NRL first for Dogs

Canterbury have reportedly excluded their players from playing in the final NSW City-Country Origin match. The Bulldogs have prioritised NRL fixtures because selected players would otherwise face the prospect of playing two games in four days, News Corp Australia reports. After this year’s edition of the historic representative match in Mudgee on May 7, the club will meet North Queensland on Thursday, May 11. Bulldogs chief executive Raelene Castle said the decision was made “to protect players’ welfare”.