Bulldogs Suffer Defeat To Eels

The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs have suffered a 38-20 defeat to the Parramatta Eels.

Despite facing some adversity before and during the clash with Enari Tuala and Jacob Kiraz picking up injuries, the Bulldogs fought right to the end with two late tries, however it was too little, too late.

Tuala was ruled out of the match after suffering a hamstring injury during Captain’s Run, while Kiraz succumbed to a knee injury in the second half.

Tuala’s absence saw Josh Curran, who returned from a rib injury, slot in at centre, while 21-year-old Jonathan Sua replaced Kiraz on the wing in the 44th minute.

Cameron Ciraldo’s men were welcomed out at CommBank Stadium to an almighty roar from the Bulldogs faithful and that energy helped them get on the board first with Bronson Xerri delivering a peach of a flick pass to try-scorer Jacob Kiraz.

However, an error shortly after handed the Eels an opportunity in prime field position and they took it with Josh Addo-Carr crossing in the corner. Ronald Volkman converted to give his side a 6-4 lead.

After setting up Parramatta’s first try, Volkman then scored their second of the afternoon – and added the extras – to take the score to 12-4. But the Eels weren’t done yet with the Home team running in another try before half-time after Joash Papalii pounced on a Brian Kelly grubber.

Already up against it, the Bulldogs copped a major blow just minutes into the second half when Kiraz succumbed to a knee injury he picked up earlier in the match.

The Bulldogs needed to score next to stay in the game and they did exactly that with Lachlan Galvin unleashing his running game and darting for the line.

But that joy was short-lived with the Eels responding seven minutes later through Dylan Walker. Mitchell Moses converted to extend the lead to 24-10.

A penalty goal followed by another Eels try saw the score shoot out to 30-10 with 10 minutes to go, but the Dogs didn’t give up and crossed two more times with Sua scoring his first NRL try before Xerri scored to take the final score to 38-20.

The Bulldogs will now reset and get ready to head to Brisbane to take on the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night.