Canterbury are bracing for the prospect of facing Penrith without star centre Stephen Crichton, as the banged-up Bulldogs attempt to regroup for the do-or-die semi-final.
Crichton was booked for scans on his injured ankle on Saturday afternoon in Sydney, but even a best-case scenario would leave him unlikely to face Penrith next week.
The Bulldogs captain ended Friday night in a moon boot and using crutches, left to watch on as Canterbury's title hopes took a massive hit in the 26-18 qualifying-final loss to Melbourne.
Canterbury fear the NSW State of Origin star has injured his syndesmosis, in a blow that would likely rule him out of the rest of the finals.
Fellow centre Enari Tuala also arrived back in Sydney on crutches with a calf injury, while winger Jacob Kiraz regularly felt for his foot on return from a sprain.
And there are also concerns over powerful second-rower Viliame Kikau's right eye socket, after he copped a blow early in the match.
Kikau passed a HIA and returned to the field, but was left sporting heavy bruising and swelling.
And while Bronson Xerri can return from a concussion next week, Canterbury face questions in their halves after Toby Sexton impressed on Friday night.
In better news for the Bulldogs, Josh Curran avoided a ban on Saturday morning for a high tackle on Jack Howarth, while Jaeman Salmon was cleared of a hip-drop on Cameron Munster.
But still, the Bulldogs face an almighty task against four-time defending premiers Penrith next week in front of what could be a record finals crowd at Accor Stadium.
"We're going to need their energy to get behind these boys, and we're going to need a big crowd out there and plenty of home ground support," coach Cameron Ciraldo said.
"Hopefully those decisions we missed out on (against the Storm) can turn our way next week."
Ciraldo was left seething with the refereeing, attempting several times to "shut my mouth".
"We come down here three weeks ago, and you sort of know the rules of engagement after that," he said.
"We were the ones getting penalised for slow rucks, so I wasn't happy with that.
"The two-points high-tackle penalty in the first half, I was disappointed in that.
"Then when we gained some ascendancy there in the second half, and there was a crusher penalty coming off their own try line, I was even more unhappy with that.
"You need a bit of luck in these games, and we got zero tonight."
Injuries aside, the other issue for Ciraldo is the make-up of his halves as the Bulldogs hunt their first finals win in 10 years.
Canterbury's attack looked improved, with Sexton on the field, after Matt Burton was shifted to centre to deal with the injury crisis.
Sexton kicked out on the full at a crucial time late in the game, but otherwise scored a try and played with confidence in his first match since being dropped two months ago.
Ciraldo must decide whether to keep Sexton in the halves alongside Lachlan Galvin, or move Burton back to No.6 for the knockout match.
Canterbury may have lost Friday night's match, but the coach was impressed by his players' efforts.
"It's one of the bravest performances I've seen or been involved in," Ciraldo said.
"We've still got three wins to do what we want to do."
