BULLDOGS DEFENSIVE WOES
After yet another heavy defeat at the hands of the Panthers, a damning Bulldogs trend has been exposed.
Rookie coach Cameron Ciraldo masterminded Penrith’s defence during their premiership-winning 2021 and 2022 campaigns.
But he hasn’t been able to replicate that success in Belmore, with the Bulldogs having conceded the most points of any team in 2023.
What’s worse is the next team has leaked a staggering 84 points less, with the Dragons having let in 509 points in their 18 appearances.
Canterbury-Bankstown’s points differential also sits at -262 with their nearest opponent being the 17th placed Tigers at -199.
Ivan Cleary’s side then ran riot in the first half at BlueBet Stadium on Sunday afternoon, adding to what was an already dire statistic.
In the last six games the Bulldogs have conceded 44.6 points per 80 minutes with a 66-0 flogging at the hands of the nights included in those scorelines.
Ciraldo, along with Bulldogs powerbrokers, have reportedly gone about fixing their squad with both Raymond Faitala-Mariner and Ryan Sutton informed they are free to negotiate with rivals.
But the Bulldogs desperately need to inject some desire and spark in their defence with “huge concerns” being raised.
“It is a huge concern for the club and the season they are having,” Braith Anasta said.
“Given the fact Cameron Ciraldo is a noted defensive coach, and we saw some improvement in that at the start of the season,” Ennis said.
But you can see there, over the last six games they are averaging 45 points per game, again today 44 points and really Penrith took the foot of the throttle.
“They came up with a few passes they don’t often throw.”
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