I am a writer on The Roar and be doing a series in where I will be doing a season preview of each team, I thought no better way to get a preview then the die hard fans . I will ask some questions and be greatly appreciated if u guys can answer them.
1. What are the biggest changes that need to be made from last year?
2. Bulldogs were the worst attacking team last year, scored least points and try's is that down to lack of talent in the especially outside backs or coaching? And what changes are in place to rectify this?
3. It known your cap situation has really hindered your ability to make a dent in the player market, however you did sign Joe Stimson and Sione Katoa do you expect them to have any great impact this year?
4. With the injury to Kieran Foran it appears yours halves going forward will be Brandon Wakeham and Lachlan Lewis they seem like the most inexperienced halves pairing do you believe they can the team around this year?
5. Is Dean Pay’s job as coach on the line this year , does he have the backing of the fan base?
6. After a disappointing start to the season you guys managed to win five from your last six games, had many fans thinking were was this all year . How much can you Fans take from that great finish and do you think you guys can bring that form next year ?
7.What’s your teams biggest strength and biggest weakness ?
8. The player with the most pressure on them is?
9. What rookie or relatively unknown player to look out for ?
10.What will constitute a successful season? what will constitute a failure this year?
11Who is going to be the best back and forward this year?
12.In your honest opinion where will they finish this year? Best case scenario can you see Them winning the Premiership, if so how?
1. The start of the season. The previous two seasons we've really put ourselves in a massive hole. It looks like the team struggles when we're playing games that actually mean something regarding the ladder and finals places. I'd say personnel due to lack of talent but our hands are tied regarding that.
2. Inconsistent spine. I think we're lacking talent in the backs and halves (mainly halves when Foran is out of the side). I've never had a problem with the coaching and actually think Pay has done a terrific job but he's always going to be blamed for the problems as a head coach. You can only do so much with the squad and talent we have. The only thing that really changes is players have got another year of experience and we will not have to worry about Foran being in and out (at least until he's back). Hopefully we can get a break out seasons or two from some of our younger guys either already in the NRL team (e.g. Meaney) or coming through reserve grade (e.g. Wakeham).
3. I think Stimson will be a really good player for us. I don't think he'll get a start but I wouldn't be surprised if he does or later on forces his way into the back row pushing Jackson to lock. For now tho I want Jackson playing 80 minutes and I actually don't mind Elliott as much as others. I can see the value he brings just being in the side. Katoa at best is going to be a benchie but I wouldn't be surprised if he's just our reserve grade hooker allowing us to carry Stimson and Smith on the bench (who recently just signed a contract extension - again another player I don't mind). Panthers were having hooker problems just like us (and actually signed our target Koroisau) and Katoa was their third string hooker so I don't have that much confidence regarding him but it's a fresh start for him.
4. At this stage it's most likely our half pairing will be Lewis and Cogger. There is an outside chance Wakeham will start tho. I think Wakeham will get a chance during the season regardless either due to form or injury of Lewis and Cogger. I also don't think he'll sign a new deal unless we give him an opportunity so that's something to think about. We can't beat around the bush they're one of the worst halves pairings in the NRL (our backs are down there too). Saying that I really like Lewis and hope he can make it. Some values of his that I like is that he's unorthodox, an effort player and is one of the best defensive halves in the NRL (probably the main reason he's first picked - not including Foran).
5. I don't think Pay's job is on the line. We'd have to get the Wooden Spoon for me and even then who is there to get? I think we should be ruthless regardless if a top coach was available (e.g. Flanagan). The fans are split on Pay. The way I see it he's come in to coach an inferior side on paper (imo overachieved last year) which is expected to come second last this year according to the bookies. My expectations are that we finish outside the bottom four, so at worst 12th. I'll be happy with that given the circumstances we're in.
6. I don't think we can look too much into it. Same as the season before we performed better when we weren't in contention for finals. Technically we were if we won every game and results went our way but as soon as we were favourites, against the Cowboys, we disappointing lost that game. The mentality we had during that run we need to translate that to the start of the season and games where there is something on the line (ladder pressure, finals positions). Last season (from the start of the season, not just during our run) I couldn't question the effort the boys showed so if that's there again this year anything is possible. I think that'll be really hard as they've set such a high bar.
7. Our strength is the effort the boys put in and they really play for the player beside them as well as their coach and fans. I saw a lot of teams give up on their seasons (e.g. Knights and Cowboys) when things weren't going their way. I think this is the biggest reason we'll not get the Wooden Spoon. Due to our effort our defence was a brick wall at times. I think we have a good base and leadership group to work with moving forward. Our glaring weakness is lack of talent on paper when comparing us to any squad. Even being a Bulldogs fan if I was to do a combined 13 between us and every team I don't think we'd have the majority of the players maybe bar Titans (maybe another one to two teams but it really isn't significant).
8. A few players still aren't contracted for 2021. I'd say players like Meaney, all of our halves (even Lewis even tho he is contracted), Tolman (who I know will deal with it) and Elliott are the big ones. We also need to see an improvement in Napa as he's on a big contract.
9. I'd have to say Wakeham. Another name doesn't really come to me. He impressed for Fiji but hasn't really had a chance at the Doggies yet.
10. We're expected to finish second last according the the bookies. So technically for me if we finish second last we did as expected (before a ball was kicked). A successful season for me is finishing outside the bottom four, so at worst 12th. Anything better is a bonus and will help us a lot moving forward. If we were to get the Wooden Spoon that'd be a failure for me.
11. I think the best back (assuming we mean 1-7) is going to be DWZ. When Foran comes back if (...) he remains fit I'd say him. I'm pretty sure he got player of the year on TheKennel last year and he missed around 1/3 of our games. DWZ also came in mid season and had a massive impact like we all know. For the forwards I think Jackson. He's just so consistent and I think he's really relishing in the Captain role (Bulldogs vs Eels at BankWest last year, oh my
). CHN was in and out of the squad last year so hopefully he can have a big year. I love when he's playing less structured (adlib?).
12. I see us finishing 12th. Just outside the bottom four. I still think we're a few players short until we're a finals team. If we were to win the premiership I think it'd be up their with Leicester City winning the EPL.
I had to rush this a bit because I have to jet. Hopefully it's a good read for you.