News The Dogs have completed a drastic two-year rebuild. Here’s how they could look in 2022

djdeep4172

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Burton, Addo-Carr, Dufty… now the Dogs are closing in on moves for Pangai and Vaughan. They’ve undergone a spectacular transformation and one that should have them firing for finals.

When the Bulldogs line up for Round 1 2022, there will have been a quiet revamp of the roster in the space of two years.
It’s the kind of transformation that should have the club ready to climb up off the canvas and show the rest of the NRL they are a heavyweight force once again.


Of the 17 that started their Round 1 loss to Paramatta in 2020 only the likes of Josh Jackson, Raymond Faitala-Mariner and Jeremy Marshall-King would be expected to make the cut.

The Bulldogs’ overhaul has seen Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Aiden Tolman and Reimis Smith leave, while Nick Meaney, Lachlan Lewis, Will Hopoate and Dylan Napa are expected to follow them out the door.

In return, Trent Barrett has brought in the likes of Matt Dufty, Josh Addo-Carr, Matt Burton and Brent Naden for 2022, with Paul Vaughan and Tevita Pangai Jr, who looks set to join Penrith for the rest of this year on a short-term deal, expected to call Belmore home.

Predicted XIII for Round 1 2022: 1. Matt Dufty 2. Josh Addo-Carr 3. Brent Naden 4. Nick Cotric 5. Tui Katoa 6. Matt Burton 7. Jake Averillo 8. Luke Thompson 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Paul Vaughan* 11. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 12. Tevita Pangai Jr* 13. Josh Jackson

Phil Gould’s appointment as the general manager of football should help the Dogs in negotiations in attracting a player of higher caliber to end their finals drought.


At the very least, the acquisition of Gould will stop players finding out via a press release that they are no longer wanted, as happened to one player last season.

In the long term, Gould will be tasked with mirroring what he built at Penrith to give Barrett – and whoever follows him – a steady flow of juniors to supplement their recruitment.

Vaughan and Pangai have both earned international honours and with an impressive forward pack and a backline with immense talent, the pressure will be on for Canterbury to return to the finals.

Here foxsports.com.au takes a look at how the Bulldogs’ roster is shaping up for 2022 …


HALVES/HOOKERS

Incoming
: Matt Burton

On the books: Jake Averillo, Kyle Flanagan, Jeremy Marshall-King, Brandon Wakeham

Off contract: Brad Deitz, Lachlan Lewis, Sione Katoa

Analysis: The halves is the area of biggest concern for Trent Barrett.

While he has assembled a backline that has strike and a forward pack that has plenty of punch, the key playmaking roles leaving you with a bit to be desired.


Matt Burton has shown his brilliance at Penrith wherever he has been forced to fill in.

Brandon Wakeham has been left out of the club’s bubble due to his attendance at the Bondi pub while Kyle Flanagan seems to have fallen out of favour twice this year.

“I think he needs a bit of work and I wouldn’t give up on him,” Laurie Daley told the Big Sports Breakfast,

“But I think he’s got to get bigger because I think teams found him out defensively. He needs to work on his strength and work on taking the ball into the line.

“He needs to run the ball. I don’t think too many people will take him off the Bulldogs and if they do, they’ll want a large chunk of the salary paid up.


“Gus will give him confidence and belief and once he does that it’s up to the kid to go away and take everything on board.”

Jake Averillo has been an ever-present for the Dogs in the halves this year, but is he more of a centre than a halfback or five-eighth.

At hooker, Sione Katoa has been linked with a move to England, while Brad Deitz has yet to secure his future beyond this year.


Jeremy Marshall-King signed an extension a fortnight ago to keep him at the club until 2023.

“I hope they have enough money left to get a quality No. 9,” Daley added.

“That’s one area of the game that they need if they are going to climb up the ladder quickly. [Brandon] Smith is the obvious one.”


FORWARDS

Incoming
: Paul Vaughan, Tevita Pangai (both TBC)

On the books: Matt Doorey, Adam Elliott, Raymond Faitala-Mariner, Jack Hetherington, Josh Jackson, Ava Seumanufagai, Joe Stimson, Luke Thompson, Corey Waddell

Off contract: Renouf Atoni, Dean Britt, Dylan Napa, Ofahiki Ogden, James Rouamanos, Chris Smith

Analysis: The area Canterbury are arguably strongest is their pack. Paul Vaughan and Tevita Pangai would both add some quality to a pack that has been honest and hardworking, but battling nevertheless.

Pangai’s quality is plain to see but there are still concerns over his temperament especially when he’s being paid a reported $730,000 per year.

“He’s got all the ability in the world but he hasn’t delivered it on a consistent basis,” Daley said. “They’ve got a strong nucleus there with Josh Jackson, Luke Thompson and Jack Hetherington and a tough forward pack.
“With Pangai it’s never been about his ability, it’s about his effort on effort approach.


“But over the last few years he’s promised plenty, but not been consistent enough.

“If he can combine his potential and get his work ethic up he will be a good pick-up, but question marks remain.”


BACKS

Incoming
: Josh Addo-Carr, Matt Dufty, Brent Naden

On the books: Corey Allan, Nick Cotric, Tui Katoa

Off contract: Christian Crichton, Will Hopoate, Jayden Okunbor
Analysis: So much for Josh Addo-Carr’s promise of being given the chance to play fullback at the Bulldogs!

With Matt Dufty arriving at Belmore, Addo-Carr is likely to shift to the wing in a heavily-changed backline.

Nick Cotric has been sidelined for the back end of the season after a mixed start to life after the Raiders.


Expect him to partner Brent Naden who has impressed since returning to the Panthers’ starting XIII.

“With Burton, Addo-Carr, Dufty and Naden going there they’ve got some really good strike in that backline,” Daley said.

“That leaves Tui Katoa, who signed an extension on Monday, and Corey Allen to fight over the final spot on the wing.

Will Hopoate has been offered around in England, while Jayden Okunbor has been linked to the Cowboys but is unlikely to travel north for back-up money.

Christian Crichton has not been seen in first grade this year due to an ACL injury.
 

c-b-b

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We need to find a better 9 than what we have. Brandon Smith ain't coming. Hopefully Gould has spotted someone. We would be a very decent side but with JMK as the main 9 it's not good. I'd love to see BBO take the step up but it's massive pressure on a kid who has only played a few games.
 

boggie23

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This guy dropped the ball on Schoupp hard.
I stopped reading when Tui Katoa made the round 1 team :p

Handy back up. But if he is our starting winger next year then may god have mercy on our souls :p

After the last 5 years as bulldogs fans and 16 months as humans surely we start the season with someone better then Katoa at 5 :p
 

CMP

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This guy dropped the ball on Schoupp hard.
Schoupp has taken a while to find his feet. But in the last few weeks he has shown that he is making all the right steps to be locked in as one of the centres to start next year.

I think the only question with the backline next year is Naden / Cotric who plays centre & who plays wing.
 

CrittaMagic69

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Schoupp has taken a while to find his feet. But in the last few weeks he has shown that he is making all the right steps to be locked in as one of the centres to start next year.

I think the only question with the backline next year is Naden / Cotric who plays centre & who plays wing.
Naden is more of a centre than Cotric but really isn't more than a stop gap imo.
 

Moedogg

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That's just a good enough side. Maybe top 6 if we overachieve. We were in that position from 2013 to 2017 until we got fed up with boring Des ball.

We still need superstars to go the extra length. Buy a topline Hooker and halfback plus another prop.
 

Benno Bulldog

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Putting us under pump for finals while we marching to second year of cellar dwellers....
 

Freakzilla

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01. Matt Dufty
02. Nick Cotric
03. Brent Naden
04. Aaron Schoupp
05. Josh Addo-Carr
06. Jake Averillo
07. Matt Burton
08. Paul Vaughan
09. Bailey Biondi-Odo
10. Luke Thompson
11. Josh Jackson
12. Raymond Faitala-Mariner
13. Tevita Pangai-Junior

14. Jackson Topine
15. Adam Elliott
16. Ava Seumanufagai
17. Jack Hetherington

18. Jeremy Marshall-King/Corey Allan
 

a dogs life

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Schoupp has taken a while to find his feet. But in the last few weeks he has shown that he is making all the right steps to be locked in as one of the centres to start next year.

I think the only question with the backline next year is Naden / Cotric who plays centre & who plays wing.
Reckon Gould will be looking very closely at retaining Cotric given what he was signed for and what is coming through the playing ranks.
 

King Gus

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01. Matt Dufty
02. Nick Cotric
03. Brent Naden
04. Aaron Schoupp
05. Josh Addo-Carr
06. Jake Averillo
07. Matt Burton
08. Paul Vaughan
09. Bailey Biondi-Odo
10. Luke Thompson
11. Josh Jackson
12. Raymond Faitala-Mariner
13. Tevita Pangai-Junior


14. Jackson Topine
15. Adam Elliott
16. Ava Seumanufagai
17. Jack Hetherington

18. Jeremy Marshall-King/Corey Allan
That is a strong team, top 8 here we come.
 

ddt192

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At the very least, the acquisition of Gould will stop players finding out via a press release that they are no longer wanted, as happened to one player last season.

I never understood how clubs could do that to some players.
 
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