A potentially serious elbow injury to boom centre Jamal Idris has taken whatever gloss the Bulldogs gleaned from Friday night's 19-12 win over Penrith at ANZ Stadium on Friday night.
Idris was taken from the field with 13 minutes remaining with his left arm in a sling made from his jumper after dislocating his elbow as he fended away Panthers opposite Maurice Blair.
The 18-year-old - who only re-signed with the club on Thursday - writhed away on the ground as he awaited attention, the elbow reportedly popping straight back in before he made his way up the tunnel.
The Bulldogs led 14-6 when Idris left the field, but barnstorming Panthers backrower Frank Pritchard ensured a tight finish when he brushed through some flimsy defence and a hopelessly outsized Luke Patten to close the gap to just two points with eight minutes remaining.
But the Bulldogs pulled away again when Hazem El Masri scored his second of the night to finish with a personal haul of 14 points, Brett Kimmorley typifying his steady hand with a last minute filed goal to cap the win.
Given NSW recalled 31-year-old Trent Barrett to be their Origin saviour, it's strange to think that 32-year-old Kimmorley wasn't afforded the same treatment given he is in career best form.
Minus Origin-bound skipper Petero Civoniceva and injured duo Luke Lewis and Michael Jennings, the Panthers decided attack was their best hope and it paid handsome dividends with Gavin Cooper slamming the ball down for a 6-0 lead after as many minutes.
The visitors continued to enjoy the run of play but failed to put points on the board, Kimmorley making them pay when he executed a show and go Test No.7 Johnathan Thurston would be proud of before sending Bryson Goodwin away for a 6-all scoreline.
Kimmorley's halves partner Ben Roberts gave the Bulldogs the impetus after the break as he kicked for El Masri to acrobatically score his first of the night.
