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Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo has found himself in a peculiar position — and is facing some big selection calls — after his side delivered arguably their best performance of the season.
Sure, the Dogs put 32 unanswered points on the Titans in Round 3, but on Friday night they were the better side for majority of their clash with heavyweights Melbourne Storm — despite losing by two points.
And that was without regular starters Jacob Preston (jaw), Blake Wilson (illness), Kurt Mann (hand), Max King (wrist), Kurtis Morrin (suspension) and Blake Taaffe (head knock).
Ciraldo was forced to shuffle his team to cover those absences and that has uncovered a red-hot backline that could be the way forward.
Josh Addo-Carr bagged a hat-trick, Jacob Kiraz had a blinder on the wing, while Bronson Xerri got a second game in the centres — and this time looked a lot better off a full week of preparation. Xerri, who was thrust in last round with minimal notice, finished with a try assist, a linebreak assist, two linebreaks, four tackle busts and 174 running metres. His natural speed off the mark was a noticeable asset for the Dogs too.
Many assumed Stephen Crichton would shift to fullback to cover for Taaffe but instead Ciraldo went with Connor Tracey and it was a masterstroke. Tracey, who notched up a linebreak assist, three tackle busts and 126 metres, was tough, reliable and his work-rate had similarities to that of Dylan Edwards. And that was with a calf niggle, which he picked up in Round 5.
Taaffe is due to return from a concussion in Round 7 but does he walk back into the fullback role? Many will say no.
And that’s not the only selection head ache Ciraldo will have this week. Calls for Drew Hutchison to be dropped for Toby Sexton are growing louder and it’s something the coach can’t ignore for much longer.
Sexton was brought to the club mid-2023 for his footy smarts and because he’s a genuine halfback but fell behind Hutchison on the pecking order coming into this season.
New recruit Hutchison thrived in the Roosters system as a back-up playmaker because all he needed to do was nail the basics when he played in the halves. But it’s a much bigger job at the Bulldogs and after six weeks the jury is out on whether he is the right answer at No.7.
The Bulldogs had several opportunities to seal the game at AAMI Park but blew them with their questionable end-of-set options — like the two occasions Hutchison passed to Crichton on the last tackle with the star centre forced to put in grubbers.
Sexton has been patiently waiting in the wings — he’s been 18th man for three games — but perhaps it’s time to see what he can do.
Sure, the Dogs put 32 unanswered points on the Titans in Round 3, but on Friday night they were the better side for majority of their clash with heavyweights Melbourne Storm — despite losing by two points.
And that was without regular starters Jacob Preston (jaw), Blake Wilson (illness), Kurt Mann (hand), Max King (wrist), Kurtis Morrin (suspension) and Blake Taaffe (head knock).
Ciraldo was forced to shuffle his team to cover those absences and that has uncovered a red-hot backline that could be the way forward.
Josh Addo-Carr bagged a hat-trick, Jacob Kiraz had a blinder on the wing, while Bronson Xerri got a second game in the centres — and this time looked a lot better off a full week of preparation. Xerri, who was thrust in last round with minimal notice, finished with a try assist, a linebreak assist, two linebreaks, four tackle busts and 174 running metres. His natural speed off the mark was a noticeable asset for the Dogs too.
Many assumed Stephen Crichton would shift to fullback to cover for Taaffe but instead Ciraldo went with Connor Tracey and it was a masterstroke. Tracey, who notched up a linebreak assist, three tackle busts and 126 metres, was tough, reliable and his work-rate had similarities to that of Dylan Edwards. And that was with a calf niggle, which he picked up in Round 5.
Taaffe is due to return from a concussion in Round 7 but does he walk back into the fullback role? Many will say no.
And that’s not the only selection head ache Ciraldo will have this week. Calls for Drew Hutchison to be dropped for Toby Sexton are growing louder and it’s something the coach can’t ignore for much longer.
Sexton was brought to the club mid-2023 for his footy smarts and because he’s a genuine halfback but fell behind Hutchison on the pecking order coming into this season.
New recruit Hutchison thrived in the Roosters system as a back-up playmaker because all he needed to do was nail the basics when he played in the halves. But it’s a much bigger job at the Bulldogs and after six weeks the jury is out on whether he is the right answer at No.7.
The Bulldogs had several opportunities to seal the game at AAMI Park but blew them with their questionable end-of-set options — like the two occasions Hutchison passed to Crichton on the last tackle with the star centre forced to put in grubbers.
Sexton has been patiently waiting in the wings — he’s been 18th man for three games — but perhaps it’s time to see what he can do.
