'Big collision' rocks Bulldogs star in minute of misery

It was a minute of misery for Bulldogs star Kurt Mann, who was placed on report and suffered a head knock in successive plays.

Late in the first half of Thursday night's 28-4 win over the Panthers, the 32-year-old was forced from the field after reeling out of contact from Paul Alamoti.

Mann immediately dropped to the floor and clutched at his face, with Canterbury trainer Travis Touma rushing to his side in the middle of Accor Stadium.

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"Mann has come out the back of this poorly, that's a big collision," lead caller Mat Thompson said on the Nine broadcast.

While he was being attended to, referee Wyatt Raymond informed skipper Stephen Crichton that Mann was being penalised and placed on report for the previous tackle.

"He's on report and he's been knocked senseless in the next tackle," Thompson said.

The tough utility eventually got to his feet with blood coming out of his nose and left the field with the assistance of Canterbury staff.

Earlier in the first half, teammate Jacob Preston was also placed on report for a trip.

The hosts took a 10-0 lead into the break against a Penrith side that was without the majority of their front-line players as Ivan Cleary rests his stars before the finals.

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Perhaps surprisingly, Mann was cleared to return to the field in the second half, but he did have plenty of swelling around his face and nose from the Alamoti collision.

After losing starting hooker Luke Sommerton to a head knock in the first half, Penrith's Soni Luke was then forced from the field for the same reason in the 47th minute.

The hosts extended their lead when Preston crossed for his second try of the night, before Matt Burton joined the party to make it a 22-point margin.

Preston makes it a double

Last year's grand final hero Alamoti gave the Panthers fans something to cheer about when he scored out wide in the 57th minute.

The talented speedster, who has fallen out of favour this season due to the rise of cult hero Tom Jenkins, latched onto a pass from Daine Laurie.

Preston made it a hat-trick for the night with 13 minutes to go, but the concerns weren't over for the Dogs when gun winger Jacob Kiraz went down with an ankle injury.

"That's a worry," Cameron Smith said on Nine.

Bulldogs dealt troubling late blow

It was soon confirmed by Nine's Danika Mason that it was a suspected syndesmosis injury for Kiraz, who went straight up the tunnel and into the Bulldogs sheds.

Canterbury's win locks in a top-four spot for Cameron Ciraldo's men, but it came at a cost with Kiraz likely to spend time on the sidelines.

"It's a bit swollen in there, so it doesn't look great," Ciraldo said post-game.

"Hopefully it's just a rolled ankle. He will get scans tomorrow."

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