2020 Team Reviews: A slow build for the Bulldogs | NRL on Nine
- Thread starter jof
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Always respected Sterlo’s word, very good at being impartial and looks at the bigger picture...
GoTheDoggies
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Notice how Sterling didn't mention Floppy or Wakeham when discussing the future halves pairing. He spoke about Averillo and Green.
He said to go after Burton and sign a dummy half.
He said to go after Burton and sign a dummy half.
bulldogsmyte
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Sterling is by FAR the best and most impartial, observant and eloquent commentator. He's in a completely different league to Mr Exaggeration Gus and Mr Incoherent Andrew Johns.
BondiBulldog
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️
blue & white blood
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Love him or hate him everything he said in this video is 100% correct and really it's exactly what we've all been saying, and unless the club surprises us and starts to buy some quality players to fill mainly the spine positions we are going to find ourselves in the same position next year.I like him, but I like this️
BULLDOGS (15th 3 wins, 17 losses)
What went right: The Bulldogs showed against the Rabbitohs in Round 19 that when they put it all together they can challenge the top eight sides. The club may have finished on the same amount of wins as the Broncos, but their points differential was 154 points better off and they were in far more games for longer periods as they avoided the dreaded wooden spoon. Jake Averillo announced himself as a potential star of the future and was impressive in his one outing at five-eighth. Adam Elliot shunned offers to stay loyal with the club and he is someone to build around for the future. They secured a long-term coach in Trent Barrett who has had success in turning the Panthers into an excellent attacking unit, which is the area they Dogs need to fix the most.
What went wrong: Plenty. The schoolgirl sex scandal saw arguably the Bulldogs best forward Corey Harawira-Naera stood down for much of the season before he quit the club to join the Raiders. Jayden Okunbor was rubbed out for most of the year over the same incident before injuring his knee in the final round. Arguably the club’s best back in Will Hopoate spent a long stint on the sidelines with injury and the club’s woeful attack made them struggle to keep the pace with most teams, despite some committed defensive displays. The Bulldogs had a lack of strike outside backs to ice opportunities and playmakers to consistently deliver on last tackle options. They also lost one of their best forwards in Adam Elliott for the season with a shoulder injury, while star recruit Joe Stimson barely played a game due to his shoulder injury. They also lost coach Dean Pay who stepped down mid-season after it was clear he wouldn’t be retained beyond 2020.
Biggest issue: Their halves. The Bulldogs have a forward pack that can hold their own on any given day and outside backs that can score points, but they are lacking creative halves that can consistently create opportunities for their teammates. Kieran Foran was their best performed playmaker, but injuries caused the club to move him on. Lachlan Lewis, Jack Cogger and Brandon Wakeham have been tried and while they are still young they simply haven’t consistently performed at NRL level. Until the Bulldogs can improve their ability to score points they won’t win many football games.
Who they should target: Incoming coach Trent Barrett needs to try and bring Panthers young gun Matt Burton to the club to play five-eighth. Penrith are reluctant to let Burton go, but with Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai entrenched in the halves, the prospect of regular football and a starting spot at the Bulldogs may prove too enticing. Benji Marshall would also help improve the side’s woeful attack. The Bulldogs should go after Brandon Smith or Harry Grant if Cameron Smith decides to play on at the Storm. Will Hopoate is a consistent performer, but his best position may be at centre, so the Bulldogs could also target a fullback but there aren’t many good ones on the market. Matt Ikuvalu from the Roosters could provide some potency out wide.
Grade: E
From foxsports
What went right: The Bulldogs showed against the Rabbitohs in Round 19 that when they put it all together they can challenge the top eight sides. The club may have finished on the same amount of wins as the Broncos, but their points differential was 154 points better off and they were in far more games for longer periods as they avoided the dreaded wooden spoon. Jake Averillo announced himself as a potential star of the future and was impressive in his one outing at five-eighth. Adam Elliot shunned offers to stay loyal with the club and he is someone to build around for the future. They secured a long-term coach in Trent Barrett who has had success in turning the Panthers into an excellent attacking unit, which is the area they Dogs need to fix the most.
What went wrong: Plenty. The schoolgirl sex scandal saw arguably the Bulldogs best forward Corey Harawira-Naera stood down for much of the season before he quit the club to join the Raiders. Jayden Okunbor was rubbed out for most of the year over the same incident before injuring his knee in the final round. Arguably the club’s best back in Will Hopoate spent a long stint on the sidelines with injury and the club’s woeful attack made them struggle to keep the pace with most teams, despite some committed defensive displays. The Bulldogs had a lack of strike outside backs to ice opportunities and playmakers to consistently deliver on last tackle options. They also lost one of their best forwards in Adam Elliott for the season with a shoulder injury, while star recruit Joe Stimson barely played a game due to his shoulder injury. They also lost coach Dean Pay who stepped down mid-season after it was clear he wouldn’t be retained beyond 2020.
Biggest issue: Their halves. The Bulldogs have a forward pack that can hold their own on any given day and outside backs that can score points, but they are lacking creative halves that can consistently create opportunities for their teammates. Kieran Foran was their best performed playmaker, but injuries caused the club to move him on. Lachlan Lewis, Jack Cogger and Brandon Wakeham have been tried and while they are still young they simply haven’t consistently performed at NRL level. Until the Bulldogs can improve their ability to score points they won’t win many football games.
Who they should target: Incoming coach Trent Barrett needs to try and bring Panthers young gun Matt Burton to the club to play five-eighth. Penrith are reluctant to let Burton go, but with Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai entrenched in the halves, the prospect of regular football and a starting spot at the Bulldogs may prove too enticing. Benji Marshall would also help improve the side’s woeful attack. The Bulldogs should go after Brandon Smith or Harry Grant if Cameron Smith decides to play on at the Storm. Will Hopoate is a consistent performer, but his best position may be at centre, so the Bulldogs could also target a fullback but there aren’t many good ones on the market. Matt Ikuvalu from the Roosters could provide some potency out wide.
Grade: E
From foxsports
ILiveForDib
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B
Biggest issue without a doubt was coaching, poor line up choices from round 1 is was caused the issue with the halves. Repeatedly picking Lewis, not giving averillo time in the halves and lack of basic game skills is why we struggled.