In a dramatic turn of events for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, the club is gearing up to contest a three-game suspension for their star forward Jacob Preston at the NRL judiciary. Preston faces this suspension due to a grade-one crusher tackle he committed against Gold Coast Titans captain Tino Fa'asuamaleaui during the Bulldogs' 38-18 victory at Magic Round on May 4, 2025.
Preston has pleaded not guilty to the charge and will face the judiciary on Tuesday night, May 6, 2025. If the Bulldogs are successful in their appeal, Preston will avoid any suspension altogether. However, if the judiciary rules against him, he risks an additional week on his ban, which would severely jeopardize his chances of being selected for the New South Wales Blues in the upcoming State of Origin opener later this month.
Canterbury is already feeling the impact of suspensions, as they will also be without forwards Sitili Tupouniua and Josh Curran for their away clash against the Canberra Raiders on Saturday, May 10, 2025. The mounting injuries and suspensions have left the Bulldogs in a precarious position as they approach a crucial part of the season.
Meanwhile, the Melbourne Storm have received some good news as forwards Trent Loiero and Stefano Utoikamanu were cleared by the match review committee after the controversial finish to their match against the Canberra Raiders. The Storm lost that match 20-18 in golden point, a game filled with contentious calls that left many questioning the officiating.
In a pivotal moment during the match, the Storm appeared to have taken a commanding lead when fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen successfully kicked a field goal in the 75th minute, putting them ahead 19-12. However, the Bunker intervened, ruling that Loiero had elbowed Raiders captain Joseph Tapine in a previous play, which led to the reversal of the field goal. This decision proved crucial as the Raiders rallied back to level the score through a stunning try from fullback Kaeo Weekes.
As the game progressed into golden point, the Storm found themselves in a position to reclaim the lead. However, Utoikamanu was sin-binned for stomping on hooker Tom Starling during a play-the-ball, a decision that left him frustrated. "The game was in the balance and ... I let the team down," Utoikamanu said, reflecting on the incident. "I was trying to play the ball and move Tom Starling out of the way. It wasn't the right play at the time, especially when you have been warned from the refs about that sort of stuff."
With Utoikamanu sidelined, the Raiders capitalized on the opportunity. Raiders skipper Jamal Fogarty landed a penalty after Loiero was penalized for a high tackle on Hudson Young, sealing the win for Canberra. Storm coach Craig Bellamy was critical of his team’s lack of discipline in key moments but also hinted that the officiating did not favor his side. When asked if the Storm were "hard done by," Bellamy responded, "You can say that if you like."
Despite the controversy surrounding the match, both Loiero and Utoikamanu were ultimately cleared to play in their upcoming home game against the Wests Tigers on Sunday, May 11, 2025. This decision comes as a relief to the Storm, who will need their full squad as they push for a strong finish to the season.
Papenhuyzen, who expressed his frustration after the match, had predicted that Utoikamanu would escape punishment. "We are playing rugby league," he said. "You are trying to get a quick play-the-ball. It is a tough thing to swallow. He is going to be on report for that, but watch him get off it." His words turned out to be prophetic as Utoikamanu was indeed cleared.
As for the Bulldogs, the situation surrounding Preston remains tense. Canterbury general manager Phil Gould has refrained from discussing the matter publicly, maintaining a stoic silence when pressed for comments about Preston's impending judiciary appearance. Gould, however, did reveal that Fa'asuamaleaui had spoken with the Bulldogs after the incident, seemingly in support of Preston. "He had a discussion," Gould mentioned, hinting at a potential leniency in the situation.
Former NRL stars Cameron Smith and Paul Gallen also weighed in on the controversy, with Smith suggesting that there was minimal pressure on Fa'asuamaleaui's head during the tackle. Gallen added that a potential four-match ban for Preston would be "very, very harsh," indicating a belief that the punishment may not fit the crime.
As the Bulldogs prepare for their judiciary hearing, the stakes could not be higher. A successful appeal could see Preston back on the field in no time, while a failed one could not only sideline him for weeks but also dash his hopes for a State of Origin debut. The NRL landscape is shifting rapidly, and all eyes will be on the judiciary as they make their ruling.
The drama surrounding the Bulldogs and Storm highlights the intense pressure and scrutiny that players face in the NRL, especially as the season heats up. With critical matches on the horizon and playoff spots at stake, every decision made by the judiciary could have far-reaching implications for teams and players alike.
