Bulldogs run over the top as Knights bench crippled by horror injury toll

The Newcastle Knights' bench was decimated as the Canterbury Bulldogs shook off a try-less first half to win 20-0 at Accor Stadium on Sunday night.

With a clean sheet and the win, the Bulldogs remain undefeated in 2025 and top the table.

In a horror start for the visitors, the Knights lost two players to injury in the opening two minutes, and if not for their valiant defensive display, the scoreline could have been a lot bleaker.

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First, winger James Schiller failed a category one HIA following a nasty head clash with Bulldogs prop Daniel Suluka-Fifita in just the second tackle of the game.

Seconds later, Jacob Saifiti came from the field and was quickly ruled out with a calf injury.

It was later revealed that the prop sustained the injury while running onto the field to start the match.

"He must've been pumped up," Cooper Cronk said in commentary for Fox Sports regarding the odd timing of Saifiti's injury.

A captain's challenge from the Bulldogs in the second minute paid dividends, with the Bunker's review uncovering a strip.

Stephen Crichton booted the penalty goal to give the hosts an early two-point lead when tries were hard to come by.

Adding to the match's injury carnage, Crichton went down momentarily with an arm injury.

After his shoulder got caught awkwardly in a tackle, Crichton immediately went to ground and withered in pain.

Crichton was tended to by Bulldogs medical staff, who assessed his shoulder and wrist before he got to his feet and played on. He later said the issue was nerve-related.

The Knights' bulletproof defensive play in the opening half saw the first 40 minutes go without a linebreak or try.

Repelling set after set from the Bulldogs, the Knights' defence stood tall and refused to concede.

While the Bulldogs held 60 per cent of possession in the first half, the Knights continued to get through their sets to keep them in the contest.

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Canterbury finally broke through in the 41st minute with Josh Curran getting the ball down after Jacob Kiraz batted the ball back from the tryline.

Referee Ashley Klein originally called a no try, but the Bunker deemed that the ball was not knocked on by Kiraz and that Curran had control as he grounded the ball in the process of catching it.

Newcastle hooker Phoenix Crossland was sent to the bin for tripping Toby Sexton in 45th minute.

"You cannot argue with that. That's a blatant trip ... Adam O'Brien knows it," Cronk said as the broadcast showed the Knights coach looking ropeable.

Making up for lost time, and with the Knights down a man, the Bulldogs went back-to-back as Jack Todd crossed.

Just when you thought things could not get worse for Newcastle, the side was reduced to a 14-man rotation after Jack Hetherington injured his shoulder.

Having earlier been denied a try, milestone man Kurt Mann muscled his way over to score in his 200th first-grade game.

Adding to the Knights' pain, Adam Elliott, Jayden Brailey and Dane Gagai were all placed on report for different incidents.