As for the Wighton tackle, Preston said: “I won’t comment on it. I’m not too sure, I didn’t really see it [the replay]. It’s one of those things that happen in footy.”

Scans on Saturday morning confirmed the damage to Preston’s jaw. He is likely to be sidelined for at least three weeks.

It is a bitter blow for a club that will also be without Josh Addo-Carr for Friday night’s clash with the Roosters after a concussion suffered right on half-time prematurely ended his involvement.

The Bulldogs didn’t receive a penalty from the tackle that caused the damage, in which good friend Latrell Mitchell accidently collected “The Foxx” with his hip. However, the match review committee on Saturday charged Mitchell with dangerous contact.

The Souths fullback won’t miss any game time for the incident – the grade-one offence carries an $1800 fine with an early guilty plea, increasing to $2500 should he fight the charge and lose.

Ciraldo also faces the prospect of being without Kurtis Morrin, who is facing a two-game ban with an early guilty plea for a grade-two dangerous throw. Should Morrin unsuccessfully contest the charge for the 51st-minute tackle on Cameron Murray, he will be suspended for three games.

Bulldogs fullback Blake Taafe is facing a $1000 fine for a grade-one dangerous contact charge should he enter an early guilty plea.

Ciraldo has been looking to instil a tougher edge to his side in 2024 and Preston’s ability to play through the pain of a serious facial injury will not go unnoticed at Belmore.

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“Twelve months ago, if we had gone down 10-0 on a day like today, it probably would have kept going and got ugly,” Ciraldo said in his post-match press conference.

“We’re a team that’s got a lot of effort at the moment – but at some stage, we’re gonna need to execute better and that’s what we need to figure out pretty quickly.”

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