Injuries can make or break a team's momentum, and right now, the Bulldogs are feeling the heat. Two key players are sidelined just days before the highly anticipated All Stars game, leaving fans and coaches alike on edge. But here's where it gets even more intriguing: the Indigenous and Maori All Stars teams have both suffered last-minute injury setbacks ahead of their Sunday showdown in Hamilton. Could this level the playing field, or will it tip the scales in an unexpected direction?
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The Indigenous team will notably miss Josh Kerr, who’s been ruled out due to an unspecified minor injury. While the details remain unclear, his absence is a significant blow to the squad. Meanwhile, the Maori side has lost Leo Thompson, whose withdrawal was attributed to what Bulldogs GM Phil Gould described as “general tightness” in his calf muscle. But here’s the part most people miss: Gould revealed on X (formerly Twitter) that Thompson will undergo scans upon his return home on Monday, and while there was no apparent acute injury, Thompson admitted he likely wouldn’t have played even if it were a grand final. “That’s a concern,” Gould noted, sparking questions about the player’s long-term fitness.
And this is where it gets controversial: Are teams doing enough to prevent these last-minute injuries, or is the pressure to perform pushing players beyond their limits? Gould’s candid remarks about Thompson’s condition raise eyebrows—if a player can’t compete in a high-stakes game, what does that say about their readiness for the season ahead? Weigh in below: Do you think teams should prioritize player health over immediate performance, or is the risk part of the game? Let’s hear your thoughts!
For now, all eyes are on the All-Star game. Follow our live blog for the latest updates—if you can’t see them, click here! The stage is set, but with these injuries, anything could happen. Who do you think will rise to the occasion?
