Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo has admitted his side’s injury crisis goes even deeper than what appears on paper.
In their 30-4 loss to the Eels, the Bulldogs lost gun winger Jacob Kiraz to an MCL strain, while doubt remains over Jake Averillo’s fitness after he played out the match despite clearly being hampered by a kneecap injury.
The extent of Averillo’s injury was laid bare in the Eels second try, when he was unable to make what appeared to be a routine tackle on Clint Gutherson, purely because he appeared unable to move quick enough to get there in time.
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Instead, Gutherson threw a beaty of a pass to Maika Sivo, who scored.
Earlier in the week, the Bulldogs lost Viliame Kikau to a pectoral tear at training through the week, while Josh Addo-Carr is still weeks away from returning from his own syndesmosis injury and subsequent surgery.
The club has listed as many as 10 players on its injured list from week-to-week at times this season.
At half time against the Eels, Blues coach Brad Fittler questioned why Averillo hadn’t been taken from the field.
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“You have Matt Burton who played for Australia in the centres, and Josh Reynolds, a recognised five eighth, on the bench,” he said at half time on Nine.
“I’m not sure what the coach is waiting for.
“Absolutely [they should make the change] – he can’t run. It’ll be interesting if he comes out [in the second half].
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“I’m sure he’ll get time to sit down with the coach in a moment and the medical staff, but it just looks like he’s a passenger.”
But Ciraldo said the extent of his injury crisis meant Averillo simply had to stay on the field.
“Jack was battling, there were a couple of other guys out there battling that probably shouldn’t be playing at the moment,” he said.
“But they’re playing because we need them to play.”
Having been asked a similar question each of the past few weeks, Ciraldo said this was now the worst injury crisis he had ever been involved in as a coach at any level.
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But he was still apprehensive.
“These things happen … I’ve seen a number of times over the years where it looks unlucky and feels unlucky, but it’s just footy,” he said.
“That’s why you’ve got a top-30. We’ve got guys there who are going to have to come in and do the job and be the next man up.
“Our New South Wales Cup team is playing really well. This is why you have a club with all three grades, and all aspiring to be NRL players.
“Some of those guys are gonna get their chances over the next few weeks and I’m excited to see how they go.”
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