The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs may be handed a rare form of relief in what has been a turbulent 2025 campaign, after young forward Jethro Rinakama suffered a serious season-ending injury that could trigger salary cap compensation from the NRL.
The 21-year-old back-rower, regarded as one of the most promising prospects in the club’s development system, went down awkwardly during a training session earlier this week. Early reports suggest Rinakama sustained a significant knee injury, with scans confirming damage that could sideline him for up to 12 months.
For the Bulldogs, who have been wrestling with a tight salary cap and an evolving roster under coach Cameron Ciraldo, the news is devastating on a personal level — but may open a small administrative window. Under NRL rules, clubs can apply for salary cap relief in cases where a player suffers a long-term or season-ending injury, particularly if that player’s absence leaves a notable gap in the squad.
A Tough Blow for a Rising Talent
Rinakama, who joined the Bulldogs system from the club’s Harold Matthews and Jersey Flegg ranks, had impressed many during the pre-season with his work ethic and physicality. Having made his NRL debut earlier this year, the young forward had begun to establish himself as part of Canterbury’s future pack rotation.
“This is a cruel blow for Jethro,” a club spokesperson said. “He’s worked incredibly hard over the past two seasons to earn his spot in first grade, and he was really coming into his own. Our medical and high-performance staff will ensure he gets the best care and support throughout his recovery.”
Salary Cap Implications
The Bulldogs’ salary cap situation has been a major talking point this year, with several big-name signings — including Stephen Crichton, Josh Curran, and Jaeman Salmon — placing significant strain on the club’s balance sheet.
If the NRL grants the Bulldogs cap relief for Rinakama’s injury, it could give the club a modest financial buffer to bring in a replacement player on a short-term or mid-season deal. Typically, such relief allows clubs to use a portion of the injured player’s salary — up to a specified cap percentage — to cover a replacement within the same positional bracket.
NRL salary cap experts suggest Canterbury could access $100,000–$150,000 in temporary relief, depending on Rinakama’s contract value and the league’s assessment. While that amount won’t transform the roster, it could be enough to sign a depth forward or promote a development player into the top 30 squad.
Ciraldo’s Balancing Act
For Ciraldo, managing the fallout from Rinakama’s absence will be another challenge in a season full of them. The Bulldogs have shown flashes of progress under his leadership, but inconsistency and injuries have derailed their push for finals contention.
Losing a young player who embodied the club’s rebuild ethos — tough, humble, and hard-working — is a bitter pill. Yet, the potential salary cap reprieve could help Ciraldo maintain competitiveness heading into the back end of the year.
“We’ll rally around Jethro,” Ciraldo said after training. “He’s got a strong mindset and great teammates who’ll help him through this. From a squad perspective, we’ll look at our options and make sure we stay strong in that position.”
The Road Ahead
While Rinakama faces a long road to recovery, the Bulldogs’ medical team remains optimistic about his long-term future. For Canterbury, the focus now shifts to maximizing any salary cap opportunities that emerge — a small silver lining amid another testing chapter in their rebuild story.
If the NRL grants approval, the Bulldogs could look to the NSW Cup ranks or even mid-season free agents to bolster their pack. For now, the blue-and-white faithful will be hoping Rinakama returns stronger — and that the club finds some much-needed stability on and off the field.
