.”

Canterbury lost 26-8 but, more crucially, they lost Josh Addo-Carr to an injured right AC joint – and could also lose Viliame Kikau to suspension after a tough afternoon in Parramatta.

The Eels had all the possession at CommBank Stadium on Saturday evening as Bryce Cartwright helped himself to a double in front of a bumper crowd of 29,171.

There was a brief scare for the home fans after a couple of Dogs tries, but Bailey Simonsson sealed the win with four minutes remaining.

The only concern for the blue and golds was a groin injury to Mitchell Moses, but it was not bad enough to force him off the field, even when the Eels led 20-0 midway through the second half. Club officials said he would go for precautionary scans.

Moses said after full-time he had tweaked his groin when kicking for touch, and praised Dylan Brown for taking over responsibilities with the boot.

As for being fit to face Penrith on Friday, Moses said: “I’ll be right. I’ll be sweet.”

Josh Addo-Carr on the sideline.Credit: Getty

The Dogs were not so lucky, with representative winger Addo-Carr failing to return in the second half. He was impeded by the injured shoulder, but toughed it out until the break.

Canterbury fans can only hope “The Foxx” is not out of action too long. Should he be missing next Friday, Bronson Xerri looms as a possible replacement – against none other than his old club Cronulla.

Kikau was placed on report just after the hour for racing through and making contact with the legs of Dylan Brown after he had kicked.

Brown, playing his 100th game, was not injured, but the anger of the crowd rang out around the ground. Kikau was also penalised for accidentally kicking out at a player when trying to put boot on ball earlier in the second half.

Canterbury were far from hopeless and did well to only trail 14-0 at half-time when they were forced to get through a mountain of defence.

What did not help the Dogs’ cause was the few times they did have the ball, they spilled it. TV commentators also asked how Canterbury could get new captain Stephen Crichton more involved. He scored a try late in the game, but finished with just eight runs for less than 60 metres.

“It’s not enough is it?” Greg Alexander asked about Crichton’s involvement. “He’s had to go looking for the ball.”

Blake Taaffe, one of seven new faces wearing blue and white, dropped the ball with his first kick return.

(From left) Bailey Simonsson, Morgan Harper and Dylan Brown celebrate.Credit: Getty

When Cartwright scored just before half-time, it kicked the score out to 14-0. The Eels could have led by so much more.

Their completion was excellent. Coach Brad Arthur would have been happy with their patience.

Cartwright deserved his second after he had a big hand in the previous set when the Eels were denied.

Cartwright stripped Sam Hughes and the Eels spread it left for Sean Russell to score. But the bunker instead ordered a Dogs’ dropout.

The back-rower was placed on report for a high shot on Addo-Carr, but is not expected to attract any attention from the match review committee.

Parramatta head down the M4 Motorway on Friday to take on premiers Penrith, who they beat in the final round of the regular season last year.

Canterbury captain Stephen Crichton has scored to get it back to 20-8, a few minutes after Blake Wilson scored in the other corner.

Crichton received the ball from Viliame Kikau as commentators were discussing how on earth the star pair could get more involved.

Bryce Cartwright scores near the upright to make it 20-0.

This is getting ugly for the Dogs now.

Cartwright had done well the previous set to strip the ball from Sam Hughes before the Eels spread it right for Sean Russell to score.

The bunker ruled the Dogs had already run the ball dead and ordered a dropout. The Eels walked away with the same result.

There will be no comeback. It is a case of whether the Eels get to 40. Just under half an hour to go.

PS: the official crowd is 29,171.

Josh Addo-Carr’s afternoon is over. Bulldogs officials have confirmed the winger has suffered an injury to his right AC joint. Jacob Kiraz has slotted to left wing, while Jaeman Salmon has moved to right centre.

The Eels said Mitchell Moses has a groin injury, but not bad enough to stop him playing.

Josh Addo-Carr is struggling.

The winger has his right arm heavily strapped, and already had it dangling by his side, but when the ball comes his way he still takes the carry.

Might not have been the best decision though, the Bulldogs speedster is in a lot of pain as he is taken over the touch line, and Parramatta start their set close to halfway.

Eels 8, Bulldogs 0 after 36 minutes

Looks like that groin injury is giving Mitch Moses some grief.

A penalty for Parramatta inside the Bulldogs’ 10 metres and the Eels opt to take the kick, but Clint Gutherson takes over kicking duties for Moses.

The kick is good, and the Eels push out their lead.

Eels 8, Bulldogs 0 after 28 minutes

It’s getting pretty relentless for Canterbury out there.

Another goal-line drop-out, but Matt Burton comes up with the goods with a short drop-out that goes Canterbury’s way.

The Bulldogs need a bit of field possession to get them out of some trouble.

Something to watch out for - Mitch Moses has a groin issue, he’s been in the back-field with the trainer to get it sorted.

Eels 6, Bulldogs 0 after 22 minutes

It’s Parramatta on the board first, and the points come from new recruit Morgan Harper.

The former Sea Eagle scoops up a classy kick from Dylan Brown and plants it down just before the ball goes dead.

The kick from Mitchell Moses is good and the Eels take the lead.

Eels 6, Bulldogs 0 after 13 minutes