Where to for the Dogs now?

[JUNKYARD DOGS]

When we free up some cash I cannot see any other option than paying overs again to bring in some talent. SO when we get some money back in we will need to use it wisely otherwise we will be in the same damn hole we are in now.

Signing blokes like Reece Robson, Zac Lomax or Brandon Smith for example for next year wouldve been a great start on 2-3 year deals. But we cannot sign players on "Potential" we need proven young guys being held back in their current club. We have enough potential coming through our junior grades without looking elswhere.

Give the Wakehams, Katoa, Harpers and To'omaga's a go now, no use waiting for something to happen.

 

[GA45]

I don’t think people realise the damage Des and the previous board did by not looking after our junior development. We can all blame the current coach for no game plan but the talent he works with is poor but he’s proving he doesn’t belong at NRL level. The new board have started at the bottom and have focussed on our junior pathways and we won’t see the benefit of that for a few years but to me that’s a great move for the future. We should always have a few promising kids coming into FG every season which is needed in the salary cap era.
I’m not for or against the new board but at least they have shifted focus on our long term development and not the short sighted crap Dib and Raelene did which they promised us with two titles by now.

 

[Kelpie03]

Your whole post is based on assumptions you have somehow conjured up. You know zero about what's going on behind closed doors, just like everyone else who is bagging the board.
Seriously, what more could the board have done up until now?? They got rid of all the deadwood so as to give us some cap breathing space, signed a good'n in CHN, and in the process of restructuring our recruitment and retention committee.
Signing Pay for another year may not have been a great idea in hindsight, but the reason to do so was to give some clarity moving forward. No player will sign with a club if they dont know who is coach. And let's just imagine where we would be now if we still had mbye and woods on the books??
Yes we are in a shit place right now and we are all sick k of words used to describe this situation, like rebuild, but that's what it is, like it or not. This is a process and it wont happen overnight. We have no choice but to be patient.

Great post, your spot on with the need to be patient, simply because our club has many obsticals to navigate, including having to appease or more likely (lick the arse) of those in the NRL and media who despise us, and have done so since the SL war.
WE are up against it in many ways, it is no secret that currently the most successful are clubs which are privately owned, Storm and Broncos by News LTD, Souths by Crow and Packer, Rootters by Politis believe it or not, and a few others who have the backing of outside wealth.
As they say money talks and BS walks, a very wealthy supporter can do a lot of things without been seen to be directly involved with the club.

 

[GDR]

Nothing is going to change with our current CEO and coach.

Our club has always been a powerhouse, never in my life can I remember not at least being competitive of finals footy. And if we miss the finals it is rare abberation.

Now everyone seems to accept a broke ass Newcastle Nights 3-5 year rebuild. Get f£%cked, that is not the Bulldogs "DNA"!

Time for this board to show what connections they have, what kind of deals they can pull off and make some bold moves.

I personally don't have much hope in their capabilities.

once extensive damage is done, you cant just snap your fingers and expect things to be good again overnight .. sorry we are not in a story book ..

 

[Dogs Of War]

Honestly, I think some of you can't see the forest for the trees. I'm sure we have our eyes on plenty of emerging talent that we will attempt to sign up. There is really no hurry if the right players aren't there. The main thing is trying to get a specialist hooker which would really set this team on the right foot immediately. Continue to see what emerging backs that are stuck behind someone else who will take a little less money for the opportunity (like Meany). And hope like hell that some of these players really start to step up so true star players feel comfortable coming across hoping they will be the final piece in the puzzle.

Don't get me wrong. I don't think Pay is the right coach to get us to the next level. But who do you roll the dice on that's out there?

 

[Papa Emeritus]

I tipped us for the spoon this year. I think we are a chance for it next year as well. Some of these guys in our team must be on huge back ended money next year, it is really sad.

The rebuild STARTS in 2021 imo. So I think it will be years after that before we are competitive. Look how long it took the Knights.

We should let everyone go who is off contract at the end of next year (all of the big money players anyway). Put big money into recruiting a fullback, hooker and a half (maybe Cogger as the other half) and build a team around that.

Get a coach that players would be willing to change teams to play under.

 

[dogwhisperer]

Where to for the dogs now?

They should just pack up and shut shop and let us move on with our lives. I'm over this club

 

[GrogDog]

We need to have 2 very decent signings (400k type signings) by the end of this year for the 2020 season otherwise I really can't see anyone at the club lasting the end of 2020.

Everyone needs to see some moving forward very very soon, including me!

I get the rebuild crap obviously BUT if there is that reported 800k-ish floating around then it must be used. What I do fear though is that everyone is saying no and no-one wants to come to us, if that is the case then we are in big big trouble.

I read last night that Lattrell Mitchell is saying he doesn't want to go to Souths and live in GI's shadow, if that's the case maybe throw whatever to get him. That will make others follow. This rebuild needs a kick charge to bring some hope.

 

[JackDog]

We need to have 2 very decent signings (400k type signings) by the end of this year for the 2020 season otherwise I really can't see anyone at the club lasting the end of 2020.

Everyone needs to see some moving forward very very soon, including me!

I get the rebuild crap obviously BUT if there is that reported 800k-ish floating around then it must be used. What I do fear though is that everyone is saying no and no-one wants to come to us, if that is the case then we are in big big trouble.

I read last night that Lattrell Mitchell is saying he doesn't want to go to Souths and live in GI's shadow, if that's the case maybe throw whatever to get him. That will make others follow. This rebuild needs a kick charge to bring some hope.

Latrell has previously said he has a grudge against us cos the pie-man couldn't be bothered returning his call years ago. Of course money talks, but I'd be amazed if the Rorters let him go.

And of course, the choice of playing for the Premiers being coached by Robbo or playing for the spooners being coached by Pay isn't really a choice at all.

I'd love it if we got him, I just don't see it happening.

 

[TwinTurbo]

Our season was over before it started!
For the fans with the Blue n White goggles on, if you think it aint over now, undress yourselves and go stand in the shower under the cold tap for a couple of hours.
We keep hearing the word "re-build"? They say we have started, but have we?
What lies ahead for 2020 and beyond?
Meaney, Napa, CHN, Ogden, Crichton, Whoopi are safe for the next few years!
What is happening next year? Jackson, Tolman, Foran, Cogger, Lewis, Hoppa, Holland, JMK, Elliott and the remainder are off contract!
Pay and the board are off contract.
6, 7 & 9 is off contract. Foran should not be re-signed while Cogger & Lewis do not look like long-term options
Who will they re-sign? Which new players will come in?
So take your blue n white goggles off and enlighten me;
- When does the re-build really begin?
- When are we going to have a settled spine and coach?
- Who are our outside backs and forwards?
- WHEN DOES THIS RE-BUILD BEGIN AND WITH WHO?

There are so many factual errors in the above I don't know where to start, let's try this;

These are the players that are off contract at the end of this season, Brown, Fualalo, Harper, Katoa, Lichaa, Martin, Olive and Tualau. Best guess that frees up around $2m of cap space, which is 4 times the cap space that we had free this year (before Klemmer deserted). Plus there are 2 Development players off contract being Harper and Katoa.

The following players are off contract at the end of next season, Elliot, RFM, Foran, Holland, Hopoate, Jackson, Lewis, JMK, Montoya, CSmith, RSmith, To'omaga, Wakeham. That frees up around $4m of cap space, although I suspect some will be signed up before their contract expires. Plus there is 1 Development player off contract being Anderson.

The above means that there are only 5 players still on contract at the end of next season, CHN, Meaney, Ogden, Okunbor and Napa. Plus there is 1 Development player still on contract being Roumanos. That plus the above leaves around $8m of cap space free at the end of next season, depending on who is resigned and/or signed in the interim.

That's a factual assessment of the situation, as a result the rebuild won't be "completed" until the players for the 2021 season are signed up. Obviously some can be signed this year and next year, plus contracts can be renegotiated and/or extended. So anyone thinking the rebuild should already be finished is on another planet dreaming.

The salary cap means that it is not at all like building an "extension" onto the existing "house". To "rebuild" under the cap means that there has to be a "demolition" stage, where the parts of the existing "house" that you don't need going forward are removed. Then new, better, improved "things" can be purchased/built but they have to be incorporated into the existing "house". Which with inanimate objects takes time, but even longer when humans are involved. Especially when there is the potential for only 5 out of the current 30 players to be still with us in 18 months time. That's a farkin' big knock down and rebuild that doesn't happen overnight, as much as we all wish it could.

Go Dogs

 

[Dogs Of War]

We need to have 2 very decent signings (400k type signings) by the end of this year for the 2020 season otherwise I really can't see anyone at the club lasting the end of 2020.

Everyone needs to see some moving forward very very soon, including me!

I get the rebuild crap obviously BUT if there is that reported 800k-ish floating around then it must be used. What I do fear though is that everyone is saying no and no-one wants to come to us, if that is the case then we are in big big trouble.

I read last night that Lattrell Mitchell is saying he doesn't want to go to Souths and live in GI's shadow, if that's the case maybe throw whatever to get him. That will make others follow. This rebuild needs a kick charge to bring some hope.

As much as Lattrell looks like the answer. He isn't. Especially not for the money we would need to spend to get him and that he would for that money, need to play fullback or 5/8th where he is unproven. Is that a good risk to take?

Haven't been following the lower grades as much since moving to QLD. But I'm sure the Dogs have a list of hookers going around and really is we throw a little extra to get one of the up and coming hookers, and get him over here ASAP. That would make the biggest difference to this team. Our current hookers just don't cut the mustard. Just need to look at last weeks game to realise that the ball should have been going the other way at times. But JMK just kept going right. I suspect he can only pass that way.

 

[GrogDog]

Latrell has previously said he has a grudge against us cos the pie-man couldn't be bothered returning his call years ago. Of course money talks, but I'd be amazed if the Rorters let him go.

And of course, the choice of playing for the Premiers being coached by Robbo or playing for the spooners being coached by Pay isn't really a choice at all.

I'd love it if we got him, I just don't see it happening.

Me neither but any good operator can find positives and use that with cash to make a good case. For starters the people who told him no are no longer around so that must help. Plus if the fella is looking at making his own mark what better way then to be an integral part of rebuilding a proud club with a huge history to it's rightful glory? Throw him the Captaincy if it helps...…….

 

[GrogDog]

As much as Lattrell looks like the answer. He isn't. Especially not for the money we would need to spend to get him and that he would for that money, need to play fullback or 5/8th where he is unproven. Is that a good risk to take?

Haven't been following the lower grades as much since moving to QLD. But I'm sure the Dogs have a list of hookers going around and really is we throw a little extra to get one of the up and coming hookers, and get him over here ASAP. That would make the biggest difference to this team. Our current hookers just don't cut the mustard.

It looks like we will need to pay atleast the first person over's to come on board. If that attracts more then maybe we have no choice. As for risk, is there any risk when your dead last and don't look like getting any better? We need to kick start our return and if paying a little more to actually sign a marquee player not over the hill then we have to do what we have to do! I don't really like the fella but the boy can play and we need something very soon or there will be no fans!

 

[GDR]

There are so many factual errors in the above I don't know where to start, let's try this;

These are the players that are off contract at the end of this season, Brown, Fualalo, Harper, Katoa, Lichaa, Martin, Olive and Tualau. Best guess that frees up around $2m of cap space, which is 4 times the cap space that we had free this year (before Klemmer deserted). Plus there are 2 Development players off contract being Harper and Katoa.

The following players are off contract at the end of next season, Elliot, RFM, Foran, Holland, Hopoate, Jackson, Lewis, JMK, Montoya, CSmith, RSmith, To'omaga, Wakeham. That frees up around $4m of cap space, although I suspect some will be signed up before their contract expires. Plus there is 1 Development player off contract being Anderson.

The above means that there are only 5 players still on contract at the end of next season, CHN, Meaney, Ogden, Okunbor and Napa. Plus there is 1 Development player still on contract being Roumanos. That plus the above leaves around $8m of cap space free at the end of next season, depending on who is resigned and/or signed in the interim.

That's a factual assessment of the situation, as a result the rebuild won't be "completed" until the players for the 2021 season are signed up. Obviously some can be signed this year and next year, plus contracts can be renegotiated and/or extended. So anyone thinking the rebuild should already be finished is on another planet dreaming.

The salary cap means that it is not at all like building an "extension" onto the existing "house". To "rebuild" under the cap means that there has to be a "demolition" stage, where the parts of the existing "house" that you don't need going forward are removed. Then new, better, improved "things" can be purchased/built but they have to be incorporated into the existing "house". Which with inanimate objects takes time, but even longer when humans are involved. Especially when there is the potential for only 5 out of the current 30 players to be still with us in 18 months time. That's a farkin' big knock down and rebuild that doesn't happen overnight, as much as we all wish it could.

Go Dogs

you missed Zac Saddler also off contract this year..

 

[GrogDog]

There are so many factual errors in the above I don't know where to start, let's try this;

These are the players that are off contract at the end of this season, Brown, Fualalo, Harper, Katoa, Lichaa, Martin, Olive and Tualau. Best guess that frees up around $2m of cap space, which is 4 times the cap space that we had free this year (before Klemmer deserted). Plus there are 2 Development players off contract being Harper and Katoa.

The following players are off contract at the end of next season, Elliot, RFM, Foran, Holland, Hopoate, Jackson, Lewis, JMK, Montoya, CSmith, RSmith, To'omaga, Wakeham. That frees up around $4m of cap space, although I suspect some will be signed up before their contract expires. Plus there is 1 Development player off contract being Anderson.

The above means that there are only 5 players still on contract at the end of next season, CHN, Meaney, Ogden, Okunbor and Napa. Plus there is 1 Development player still on contract being Roumanos. That plus the above leaves around $8m of cap space free at the end of next season, depending on who is resigned and/or signed in the interim.

That's a factual assessment of the situation, as a result the rebuild won't be "completed" until the players for the 2021 season are signed up. Obviously some can be signed this year and next year, plus contracts can be renegotiated and/or extended. So anyone thinking the rebuild should already be finished is on another planet dreaming.

The salary cap means that it is not at all like building an "extension" onto the existing "house". To "rebuild" under the cap means that there has to be a "demolition" stage, where the parts of the existing "house" that you don't need going forward are removed. Then new, better, improved "things" can be purchased/built but they have to be incorporated into the existing "house". Which with inanimate objects takes time, but even longer when humans are involved. Especially when there is the potential for only 5 out of the current 30 players to be still with us in 18 months time. That's a farkin' big knock down and rebuild that doesn't happen overnight, as much as we all wish it could.

Go Dogs

You just have to hope you don't hire a shonky building though, but good assessment. I think it's a must to make atleast 2 x 400k signings or 1 x 800k for next season otherwise there will be no fans left to watch the completed building.

 

[Spoonman84]

Best guess that frees up around $2m of cap space

$2 million worth of contracts ending doesn't automatically equal $2 million in cap space....

 

[Bob dog]

The current squad IS the rebuild but Pay is not getting the best out of them, there has been plenty of times this year that they have tackled like a top four squad then they flop the next week.
They have it but consistency evades us.

 

[TwinTurbo]

$2 million worth of contracts ending doesn't automatically equal $2 million in cap space....

It most certainly does, if no contracts are extended or renewed or new contracts signed. Which I would consider as using the freed up space anyway.

There is of course one pitfall, back ended contracts that ratchet in 2020, but we appear to have cleared those out last year. From memory Jackson's contract was renegotiated when he assumed the captaincy.

Go Dogs

 

[Noeasyday]

Perth until we have a competitive squad.

 

[Dogs Of War]

Perth until we have a competitive squad.

Brisbane. But forever. Brisbane Bulldogs 2021!! Bring it on..