Canterbury Bulldogs football boss Phil Gould has gone against coach Cameron Ciraldo’s wishes and explained exactly why Bronson Xerri didn’t go on the field after Stephen Crichton’s injury.
During the Bulldogs’ loss to South Sydney on Friday, Origin centre Crichton injured his AC joint in the second half and was replaced by playmaker Sean O’Sullivan.
O’Sullivan went into the halves and Matt Burton shifted to centre with Cameron Smith calling it a “strange move” on Nine’s coverage.
On Nine’s 100% Footy, Gould explained the plan was to get Crichton off the field and give him a needle before getting him back on the field.
However, the severity of Crichton’s injury became obvious when he reached the dressing sheds.
“He took his shirt off and his collarbone is sitting high on his shoulder, so it’s going to take time for that to settle down,” Gould said.
Paul Gallen then asked for an explanation as to why Xerri wasn’t on the field to which Gould responded: “you’re going to get me in trouble Gal”.
“The coach didn’t want me to say this but I’m going to say it,” he continued.
Gould then reiterated how the medical staff hoped they could get Crichton back on the field before explaining the mix-up was to do with the six-man bench rule.
“Cameron’s (Ciraldo) used three bodies, he’s used (Lipoi) Hopoi, (Sitili) Tupouniua and (Kurt) Mann. Sean O’Sullivan is there to cover halves and hooker, if he puts Bronson on he can’t go and use Sean if one of those (players) go down,” he explained.
“He was told Critta (Crichton) would be back in five minutes and thought ‘well I’m not putting Bronson out there for five minutes, I’ll put Sean on and then Sean can go and give Bailey Hayward a rest and Critta will be back’.
“Five minutes later the message comes that Critta’s not coming back and he’s already made the replacement. At the press conference he was asked about it and said he needed Sean to do some leadership, he didn’t want to offend the doctor.
“I said ‘you’re not offending the doctor, the doctor doesn’t have X-ray vision, you made a call, it’s in the heat of the battle and the call ends up different five minutes later, you can’t help that’. That’s the only reason Bronson wasn’t put on.”
Gould further explained there was only minutes to make the decision and it ended up hurting them because Hayward couldn’t receive a rest.
The Bulldogs boss also confirmed Xerri will play on Thursday night against Penrith.
“Bronson’s been great, he’s been absolutely terrific … he was always going to get his opportunity again,” Gould said.
It comes amid speculation Xerri is unhappy at being snubbed by Ciraldo and is poised to seek a release.
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