The Bulldogs have backed Matt Burton to recreate his 2021 grand final heroics when he lines up in the centres in Sunday's sudden-death final against the Panthers.
The playmaker has been named in the position for the clash at Accor Stadium after Stephen Crichton suffered an ankle injury last weekend, with Toby Sexton coming into the starting side to partner Lachlan Galvin in the halves.
While Burton has played centre just once in his four years at the Bulldogs, he had a highly successful stint in the position during his time in Penrith.
The Dubbo product was named Dally M Centre of the Year in 2021 and scored a crucial try in the 2021 grand final win over South Sydney, his last game in a Panthers jumper.
Burton slices through for the first try of the grand final
"Burto is a classy five-eighth but he's also a classy centre," Bulldogs teammate Jaeman Salmon told ljmpta.com. "He's played centre in big games, he's played a grand final in the centres.
"He can slot in anywhere and do a good job for us. Wherever he's playing he's going to rip in."
Burton's selection in the centres comes as Canterbury navigate a torrid injury toll on the back of last week's physical clash with the Storm.
Jethro Rinakama (ankle), Sexton (sternum) and Viliame Kikau (facial injury) have all been named despite picking up injuries last Friday and look on track to play.
Bulldogs lose Captain Crichton
Crichton has been named in the extended squad but is unlikely to feature on Sunday afternoon, while Enari Tuala's season is likely over with a fractured leg.
In positive news, Marcelo Montoya is a chance of returning from an ankle injury suffered in Round 27 and joins Crichton in the reserves.
Penrith have named a settled squad, with Mitch Kenny in the extended squad as he pushes to return from a hamstring injury.
The similarities between the two teams have been well documented, with a host of stars following Cameron Ciraldo to Belmore as part of his rebuild.
Fullback Dylan Edwards said Burton played a key role in their 2021 title and declared his side will be on high alert this weekend.
"He's won a premiership in the centres so he knows what he's doing," Edwards said. "He's a strong ball runner a great defender and he's got some slick catch-pass skills too.
"He's what you want as a centre and he could definitely be an elite centre if he actually played there."
Match: Bulldogs v Panthers
Finals Week 2 -
home Team
Bulldogs
3rd Position
away Team
Panthers
7th Position
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
The opportunity to slot a former Centre of the Year into the gap left by the reigning Centre of the Year is a luxury few clubs can afford, but it's not an accident.
Ciraldo's desire to fill his squad with utilities was questioned by many experts and fans before the start of last year but there was a method to the madness.
Versatility is king in the new fast-paced world of rugby league, with HIAs and injuries forcing teams to adjust on the run.
It's why Toby Sexton's selection on the bench last week proved a masterstroke, while interchange forward Kurt Mann can fill multiple positions across the park. Even big men like Josh Curran and Sitili Tupouniua can play in the middle or on the edge.
Toby Sexton Try
Jacob Kiraz has spent much of the year on the wing, but can also line up at fullback or in the centres and said the team spends considerable amounts of time preparing for every scenario.
"Matt was Dally M Centre of the Year and he's played centre in a premiership-winning team," Kiraz said. "He's a damaging ball-runner, people forget that.
"He's one of those players that if you put him in the middle, he'll play in the middle. We've got lots of players who can play lots of positions, which is what Ciro wanted originally at the start of the year.
"He wanted lots of players who can play different positions because you never know what will happen. With our luck at the moment with the injuries it worked out good we can play different positions."
