NRL’s Bulldogs chasing 87-year first on Good Friday
Jasper Bruce |
Canterbury are eyeing the record for largest regular-season crowd in NRL history but that might not be the only slice of history waiting for the Bulldogs on Good Friday.
If Cameron Ciraldo’s men defeat annual Easter foes South Sydney at Accor Stadium, they would be on the equal-best start to the season in Bulldogs history, and the club’s best in 87 years.
Undefeated through five games, the Bulldogs have only won their first six games of a season once before, in the fourth year of their existence in 1938.
The club finished atop the table and broke through for a maiden premiership that year.
“It’s kind of crazy,” winger Jacob Kiraz said of the statistic.
“When we were going 2-0, we said (let’s try for) 3-0, and then it’s kept going.
“It’s still the early rounds. We’re just focused on this week and hopefully we go 6-0. That’d be pretty crazy.”
The ongoing season is among only five in the Bulldogs’ 91-year history during which they have won all of their first five premiership games.
In all of the others – 1938, 1947, 1974 and 1993 – the Bulldogs either made the grand final or finished atop the ladder, or both in the case of 1938.
Kiraz felt things were finally beginning to click for last year’s elimination finalists in their third season under head coach Cameron Ciraldo.
“Everyone knows their roles. We’ve got a really good friendship group. We’re all like brothers, we love each other, honestly,” he said.
“Out on the field, you’ll see, if one of us stuffs up or makes a mistake, all the other boys back them up and help them. That’s what it’s about. It’s the attitude.”
The Good Friday clash with Souths is on track to break the record for largest standalone regular-season crowd in premiership history, currently 59,708 from a 2013 clash between the Rabbitohs and Sydney Roosters.
By last week, Bulldogs membership staff had been confident of a crowd above 60,000, with 70,000 now a realistic target as the two clubs hit form through six rounds.
Not since 2016 have both sides sat in the top eight heading into a Good Friday clash, with fifth-placed Souths overcoming injury woes to post a 4-2 record.
“Hopefully (the crowd) does hit those numbers … it just shows how big of a game it is and day it is,” said Kiraz.
Five-eighth Matt Burton and second-rower Viliame Kikau are pushing to return from knee injuries to line up against Souths.
“They were training today, but I honestly wouldn’t know (if they’re going to play),” said prop Max King.
“I tried to ask the physios, but there’s new staff coming in every day. My best bet is a ‘yes’ but we’ll see how we go.
“I think naturally from the injury that Burto was always a bit better, and I think if we didn’t have the bye then Burto may have been back last week.”
AAP
