LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
Winger Jacob Kiraz has expressed his willingness to continue playing through pain with the aid of painkilling injections as the battered Canterbury Bulldogs turn to an inexperienced halves pairing of Lachlan Galvin and Toby Sexton in their efforts to salvage their NRL season.
Following a tough 26-18 loss to the Melbourne Storm, injuries have compelled Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo to execute significant changes ahead of their crucial semifinal against Penrith this Sunday.
Galvin and Sexton will collaborate in the halves for only the third time this season, with regular five-eighth Matt Burton shifting to center to compensate for the absence of injured captain Stephen Crichton.
Although Crichton has been named on an extended bench, his participation against his former team appears unlikely due to an ongoing ankle injury.
Despite Bailey Hayward's struggles in the previous match, where he missed 15 tackles, Ciraldo has chosen to retain him as hooker, while Reed Mahoney has been added to Canterbury's bench.
Sunday's matchup will mark the first instance this season of the Bulldogs fielding a spine made up of Hayward, Galvin, Sexton, and fullback Connor Tracey.
In the centers, Burton will team up with Bronson Xerri, while Jethro Rinakama retains his position on the wing alongside the diligent Kiraz, who managed to come through the Storm game unscathed.
The 23-year-old Kiraz was initially considered unlikely to participate in the finals series after exiting the Dogs' round 26 victory over Penrith with an ankle injury that was predicted to sideline him for at least a month.