The Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs celebrated a commanding victory against the Gold Coast Titans, winning 40-24 at Belmore Sports Ground on March 16, 2025. While the Bulldogs showcased stellar teamwork and high spirits throughout the match, the joy of victory was overshadowed by injuries to star players Matt Burton and Viliame Kikau.
With the match kicking off at 6:15 PM AEDT, the Bulldogs had home-field advantage which they capitalized on early. They surged out of the gate like champions, scoring four quick tries within the first 20 minutes, with Marcelo Montoya, Jaeman Salmon, Reed Mahoney, and Josh Curran all putting their names on the scoreboard. Bulldogs fans, with a crowd of 17,892, were electrified as their team led 22-0.
But the first half did not remain entirely injury-free for the Bulldogs. A devastating blow to the team occurred when five-eighth Matt Burton suffered a suspected medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury, forcing him to leave the field and create unease among his teammates and fans alike. Burton is expected to be sidelined for at least four weeks, following scans scheduled for the following Monday.
Despite the injury setback, the Bulldogs maintained composure, returning to the field with their collective strength to continue the onslaught. Jacob Preston and Kurt Mann scored tries after halftime, restoring stability as they quickly re-established their lead. Meanwhile, the Titans, fighting back, saw Alofiana Khan-Pereira score twice within the first half. Their resilience was highlighted by Tino Fa'asuamaleaui returning from his own injury, adding to the Titans' scoreline with his touchdown.
While the Bulldogs appeared to dominate initially, the Titans found their rhythm as Jojo Fifita and Khan-Pereira made significant impacts. Following back-to-back tries from the Titans, the game seemed to stiffen toward the end, leaving fans on the edge of their seats.
Chaos ensued again for the Bulldogs when Kikau limped off with another suspected MCL injury late in the match, compounding the team's injury woes. Just before the full-time whistle, Connor Tracey sealed the victory with another try, finalizing their score at 40-24. The triumph marked the Bulldogs' second straight win of the 2025 season.
Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo reflected on the game, stating, "I just checked Gus’ Twitter and they’re both getting scans in the next 24 hours, so hopefully we’ll know more then." He voiced concerns and hope for both players’ recovery times, stressing the desire to have them back for the season's next phases.
On the other hand, the Titans faced criticism for their performance, particularly after their lackluster first 20 minutes which included keeping key player David Fifita on the bench until the game was nearly out of reach. Des Hasler recognized Khan-Pereira's potential after he made significant contributions, but the team’s execution remained questionable.
The Bulldogs' offensive line was impressive, completing 33 out of their 45 sets with 1760 running meters compared to the Titans’ 1457. Both teams were equal on penalties and errors, but the Bulldogs showcased superior offensive execution. Reed Mahoney was placed on report during the match for making contact with Jayden Campbell's leg, but the outcome did not detract from the Bulldogs’ victory.
Aside from the injuries, the Bulldogs put forth an excellent display of play, with Sunia Turuva's hat-trick standing out during the Wests Tigers’ earlier win against the Parramatta Eels on the same day, concluding with a score of 32-6. His play under coach Benji Marshall echoed the focus and determination necessary for success.
With two rounds of play completed, fans are eager to see how the Bulldogs will navigate the loss of key players like Burton and Kikau, whilst ensuring their momentum in the season doesn’t falter. They play their next match against the Melbourne Storm, who are also expected to field new heights challenging the Bulldogs’ spirit.
Overall, the Bulldogs not only solidified their status early on as title contenders with numbers showing remarkable gameplay but also face considerable challenges moving forward. The healing of injured players will be watched closely by supporters as they seek to keep pace with the rest of the league.