Bronson Xerri, wearing opposition colours, returned to Shark Park for the first time since 2019. The two tries he scored helped propel Canterbury to the top of the ladder, as the NRL’s only undefeated team.
It’s a victory Cameron Ciraldo’s men achieved without Matt Burton and Viliame Kikau, at a ground they last won at way back in 2011.
Given this occurred on a weekend when the Panthers, Storm and Roosters all lost – that hasn’t happened since April of 2017 – perhaps this year’s premiership is more open than first thought. Xerri’s big night could have been even bigger still. It appeared the former Shark had a try assist to go with the two he scored, only for the bunker to intervene.
“I thought he was awesome,” Ciraldo said of Xerri.
“Bronson just impresses me more every week. He’s just really walking towards pressure situations, he’s working hard on his craft.
“We all knew he was a real talented guy coming through and at the moment he’s become the real work ethic guy.
“We’re sort of challenging him to bring back more of those talent plays that he’s known for and add that to the work-ethic plays that he’s been having for the first four rounds and in the last 12 months.
“Nothing fazed him tonight. I thought he was brilliant.”
This was arguably the best match of the season. Cronulla began the encounter at full strength, but were reduced to a 15-man rotation after losing Kayal Iro (hamstring) and Siosifa Talakai (concussion).
They still managed to fire plenty of shots but could breach the blue-and-white defence only once.
For all of the brilliant attacking plays produced at Shark Park, the try-savers by Harry Hayes and Marcelo Montoya were the highlights.
“We’re coming here against a consistent top-four team and whether we won or lost, at least we’d have a line in the sand with where we’re at,” Ciraldo said. “I’m very happy with how the game went.”
When Stephen Crichton scored a crucial second-half try, through a channel in which Iro would have been defending, he understood the enormity of the moment. The Canterbury captain celebrated by booting the Steeden, which sailed over the Monty Porter stand. This was both a win and a statement.
A late moment of madness may temper the celebrations. With no time left on the clock, Bulldogs forward Sitili Tupouniua was sent to the sin bin for a dangerous hit that didn’t need to be inflicted.
It may result in time on the sideline.
Midway through the week, Canterbury pulled out of the race for the signature of Daly Cherry-Evans.
There has been a belief that the Bulldogs may be a star playmaker short of being a genuine contender. Perhaps a rethink is required.
Toby Sexton, still playing for a new contract, was solid. Bailey Hayward, filling in for Burton, proved more than capable in just his second game as a starting five-eighth. Maybe Ciraldo already has everything he needs.
