News One big missing piece of the puzzle for Canterbury Bulldogs, Andrew Johns says

[djdeep4172]

Rugby league Immortal Andrew Johns says that despite only winning three games this year, the Canterbury Bulldogs were only one change from making the top eight.

The Bulldogs collected their first wooden spoon since 2008, ending what is now their fifth season in a row without finals football.
"If you parachute Nathan Cleary into that team this year, they make the eight," Johns told Wide World of Sports.

"Their attack was terrible, their defence, on occasions, was awful - but moving forward, I think they've bought some really class players.

"They just need to work out who's their No.7. You can have the biggest and best boat in the world but (if) you haven't got a captain steering the ship, it's not a good boat.

Johns said Jake Averillo was better suited to a role further out in the backline, and he raised doubt over Kyle Flanagan.

Averillo will likely start the 2022 season in the No.7 jersey, with new recruit Matt Burton at five-eighth.

But the Newcastle legend is concerned the pair may be too similar.

"Centres or five-eighth is his spot," Johns said of Averillo.

"I don't think Burton is the halfback. Such a specialised position."


The Bulldogs will welcome in an avalanche of talent over this off-season, with Burton being joined by Josh Addo-Carr, Matt Dufty, Paul Vaughan, Brent Naden and Tevita Pangai junior.

"They've got the talent there, they've got a hard-working forward pack and get some real strike out wide next year," Johns said.

"They've just got to find that halfback."

 

[Jarrad El Hickey]

Yeah cheers for the scoop Joey

 

[D- voice]

Rugby league Immortal Andrew Johns says that despite only winning three games this year, the Canterbury Bulldogs were only one change from making the top eight.

The Bulldogs collected their first wooden spoon since 2008, ending what is now their fifth season in a row without finals football.
"If you parachute Nathan Cleary into that team this year, they make the eight," Johns told Wide World of Sports.

"Their attack was terrible, their defence, on occasions, was awful - but moving forward, I think they've bought some really class players.

"They just need to work out who's their No.7. You can have the biggest and best boat in the world but (if) you haven't got a captain steering the ship, it's not a good boat.

Johns said Jake Averillo was better suited to a role further out in the backline, and he raised doubt over Kyle Flanagan.

Averillo will likely start the 2022 season in the No.7 jersey, with new recruit Matt Burton at five-eighth.

But the Newcastle legend is concerned the pair may be too similar.

"Centres or five-eighth is his spot," Johns said of Averillo.

"I don't think Burton is the halfback. Such a specialised position."


The Bulldogs will welcome in an avalanche of talent over this off-season, with Burton being joined by Josh Addo-Carr, Matt Dufty, Paul Vaughan, Brent Naden and Tevita Pangai junior.

"They've got the talent there, they've got a hard-working forward pack and get some real strike out wide next year," Johns said.

"They've just got to find that halfback."

How about a comeback Joey

 

[alchemist]

A. Johns was a great player, one of the best I have ever watched... but he is a terrible analyst

Jesus Christ could have been our halfback this year and we would not have made the finals

our go forward was terrible with the likes of Thompson and Hetherington often suspended, Napa, Ogden and Atoni passengers, Seumanufagai a depth player only, the likes of Britt and Waddell not FG standard, Patolo a debutant etc.

our dummy half play was terrible --> JMK is a utility and injured, Katoa was not only not FG standard but he is not a hooker, Deitz a hail Mary we have released, BBO a young inexperienced half brought in, Topine a young converted back rowers etc.

even if Christ was running around in our already hallowed no. 7 jersey, we would not have had a FG standard halves partner for him (Flanagan is not of FG standard, Averillo is an outside back, the klepto prince and Wakeham not of FG standard and Lewis has been released, BBO and Rajab too young etc.

RFM injured, Jackson past it, Elliot an idiot, our outside backs ineffectual, our conditioning was terrible, our discipline worse, our defence was disjointed and often uninterested, DWZ released, Barrett poor in his mentorship etc.

we were never making the finals this year

 

[Alan79]

I'm always hopeful that Andrew Johns will write an article about something that he specialized in. We need an article about how to be a highly visible public figure in an industry where regular drug tests are conducted and how to get away withbreaking those rules. Write that up Joey, could earn you your pulitzer prize.

 

[bradyk]

There's no one available at halfback worth buying anyways (I'd still persist with Averillo over Pearce too). I still think hooker is our biggest issue. I still have Averillo in the potential bracket but he isn't a genuine halfback and we should change our game plan to suit 2 five-eighths (e.g. Storm). JMK's definitely not in the potential bracket and is a not that great hooker who's one of the worst in the NRL.

 

[jof]

I think Joey was talking about next season regarding what he said about Cleary and making the 8. That's the impression I got when I watched the video this was taken from a few days ago.

 

[alchemist]

I think Joey was talking about next season regarding what he said about Cleary and making the 8. That's the impression I got when I watched the video this was taken from a few days ago.

Johns was quoted as saying "this year"

 

[ddt192]

 

[sideswip]

no wonder he is an immortal !

 

[jof]

Johns was quoted as saying "this year"

I really think he meant 'this year' as in this coming season, because he said that right in the middle of talking about our team for next season.

 

[chisdog]

That Johns guy is a genius! Now why didn't every single member on the Kennel think of that? Oh wait a minute; everybody did!

 

[jof]

That Johns guy is a genius! Now why didn't every single member on the Kennel think of that? Oh wait a minute; everybody did!

As obvious as it is, Barrett and the club didn't. Spent all the cap on pricey forwards and wingers. TPJ especially. While a great player, he's a luxury we couldn't afford while not having a recognized 7, 9 and FB on a one year contract.

 

[bullanth]

Averilo will be a very good player,but at this stage he’s not the type to lead us around the park,I would have him on the bench,and play dufty at half,he played a lot of his junior football there,and would give us some great attacking options.

 

[B-Train]

Next minute Freddy will come out and suggest that we sign Josh Reynolds again. Then we'll get Laurie Daley's input for the trifecta of jibberers.

 

[Isaac]

Lol i love andrew johns, the only thing missing from his career was the cocaine he was on. His the last person that should have a say.

 

[Howie B]

Calm down everyone. This is just a rehash of a video he did a few weeks back. They have quoted straight from that video.

Also he is right . A lot can happen between now and Round 1 next year though

 

[dogzofwar]

Thankyou mr obvious

 

[Disposable Hero]

I'm always hopeful that Andrew Johns will write an article about something that he specialized in. We need an article about how to be a highly visible public figure in an industry where regular drug tests are conducted and how to get away withbreaking those rules. Write that up Joey, could earn you your pulitzer prize.

To be fair. Most of joeys days of playing high as a kite were before they brought in the stringent drug testing regimes they have now.
Not to mention, ***** were staunch back then.
These days they are all snitchy bitches looking for attention.

 

[Shanked]

someone literary got paid to write an article just quoting what he said in a video last week