djdeep4172
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There were two periods that made up the 2022 Canterbury Bulldogs. From Round 1 to Round 10, when Trent Barrett decided that he might not be the answer after all, they were the punching bag of the league.
They played deathly dull football, the tabloids filled with stories about who was actually running the show and, the biggest crime of all, they tried to make Josh Jackson into a ball-playing lock.
Then, under Mick Potter, they were a team reborn. They were the razzle dazzle merchants, freed from the shackles and told to just go express themselves.
Having not scored more than 16 points in any of their first ten games, they became the most fun team to watch in the competition. Granted, that was because just as many tries seemed to go in at the other end, but it was undeniably an improvement.
Potter insisted that he wanted to win football games, and doubtless he did, but the wider point beyond results that was the playing group seemed to be enjoying themselves, the fans did too and the atmosphere at Belmore was lifted immeasurably.
It is this environment that Cameron Ciraldo, the new man at the helm, walks in to. He’ll have Potter in the background and a coterie of new faces to come with him.
Viliame Kikau and Reed Mahoney are the headliners, but the likes of Ryan Sutton and Andrew Davey are the sort of set-and-forget first graders that can elevate this team beyond just the star attractions.
Things are looking up for the Doggies. It might not be this year, but nobody expects them to struggle as badly as they have in the last…well, long time.
Path to the trophy
Given that the Bulldogs haven’t played finals footy since 2016, that will do for now. Nobody is expecting miracles.
There are, however, plenty of expectations. They’ve solved a few of the glaring issues in the squad and the fanbase, always demanding, wants to see them at least challenge for finals. Making them in season one of the Ciraldo era would certainly be a success.
For that to happen, there’s a few things that will drastically need to change.
Kyle Flanagan has to have his best year in first grade: his performances were OK at best last year, caveated by how bad the rest of the side was at times and the inherent imbalance in the team away from his edge and towards the one containing Matt Burton and Josh Addo-Carr.
Nobody is asking him to morph into Andrew Johns, but taking on the line from time to time would be an improvement.
The pack was decent last year, probably their strongest single element, and was near-unmatched in its ability to generate second phase. That needs to continue. If they play a power game that delivers ball wide early, the Dogs can be both entertaining and effective.
Danger signs
New coach, same problems. Kyle Flanagan is one of the worst starting halfbacks in the league, at least on last year’s form, and teams with bad halfbacks tend not to go that well.
There’s always potential for implosion, and questions about whether Ciraldo or Gus Gould runs the joint. You worry what would happen if Matt Burton went down for any length of time. He’s really irreplaceable.
And, as with any big money signings from successful clubs, there’s the question of how much of the production of Kikau and Mahoney was enabled by playing a highly functional system. They have to bring their good club form to one that has, of late, been bad.
The draw
Ciraldo could have hoped for a better start. His first grade career kicks off with six of last year’s finals teams in the first ten rounds, plus Manly in Manly on the opening weekend.
There’s a casual Tigers at home in there, but it wouldn’t be overly surprising to see Canterbury go to Magic Round with a less than stellar record.
It does get easier, however: they’ll get the Titans, Warriors and Knights to visit interspersed with a few byes in the middle of the year, followed by a fairly soft landing to end 2023. It might all be over by then, but if they are in any way in the hunt for the Finals, they’ll have a chance.
The key three: Matt Burton, Reed Mahoney, Luke Thompson
It goes without saying that Burton is their most important player. He was their best in 2022 and now has better cattle around him to help out. His kicking, running and general influence on the side can’t be underestimated.
With him comes the next most important, Mahoney. He possesses the best long pass in the game from dummy half and, if the Dogs are going to get the best out of both Burton and Kikau, there’s a lot to be said for that one particular skill. Off the deck nice and early has to be the way to go.
Perhaps less heralded, but no less important, is English enforcer Thompson. His per-minute contributions were elite in 2022 and, with Josh Jackson now retired, all signals are that Thommo shifts to lock and takes his minutes.
At his best, Thompson can be a tackling and hit up machine, with plenty of hands, footwork and offloads to boot. At his worst, he’s sat on the sidelines for too long suspended. Ciraldo needs it to be the former and not the latter in 2023.
Player under pressure: Tevita Pangai jnr
It’s a make or break year for Tevita Pangai jnr. He’s got all the talent and very little application, but when he decides to concentrate on football and not on getting himself sent off, can be destructive.
Now moved permanently to the front row, it’s possible that a fit, focused and simplified role can help TPJ unleash as one of the most physical and skillful props around. Ciraldo will fancy himself as the man to get the best out of one of the most mercurial talents in the NRL.
Hidden gem: Paul Alamoti
It’s hard to call Paul Alamoti a hidden gem, because a lot of people know who he is before he’s even played a game in the NRL. But still, the young centre has it all: speed, offloads, tackle busts and plenty of attacking tricks.
It looks like he’ll start the season in the centres, with the new coach entrusting him to lock that position down for as long as he wants it. It’s a massive burden on a young player, but they wouldn’t give it to just anyone. If it comes off, we could be looking at a Rookie of the Year contender.
Coach’s safety rating
Fresh on the scene in a club that has stuck by coaches to their own detriment on multiple occasions in recent years. Safe as houses.
They’re $21 at PlayUp, level with Canberra and, surprisingly, above Manly.
Predicted finish
The bookies are spot on here: they’re in with a shout for the lower reaches of the finals, and that will definitely be seen as a success in 2023. I’m bullish on the Bulldogs, so let’s say they make it. Eighth.
Round 1 predicted team
1 Hayze Perham
2 Jacob Kiraz
3 Paul Alamoti
4 Jake Averillo
5 Josh Addo-Carr
6 Matt Burton
7 Kyle Flanagan
8 Luke Thompson
9 Reed Mahoney
10 Tevita Pangai jnr
11 Viliame Kikau
12 Raymond Faitala-Mariner
13 Ryan Sutton
Interchange
14 Fa’amanu Brown
15 Max King
16 Corey Waddell
17 Andrew Davey
Other squad members: Bailey Biondi-Odo (injured until mid-season), Franklin Pele, Jackson Topine, Jayden Okunbor, Brandon Clarke, Chris Patolo, Declan Casey, Jacob Preston, Jeral Skelton, Braidon Burns, Samuel Hughes.
They played deathly dull football, the tabloids filled with stories about who was actually running the show and, the biggest crime of all, they tried to make Josh Jackson into a ball-playing lock.
Then, under Mick Potter, they were a team reborn. They were the razzle dazzle merchants, freed from the shackles and told to just go express themselves.
Having not scored more than 16 points in any of their first ten games, they became the most fun team to watch in the competition. Granted, that was because just as many tries seemed to go in at the other end, but it was undeniably an improvement.
Potter insisted that he wanted to win football games, and doubtless he did, but the wider point beyond results that was the playing group seemed to be enjoying themselves, the fans did too and the atmosphere at Belmore was lifted immeasurably.
It is this environment that Cameron Ciraldo, the new man at the helm, walks in to. He’ll have Potter in the background and a coterie of new faces to come with him.
Viliame Kikau and Reed Mahoney are the headliners, but the likes of Ryan Sutton and Andrew Davey are the sort of set-and-forget first graders that can elevate this team beyond just the star attractions.
Things are looking up for the Doggies. It might not be this year, but nobody expects them to struggle as badly as they have in the last…well, long time.
Path to the trophy
Given that the Bulldogs haven’t played finals footy since 2016, that will do for now. Nobody is expecting miracles.
There are, however, plenty of expectations. They’ve solved a few of the glaring issues in the squad and the fanbase, always demanding, wants to see them at least challenge for finals. Making them in season one of the Ciraldo era would certainly be a success.
For that to happen, there’s a few things that will drastically need to change.
Kyle Flanagan has to have his best year in first grade: his performances were OK at best last year, caveated by how bad the rest of the side was at times and the inherent imbalance in the team away from his edge and towards the one containing Matt Burton and Josh Addo-Carr.
Nobody is asking him to morph into Andrew Johns, but taking on the line from time to time would be an improvement.
The pack was decent last year, probably their strongest single element, and was near-unmatched in its ability to generate second phase. That needs to continue. If they play a power game that delivers ball wide early, the Dogs can be both entertaining and effective.
Danger signs
New coach, same problems. Kyle Flanagan is one of the worst starting halfbacks in the league, at least on last year’s form, and teams with bad halfbacks tend not to go that well.
There’s always potential for implosion, and questions about whether Ciraldo or Gus Gould runs the joint. You worry what would happen if Matt Burton went down for any length of time. He’s really irreplaceable.
And, as with any big money signings from successful clubs, there’s the question of how much of the production of Kikau and Mahoney was enabled by playing a highly functional system. They have to bring their good club form to one that has, of late, been bad.
The draw
Ciraldo could have hoped for a better start. His first grade career kicks off with six of last year’s finals teams in the first ten rounds, plus Manly in Manly on the opening weekend.
There’s a casual Tigers at home in there, but it wouldn’t be overly surprising to see Canterbury go to Magic Round with a less than stellar record.
It does get easier, however: they’ll get the Titans, Warriors and Knights to visit interspersed with a few byes in the middle of the year, followed by a fairly soft landing to end 2023. It might all be over by then, but if they are in any way in the hunt for the Finals, they’ll have a chance.
The key three: Matt Burton, Reed Mahoney, Luke Thompson
It goes without saying that Burton is their most important player. He was their best in 2022 and now has better cattle around him to help out. His kicking, running and general influence on the side can’t be underestimated.
With him comes the next most important, Mahoney. He possesses the best long pass in the game from dummy half and, if the Dogs are going to get the best out of both Burton and Kikau, there’s a lot to be said for that one particular skill. Off the deck nice and early has to be the way to go.
Perhaps less heralded, but no less important, is English enforcer Thompson. His per-minute contributions were elite in 2022 and, with Josh Jackson now retired, all signals are that Thommo shifts to lock and takes his minutes.
At his best, Thompson can be a tackling and hit up machine, with plenty of hands, footwork and offloads to boot. At his worst, he’s sat on the sidelines for too long suspended. Ciraldo needs it to be the former and not the latter in 2023.
Player under pressure: Tevita Pangai jnr
It’s a make or break year for Tevita Pangai jnr. He’s got all the talent and very little application, but when he decides to concentrate on football and not on getting himself sent off, can be destructive.
Now moved permanently to the front row, it’s possible that a fit, focused and simplified role can help TPJ unleash as one of the most physical and skillful props around. Ciraldo will fancy himself as the man to get the best out of one of the most mercurial talents in the NRL.
Hidden gem: Paul Alamoti
It’s hard to call Paul Alamoti a hidden gem, because a lot of people know who he is before he’s even played a game in the NRL. But still, the young centre has it all: speed, offloads, tackle busts and plenty of attacking tricks.
It looks like he’ll start the season in the centres, with the new coach entrusting him to lock that position down for as long as he wants it. It’s a massive burden on a young player, but they wouldn’t give it to just anyone. If it comes off, we could be looking at a Rookie of the Year contender.
Coach’s safety rating
Fresh on the scene in a club that has stuck by coaches to their own detriment on multiple occasions in recent years. Safe as houses.
They’re $21 at PlayUp, level with Canberra and, surprisingly, above Manly.
Predicted finish
The bookies are spot on here: they’re in with a shout for the lower reaches of the finals, and that will definitely be seen as a success in 2023. I’m bullish on the Bulldogs, so let’s say they make it. Eighth.
Round 1 predicted team
1 Hayze Perham
2 Jacob Kiraz
3 Paul Alamoti
4 Jake Averillo
5 Josh Addo-Carr
6 Matt Burton
7 Kyle Flanagan
8 Luke Thompson
9 Reed Mahoney
10 Tevita Pangai jnr
11 Viliame Kikau
12 Raymond Faitala-Mariner
13 Ryan Sutton
Interchange
14 Fa’amanu Brown
15 Max King
16 Corey Waddell
17 Andrew Davey
Other squad members: Bailey Biondi-Odo (injured until mid-season), Franklin Pele, Jackson Topine, Jayden Okunbor, Brandon Clarke, Chris Patolo, Declan Casey, Jacob Preston, Jeral Skelton, Braidon Burns, Samuel Hughes.