Crichton dodges ban for knee contact on Dragons flyer as teammate cops a shiner

Bulldogs captain Stephen Crichton will be free to lead his side at Belmore Oval after being served with an $1800 fine for collecting Dragons winger Christian Tuipulotu with his knees as he tried to save a try on Saturday.

Crichton and Canterbury back-rowers Jacob Preston and Jaeman Salmon were all put on report in the Bulldogs fiery 28-20 derby victory at Jubilee Stadium, though only Crichton and Preston were issued grade 1 dangerous contact charges by the Match Review Committee.

Both players will be free to play against the Titans next Sunday by paying monetary fines. Preston was charged for hitting Valentine Holmes off the ball in the first half.

Crichton’s slide into Tuipulotu resulted in a penalty try being awarded given the St George Illawarra flyer dropped the ball after Crichton’s illegal contact, which prompted a spray from Tuipulotu afterwards.

Crichton raised eyebrows as well when he left the field in the 71st minute due to severe cramps, but is not expected to be in any doubt for Canterbury’s round 2 return to Belmore.

“He was cramping up. He was camping in his calves, glutes and groin I think,” Ciraldo said in his post-match press conference.

“He was doing his best but we were better off getting him off and sort of adjusting to it.”

Bulldogs utility Kurt Mann is also sporting an impressive black eye courtesy of incidental contact from Tuipulotu, which Mann provided an update on via social media on Sunday.

Dragons Emre Guler (hip drop) and Mat Feagai (dangerous contact) will not miss Saturday’s clash against South Sydney after they were issued $1800 and $1000 fines respectively out of the Bulldogs loss.