The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs are in the midst of their most successful season in a decade, emerging from the weeds of the NRL to become one of the truly elite teams in 2024.
This has been in big part due to the play of star off-season addition Stephen Crichton, who was named captain in his first year with the Bulldogs, after joining the team following three straight premiership seasons with Penrith.
But while Crichton has been a driving force in his team's triumphant return to finals footy, he will be forced to miss a crucial late season clash, after serving a suspension for a high shot against the Warriors Roger Tuivasa-Sheck.
With the Bulldogs currently in fifth, their Round 26 clash against the Sea Eagles will be crucial in realising their top-four dreams, but who will replace their Origin star in the centres?
The obvious choice for Cameron Ciraldo would be to move Jacob Kiraz into the centre position, and then slot Jeral Skelton onto the wing, remembering that Blake Wilson is out injured.
This was the route the team went in Round 13, when Crichton missed the game due to State of Origin duties, with Kiraz donning the number four jersey, and Wilson playing on the wing.
They also attempted a similar structure in Round 18, with Skelton and Wilson out wide, and Kiraz and Drew Hutchison in the centres.
Alternatively, the Bulldogs may opt to replace Crichton with Jaeman Salmon in the centres, and leave Kiraz out wide where he is most dangerous.
This will be Crichton's first suspension during his NRL career, though he has had run ins with the judiciary in the past; in 2021 he was fined for an altercation with Canberra's Joseph Tapine, and in the same year was also fined alongside Nathan Cleary after the pair posted inappropriate social media posts involving the NRL premiership trophy, following Penrith's win.
Whichever route Canterbury chooses to replace their captain, claiming a win against the Sea Eagles will be vital in securing their first top-four finish since 2012, and as a result opening up a more favourable finals run.
