Canterbury’s big win over South Sydney has been marred by ugly scenes involving Jai Arrow and unruly fans.
Arrow had to be restrained, and police forced to intervene when he was being heckled, as he came from the field in the 65th minute.
Souths officials were seen talking with ground officials soon after as Arrow tried to keep his cool.
Witnesses on the sidelines at Accor Stadium, where 65,000 fans gathered for the Good Friday mismatch, described the scenes as confronting and highly emotional.
Bulldogs fans were also heard verbally abusing Souths debutant Lewis Dodd before he finally took the field just before the hour mark.
The Dogs’ 32-0 win means they have now made it six wins from as many games. It was the second straight week they failed to concede a point.
Jai Arrow and Bulldogs fans in heated discussion.
Maybe it is being disrespectful to the table toppers, but we can only take them seriously if they get the job done next Thursday night – the Broncos in Brisbane.
This game was as good as over at half-time, basically because of the sheer weight of possession to Canterbury.
The Bunnies are also a team trying to work out their best halves combination – and what position is best for Latrell Mitchell, who started the game at five-eighth, and spent the second half at left centre.
The Dogs have now dusted St George Illawarra, the Titans, Parramatta, Cronulla, the Knights and now the Bunnies.
Jai Arrow became involved in an incident with Canterbury fans.Credit: Getty Images
If we are being fair dinkum, how many of those clubs, barring the Sharks, will be there in late September.
Which is why next week’s clash against the Broncos, in Brisbane, is looming as Canterbury’s first acid test.
If the table-toppers get the job done against premiership heavyweights Brisbane, the rest of us should jump be queuing up to hop on the bulging giant blue and white bandwagon.
Coach Cameron Ciraldo has done a great with this mob – especially considering they lack a genuine ‘X-factor’ player.
That was the question being asked on the TV commentary when the Dogs led 20-0 at half-time.
Paul Gallen told Nine he was unsure if it would be the Year of the Dog, simply because they lacked that spark in the backline.
Andrew Johns suggested the same, admitting he was unsure if there was enough class in the spine, including fullback Connor Tracey.
Ciraldo has his players believing and playing for each other. They race up in defence, and are simply hungrier than their opponents.
The returning Viliame Kikau dived on a Mitchell pass that went to ground, and a few tackles later Josh Curran was able to score the first try.
Kikau, for what it is worth, did well to avoid being sent to the sin-bin for a high shot that left Campbell Graham bloodied.
Kurt Mann refused to die with the ball late in the first half, fired it out to his right before Jacob Preston, Stephen Crichton and Jacob Kiraz combined to charge down field before sending Sitili Tupouniua over for a four-pointer.
Curran is a gun. So is Matt Burton. Stephen Crichton is a wonderful leader. Jaeman Salmon is happy to play that first-receiver role like Isaah Yeo does at Penrith, but will not receive any proper kudos until he loses the bleached-blond locks.
How good will next Thursday be.
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