The one and only Augustus Phil Gould is already making his presence felt at Canterbury-Bankstown - the club he won a premiership with in his first season as a first grade coach all the way back in 1988.
There’s been plenty said and written about Bulldogs coach Trent Barrett’s treatment of halfback Kyle Flanagan this year but the truth is Gus was the one behind his latest NRL selection in Round 20.
Having started his new role as Canterbury-Bankstown general manager Gould suggested Barrett pick Flanagan at halfback and Corey Allan as fullback so the new Bulldogs boss could see what they might be able to bring to the club rolling forward.
It’s a smart play given the Bulldogs have got nothing doing aside from trying to avoid the wooden spoon for the remainder of the year.
Unfortunately the Dogs were carved up 34-6 by Gold Coast and Flanagan was subsequently axed for the third time this season - this time in favour of Jake Averillo and Bailey Biondi-Odo for Canterbury’s round 21 loss to Wests Tigers.
Allen was selected on the wing with the Melbourne-bound Nick Meaney returning to the fullback role.
It’s too harsh people lining up to kick Barrett when you look at the quality of the roster he’s had to work with. Judge the champion ex-playmaker when he gets a fair dinkum roster next year.
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