‘Something’s not right’: ‘Sad’ image makes Bulldogs’ NRL disaster even worse

Canterbury has come into the 2024 NRL season with a new look team but it hasn’t translated on the scoreboard after a horror start.

It's not the sight Bulldogs fans would have wanted to see. Photo: Getty Images

It was shaping as a new era in Canterbury after 10 off-season signings reshaped the Bulldogs’ team, but it’s started just like the old one in round one.

The Parramatta Eels beat the Bulldogs 26-8 at Commbank Stadium, with a pair of tries after mistakes late in the game even flattering the score for the visitors.

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As always in round one, the teams are far from the finished product and there’s still a long way to the finals but the season-opener couldn’t have gone much worse for the Bulldogs.

Coming off a horror season which saw the proud club finishing 15th with the NRL’s worst defence and second worst attack, Saturday’s first hit out did little to convince fans the club’s eight-year finals drought was nearing an end any time soon.

Early in the game, superstar winger Josh Addo-Carr came off worse for wear in a hit up that appeared somewhat line ball but was put on report.

However, Addo-Carr never looked comfortable from there and didn’t return to the field in the second half.

Reports from the ground were Addo-Carr didn’t want to stay off at the half but the team insisted as he has suspected AC joint damage in his shoulder.

In the second half, a downcast Addo-Carr was pictured with his arm in a sling.

“It’s a sad sight, the ‘Fox’ at the end of the tunnel, arm in a sling,” Andrew Voss said. “Not what you want to see from one of your star men.”

Post-game, Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo said Addo-Carr was “not great”, adding he was going for scans after the game and feared there was something broken in his shoulder.

It was a sight no footy fans wanted to see. Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

It was also a long day for Stephen Crichton. Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

It’s a brutal reminder that rugby league is a tough game but in the debut for many of the club’s new stars, including captain Stephen Crichton, it was a day to forget.

Dropped ball saw the Eels absolutely dominating possession, making it almost impossible for the visitors to get going in any meaningful way.

At halftime, the possession share was 68 per cent for the Eels and it was well over 60 per cent deep into the match, finishing at 59 per cent to the home side.

The Bulldogs finally got on the board 15 minutes from time on the back of mistakes from the Eels.

But the away side’s biggest stars were largely absent in front of a packed house in Parramatta.

“I know one observation and it’s going to come into the conversation and I know possession has not favoured Canterbury, but you’ve got Stephen Crichton, you’ve got to find a way to bring him into the game,” Voss said.

“Four touches of the ball through 68 minutes of the game ain’t going to cut it.”

Greg Alexander agreed: “No, it’s not enough is it? He’s had to go looking for the ball as well.

“Very few times have they shifted down the left side that’s involved all three players — Burton, Kikau and Stephen Crichton. It just hasn’t happened.”

Voss said Crichton had had four touches, Kikau had also had four touches, while Burton had two before the 68th minute.

“They’ve had enough possession to use it more than they have,” Alexander said.

Kikau had a shocker. Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

Voss continued: “I still can’t get the analogy out of my head with Canterbury’s attack — they’ve got a lot of sportscars, but they drive on a dirt road. Something’s not right and it’s emphasised here.

“There’s no numbers getting you excited about their attack.”

Alexander however remembered that it was still week one, saying he’s “not convinced this is the finished product and this is their best line up”.

For the record, according to NRL stats, Crichton, who scored soon after, finished with eight runs for 62m, Burton had seven runs for 42m and Kikau, in 67 minutes, had just six runs for 40m.

Only fullback Blake Taaffe (18 runs for 120m), winger Blake Wilson (14 runs for 130m) and centre Jacob Kiraz (18 runs for 152m) had over 100 running metres for the Bulldogs.

The Eels had seven players over 100m with another four players into the 90s.

Fans were fuming throughout the match.

One wrote: “This performance by the Bulldogs is the worst I’ve ever seen a team put on.”

Another suggested: “We have deadset gotten worse.”

A third commented: “All the signings they’ve made and they still dish this up on the field.”

Coach Cameron Ciraldo lamented the lack of possession and the heavy defensive workload.

“I couldn’t have been happier with their effort and commitment in defence,” Ciraldo said.

“We were always going to be a little bit clunky in attack to start the season with a new team and new systems.

“To come back and win the last 20 minutes two tries to one and two tries all in the second half, I thought that was outstanding.”

Originally published as ‘Something’s not right’: ‘Sad’ image makes Bulldogs’ NRL disaster even worse