NRL 2025: Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 20 d. Newcastle Knights 0

It was a grinding win harking back to the days of the Dogs of War as Canterbury beat Newcastle to remain clear at the top of the table.

Canterbury-Bankstown remain undefeated at the top of the NRL table after a grinding 20-0 win over Newcastle.

Cameron Ciraldo’s team was tedious to watch at times on Sunday evening. Despite holding 58 per cent of possession in the first half, they barely chanced their hand in attack, and only led 2-0 at the break thanks to a 4th-minute penalty, kicked by skipper Stephen Crichton.

But their superb kick-chase and tenacious goal line defence sapped Newcastle of their energy, allowing the home side to assert their dominance in the second half.

Back-rower Josh Curran grabbed the first try in the 42nd minute when he pounced on a Toby Sexton kick that had been batted back by Jacob Kiraz.

Jacob Kiraz returned from injury in the win. Picture: NRL Photos

Two minutes later, Knights hooker Phoenix Crossland was sent to the sin bin after tripping Sexton and from the ensuing set Dogs rookie Jack Todd grabbed his debut NRL try in his second first-grade game.

Leading 14-0 after 47 minutes, Canterbury would ultimately seal the game with 10 remaining when Kurt Mann celebrated his 200th appearance by pushing past Jermaine McEwen and Mat Croker to grab a well-deserved meat pie.

This dominant win means the Belmore Boys remain the only undefeated team in the competition. Additionally, they have held their opponents to less than 10 points in each of their last three wins.

This last occurred in 1993, a year in which they won the minor premiership under the coaching of Chris Anderson.

Despite plenty of effort, the Knights couldn’t score. Picture: NRL Photos

Knightmare Start

In reality, Newcastle was up against it from the outset having been reduced to 15 players in the opening three minutes of play.

First centre James Schiller was withdrawn from the game after copping a head knock in a Daniel Suluka-Fifita tackle.

Schiller was immediately followed up the tunnel by prop Jacob Saifiti, who succumbed to a calf injury he picked up while running onto the field.

Originally published as NRL 2025: Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 20 d. Newcastle Knights 0