The Serve

Horror night of injuries for Bulldogs

A devastating injury count for the Bulldogs crippled their chances of putting away last-placed Penrith, with the toll threatening to derail their season.

Despite missing stars Sonny Bill Williams, Mark O’Meley and Willie Tonga, the Bulldogs opened a handy 14-4 half time lead. The home side though had lost Willie Mason just before the break with a dislocated wrist, while winger Cameron Phelps had a suspected fractured cheekbone.

The diminished bench was quickly exposed by Panthers, who laid on 26 unanswered points. Penrith winger Nick Youngquest scored two of Penrith’s six tries. To add further damage, Bulldogs interchange forward Aaron Wheatley suffered a dislocated shoulder

A miracle comeback was on the cards though when Nick Kouparitsas scored in the 74th minute, followed by a video referee’s decision on a Heka Nanai try. An accidental offside following a strip from Panthers five-eighth Richie Williams denied the Dogs a potential grandstand finish.

Penrith breaks a five game losing streak and jumps ahead of the Roosters on the ladder, albeit potentially only temporarily. “We created some opportunities in the first half, but made some mistakes”, said Panthers skipper Craig Gower on Fox Sports.

“Obviously they had some injuries, and some big names (injured), so that made the job easier”