NRL Casualty Ward: Decimated Bulldogs Forwards Rocked by New Injury as Phil Gould Reveals Forward Has Fracture Setback
The injury crisis at the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs has deepened, with the club confirming another major blow to their already-depleted forward pack. In a season plagued by fitness woes, Bulldogs football boss Phil Gould has revealed that a key forward has suffered a fresh injury setback, further complicating the team’s path forward in the 2025 NRL campaign.
In an appearance on Nine’s 100% Footy, Gould disclosed that prop Chris Patolo has sustained a fractured wrist in training, ruling him out indefinitely. The news comes as a bitter pill for the Bulldogs, who have already been dealing with a string of serious injuries to their forward stocks.
“This is just one of those seasons where everything that can go wrong, has gone wrong,” Gould said. “Chris was looking good and pushing for selection again, but now we’re looking at several weeks on the sideline, potentially longer depending on how the fracture heals.”
The injury to Patolo compounds the Bulldogs’ front-row crisis, with Tevita Pangai Junior already sidelined due to a hamstring issue and captain Max King nursing a rib cartilage injury. Add to that the ongoing absence of Viliame Kikau (pectoral), and Canterbury’s pack now looks worryingly thin heading into a crucial stretch of the season.
Head coach Cameron Ciraldo now faces a selection headache ahead of their next fixture, with limited experienced options remaining. Emerging forward Kurtis Morrin is expected to be promoted to the starting lineup, while back-rower Josh Curran could be pushed into the middle to help shore up the rotation.
“Depth is being tested across the board,” Ciraldo admitted. “It’s a huge challenge, but it also gives our younger guys a shot to show what they’ve got at the top level.”
The Bulldogs’ injury woes have played a role in their inconsistent performances this season. Despite flashes of promise, particularly from rookie fullback Connor Tracey and playmaker Matt Burton, the lack of forward momentum has often left the team on the back foot against stronger packs.
As the NRL approaches the midpoint of the season, Canterbury’s medical and coaching staff are now under pressure to manage recovery timelines and player workloads effectively, especially with State of Origin selections looming.
Fans will be hoping the club can weather the storm and avoid falling further down the ladder as they await the return of their key enforcers. For now, the Bulldogs must rally behind their remaining troops and continue the fight.
“We won’t use injuries as an excuse,” Gould said. “We’ll find a way forward.”
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