Matt Burton, Viliame Kikau facing weeks on sideline after injuring knees in Bulldogs win

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Matt Burton and Viliame Kikau could be on the sideline for lengthy periods of time after the Bulldogs pair suffered serious knee injuries against the Titans on Sunday.

Burton was the first to exit for the Dogs, having been caught under an ugly tackle on Jojo Fifita in the 25th minute before staying down in visible pain.

The electric crowd in Belmore fell silent as Burton clutched at his left knee before he was assisted off the field.

It was later confirmed by the Bulldogs that Burton had suffered a medical collateral injury and would be sent for scans to determine the severity of the injury.

Matt Burton suffers an MCL injury. Fox League

The Bulldogs expect him to be out for at least a month.

A replay of the incident showed Fifita had gone over the top of Burton and applied significant pressure on the playmaker's knee.

In a promising sign for Canterbury fans, the 25-year-old was able to walk down the tunnel.

"It's disappointing news that it is an MCL injury but great news that it is not an ACL," former Bulldogs captain Michael Ennis said on Fox League.

Matt Burton, Viliame Kikau facing weeks on sideline after injuring knees in Bulldogs win

Matt Burton of the Bulldogs walks out after half-time. Getty

But the concern for coach Cameron Ciraldo did not end with his experienced five-eighth as Kikau was assisted off the field with a suspected MCL injury.

The 29-year-old was seen clutching at his right knee in the back of play after it appeared to get twisted underneath him in a tackle.

Matt Burton, Viliame Kikau facing weeks on sideline after injuring knees in Bulldogs win

Viliame Kikau of the Bulldogs walks off after sustaining an injury. Getty

Meanwhile, Canterbury winger Marcelo Montoya found himself in hot water when he laid a high shot on Keano Kini.

Montoya appeared to make no attempt at wrapping his arms around the young fullback as he charged in to make a tackle, with his shoulder making high contact with Kini.

The Gold Coast youngster was in visible discomfort as he returned to his feet to play the ball but no call was made to punish the Bulldogs centre until after he crossed for his side's first try.

"The first point of contact was the shoulder and there was no wrapping of the arms," Tigers legend Steve Roach said on Fox League.

"He will be in a bit of trouble there."

Matt Burton, Viliame Kikau facing weeks on sideline after injuring knees in Bulldogs win

Marcelo Montoya hits Titans star Keano Kini high. FOX Sports

The Titans were riddled by errors in the opening 20 minutes, paving the way for the Bulldogs to make 482 run metres compared to the visitors' 175.

A beautiful step by Jaeman Salmon opened the path for the lock to charge over the line before hooker Reed Mahoney crossed for his team's third try.

Josh Curran joined in on the fun with his teammates in the 19th minute, while Alofiana Khan-Pereira collected a first-half double.

The Bulldogs took a 22-12 lead into half-time.

Watch the 2025 NRL premiership live and free on Nine and 9Now.

With Burton out of the action, the Titans launched a spirited comeback through Tino Fa'asuamaleaui.

The Gold Coast skipper smashed through two defenders at high speed from close range to leave his rivals flattened as he collected four points for the Titans.

Fifita then scored about 10 minutes later as the Titans closed to 34-24.

But the Bulldogs halted the Titans' momentum before boosting their for-and-against when Conor Tracey hurtled away to score in the dying minutes.

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