The Bulldogs have been delivered an injury nightmare with skipper Stephen Crichton leaving the field due to a possible syndesmosis injury.
In the first half of Canterbury’s finals clash with the Storm, the gun centre reeled out of a tackle in visible pain.
“I don’t know how he stays out there,” Greg Alexander said in commentary.
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Crichton bravely battled on for several sets, but the injury continued to hamper his movement before he was replaced by bench utility Toby Sexton.
Bulldogs medicos will reportedly make an assessment regarding the severity of his injury before a decision is made regarding whether he can return to the field.
Crichton was spotted in the changerooms testing his injury with club staff, but should he have suffered a confirmed syndesmosis blow is facing eight weeks on the sidelines if he requires surgery.
However, he could return in as soon as four weeks if less severe — meaning the gun centre could be rubbed for the remainder of the season and potentially the Pacific Champioships.
In a positive moment for the Bulldogs, with one of his first touches, Sexton scored after an offload which struck his legs which he scooped up and crossed the white line.
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Viliame Kikau, meanwhile, also suffered an injury blow in the first minute of the finals clash, copping a stray elbow while tackling Will Warbrick.
The gun back rower was left flat on the turf and left the field before he was ultimately cleared of any serious injury and returned to the action.
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