News Best 17 for 2022: Canterbury Bulldogs

Scoooby

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Agree, Hethro in for Waddell and Chris Patolo on the bench, have high hopes for him developing this year and becoming a top level player.
Also unsure if RFM would be ready maybe Ava gets that other bench spot or whom?
Agree !
 

Dawain87

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Im pretty sure Baz has locked in 95% of the team to take on to the field come round 1 and using the trials like any other coach would do and that's to keep these guys on their toes and knowing that they are replaceable.

He would've learnt from last time that even if a player for example like Dietz who last year had an amazing trial game that it doesn't necessarily translate into actual first grade gameplay.
 

piggy

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This is the version from Darcie McDonald and Tom Sargeant from Fox Sports

BULLDOGS

1. Matt Dufty 2. Josh Addo-Carr 3. Brent Naden 4. Aaron Schoupp 5. Jayden Okunbor 6. Matt Burton 7. Jake Averillo 8. Paul Vaughan 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Luke Thompson 11. Jack Hetherington 12. Tevita Pangai Jr 13. Josh Jackson 14. Bailey Biondi-Odo 15. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 16. Ava Seumanufagai 17. Max King

Analysis: New recruits Matt Dufty, Josh Addo-Carr, Brent Naden, Matt Burton, Paul Vaughan and Tevita Pangai Jr all come into the 17. Jake Averillo — the recipient of last season’s coach’s award — will likely get first shot at partnering Burton in the halves ahead of Kyle Flanagan, Brandon Wakeham and Bailey Biondi-Odo, however the latter could land the bench utility role. Raymond Fataila-Mariner returns from a long-term foot injury but given he hasn’t played since Round 2 last year, he’ll likely be eased back in off the bench. Jack Hetherington was impressive when he got a taste of the second row in the final rounds of last season and is the strongest option to fill in while Faitala-Mariner gets back into. Workhorse prop Ava Seumanufagai bounced between the starting side and the bench last year but Vaughan’s addition will likely see him come off the bench in Round 1. Max King, Jackson Topine, Chris Patolo, Corey Waddell and Joe Stimson will battle for the final spot on the bench but King’s ability to cover prop, lock and second row, on top of his experience, could edge him out as the winner. Aaron Schoupp underwent shoulder surgery during the off-season but will be right for Round 1, however second-rower Matt Doorey won’t be in the mix until later this season as he recovers from an ACL injury.
Okunbor cab piss off to reserve grade....his defensive reads are pathetic
 

KLil

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I like doorey also shame his injury was looking good end of the season also
I like the kid too and believe he will come good eventually but injuries have definitely stemmed his flow.
 

flamebouyant

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The Canterbury Bulldogs have been glued to the bottom of the NRL ladder for years.

Long a laughing stock of the NRL as they attempted to work their major salary cap problems out, 2022 is the year to turn it all around.

They have put a broom through their squad, signing more players than any other team in recent memory in an aggressive recruitment run.

Trent Barrett’s side, under the direction of new director of football Phil Gould seems primed for a much better season, but questions around whether they will gel, and what their best 17 actually looks like remains.

The recruitment report
Ins: Josh Addo-Carr (Melbourne Storm, 2025), Braidon Burns (South Sydney Rabbitohs, 2023), Matt Burton (Penrith Panthers, 2024), Joshua Cook (South Sydney Rabbitohs, 2023), Matthew Dufty (St George Illawarra Dragons, 2022), Max King (Melbourne Storm, 2022), Brent Naden (Penrith Panthers, 2023), Tevita Pangai Junior (Brisbane Broncos, 2024), Paul Vaughan (St George Illawarra Dragons, 2022)

Outs: Renouf Atoni (Sydney Roosters), Dean Britt (released), Nick Cotric(Canberra Raiders), Christian Crichton (Penrith Panthers), Bradley Deitz(released), Adam Elliott (Canberra Raiders), Tyrone Harding (released), Watson Heleta (released), Will Hopoate (St Helens RLFC), Sione Katoa(released), Lachlan Lewis (released), Falakiko Manu (released), Nick Meaney(Melbourne Storm), Dylan Napa (Catalan Dragons), James Roumanos(released), Chris Smith (Penrith Panthers), Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (New Zealand Warriors)

Re-signed: Bailey Biondi-Odo (2023), Tui Katoa (2022), Jeremy Marshall-King(2023), Jayden Okunbor (2023), Aaron Schoupp (2024), Ava Seumanufagai(2023)

Full squad
Josh Addo-Carr, Paul Alamoti, Corey Allan, Jake Averillo, Bailey Biondi-Odo, Braidon Burns, Matt Burton, Joshua Cook, Nick Cotric, Matt Doorey, Matthew Dufty, Raymond Faitala-Mariner, Kyle Flanagan, Jack Hetherington, Josh Jackson, Tui Katoa, Max King, Jeremy Marshall-King, Brent Naden, Jayden Okunbor, Tevita Pangai Junior, Aaron Schoupp, Ava Seumanufagai, Joe Stimson, Luke Thompson, Jackson Topine, Paul Vaughan, Corey Waddell, Brandon Wakeham

Who plays where?
Fullback
The Bulldogs have signed the discarded Matt Dufty from the St George Illawarra Dragons, but there is no guarantee over how firm his grasp on the number one jumper is.

There has been plenty of talk that Josh Addo-Carr wants to shift to fullback following his move from the Melbourne Storm system, but the New South Wales Origin winger should still start the season out wide.

Dufty will then have other competition from Corey Allan, but it's hard to see the exciting attacking weapon not being in the side for Round 1, even if his defence can be susceptible.

Wingers
That being said, Josh Addo-Carr is just about the first player to secure a spot in this side, so he will most certainly line up on one of the wings following his move from the Victorian capital.

The other thing spot is up in the air.

Allan could again be in the mix for a spot out wide, while towering winger Jayden Okunbor could also be in with a shout.

Tui Katoa played nine games last year on the edge and did it well, averaging more than 100 metres per contest in a side who were badly beaten more often than they weren't.

It's going to come down to pre-season training as to who takes the spot, but Okunbor seems to have the X-Factor which the other two in competition don't, so he wins this spot having returned from injury with five tries in seven games at the end of 2021, including four in his last four games.


Centres
Moving further in field, and more recruits could headline the race for the centre positions, but it has to be said there is no certainty over who will be in the run-on side for the Bulldogs opening match of the season against the Cowboys here.

Brent Naden comes from the premiership-winning set-up at the Panthers and with mountains of potential. He got caught behind some talented options at Penrith last year and had to settle for just seven games, four of which came on the wing with another from the bench.

That doesn't mean he isn't the front-runner here though, impressing in each of those games.

The race for the other centre spot likely comes down to South Sydney Rabbitohs recruit Braidon Burns, or Aaron Schoupp, who could yet miss the start of the season with a shoulder injury, but is likely to claim a spot as soon as he is right to go having made 13 impressive appearances during his rookie season in 2021.

In this instance, Burns could well be fighting to be first reserve as he did at South Sydney alongside boom young gun Paul Alamoti.

Halves
The halves are anyone's guess. Matt Burton will certainly take one spot, despite spending most of 2021 in the centres at the Panthers.
He is a star of the future and will have the opportunity to make this his team moving forward.

Who partners him though is up for debate. Jake Averillo played most of the 2021 season in the halves and has an excellent kicking game, while Kyle Flanagan is going to be given a chance at some point to play behind a better team, with Phil Gould reportedly vouching for him to remain with the club are plenty of speculation over his future.

Brandon Wakeham has also impressed on occasion in the top grade, but is unlikely to be ahead of either Averillo or Flanagan in the pecking order, while the same could be said of Bailey Biondi-Odo, although his versatility means playing in the halves isn't his only option.

Middle forwards
It's more changes up front for the Bulldogs, with Paul Vaughan arriving at the club alongside Tevita Pangai Junior.

The former Dragon and Bronco respectively (and for a brief period, Panther) will add size and strength to this Bulldogs pack, although how Vaughan returns after missing the final eight games of 2021 through a suspension for an off-field COVID breach remains to be seen.

Regardless, he will be straight into the starting side, which is likely to push Tevita Pangai Junior out to the second-row. That is because neither Luke Thompsonor Josh Jackson can possibly not be in the starting side.

Thompson was explosive in 2021, while Jackson is the beating heart of this Bulldogs side, regularly making north of 50 tackles at lock.

That means the likes of Jack Hetherington, Ava Seumanufagai, Chris Patoloand another recruit in Max King will be fighting for bench spots.

Hooker
Expect Jeremy Marshall-King to be given first shot to fill the dummy half role, but he will need to perform strongly from the outset.
Marshall-King was a stop-gap measure who has turned himself into a genuine number nine.

Recruit Joshua Cook, who likely would have made his NRL debut at the Rabbitohs if not for COVID and injuries, is a star in the making and could well become part of the Canterbury first-grade side at some point this season.

Second-rowers
With Tevita Pangai Junior not being needed in the middle third of the park, it means he can do what he does best - line up on the edge and become a wrecking-ball.

It's his strongest spot without a shadow of a doubt and absolutely where he should be playing.

The other spot is far more contentious though. Ordinarily, Raymond Faitala-Mariner would be the man to slot in, but he has barely played for two years and needs games in reserve grade, and then off the bench to work his way back to full fitness.

He will slot into the Bulldogs' best 17 off the bench, but not straight away.

Joe Stimson has been something of a bust since his arrival at the club, which leaves Jackson Topine, Matt Doorey and Corey Waddell to fight over the slot if everyone was at full fitness.

Doorey would be the first choice, but is expected to miss up to half of the season. That means we leave him out of this best 17 and go with the experience of Waddell.

Interchange
The bench utility role will be intriguing to see which way Canterbury go - do they take a punt on Joshua Cook wanting proper backup for Marshall-King, knowing he can shift to the halves if need be, or play Biondi-Odo?

With first-grade experience under his belt, you'd have to assume Biondi-Odo gets first crack, but it's not a certainty.

When it comes to picking the remaining three forwards, Faitala-Mariner will, if he can get back to full fitness, only take a few weeks until he is the first-picked out of the rest.

Jack Hetherington, despite his disciplinary issues, will most certainly be in the 17 and so takes a spot on the bench, while the final spot comes down to Seumanufagai or Max King.

Coming out of the Storm system and with the ability to be a ball-playing lock, King takes this spot.

The best 17
1. Matt Dufty
2. Josh Addo-Carr
3. Brent Naden
4. Aaron Schoupp
5. Jayden Okunbor
6. Matt Burton
7. Jake Averillo
8. Paul Vaughan
9. Jeremy Marshall-King
10. Luke Thompson
11. Corey Waddell
12. Tevita Pangai Junior
13. Josh Jackson

Interchange
14. Bailey Biondi-Odo
15. Raymond Faitala-Mariner
16. Jack Hetherington
17. Max King
Fucking Waddell. Having a laugh surely.
 

Roger the alien

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At the start of the year I feel there will be multiple different players and combinations tried however they will eventually find the winning combination and make the play-offs.
The Bulldogs team that will take the field for week 1 of the finals.
1. MATT DUFTY
2. JOSH ADDO-CARR
3. JAKE AVERILLO
4. AARON SCHOUPP
5. BRENT NADEN
6. MATT BURTON
7. BAILEY BIONDI-ODO
8. LUKE THOMPSON
9. JOSH COOK
10. PAUL VAUGHAN
11. JACK HETHERINGTON
12. TEVITA PANGAI JUNIOR
13. JOSH JACKSON

14. JACKSON TOPINE
15. RAYMOND FAITALA-MARINER
16. CHRIS PATOLO
17. MAX KING
 

BMOC

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I don’t think the backline positions are settled yet.

Corey Allan is fighting for a wing spot with Okunbor. He played on the wing last year and showed he isn’t a bad finisher.

isaac lumelume is surely not training with us for the sake of it. I reckon he could be a dark horse for earning a starting spot ahead of okunbor and Allan.

Braidon burns is fighting for a centre spot with schoupp. I thought schoupp was great last year but don’t know what Barrett’s plans are with burns. Wouldn’t be surprised if burns makes the starting 17 .

What do you guys reckon?
 

CrittaMagic69

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I don’t think the backline positions are settled yet.

Corey Allan is fighting for a wing spot with Okunbor. He played on the wing last year and showed he isn’t a bad finisher.

isaac lumelume is surely not training with us for the sake of it. I reckon he could be a dark horse for earning a starting spot ahead of okunbor and Allan.

Braidon burns is fighting for a centre spot with schoupp. I thought schoupp was great last year but don’t know what Barrett’s plans are with burns. Wouldn’t be surprised if burns makes the starting 17 .

What do you guys reckon?
It sounds like the 13 is mostly decided on other than right centre, bench also might have a spot or two open. Baz seems set on most of the side, only injury/covid/discipline would force a change at this stage.
 

bradyk

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At the start of the year I feel there will be multiple different players and combinations tried however they will eventually find the winning combination and make the play-offs.
The Bulldogs team that will take the field for week 1 of the finals.
1. MATT DUFTY
2. JOSH ADDO-CARR
3. JAKE AVERILLO
4. AARON SCHOUPP
5. BRENT NADEN
6. MATT BURTON
7. BAILEY BIONDI-ODO
8. LUKE THOMPSON
9. JOSH COOK
10. PAUL VAUGHAN
11. JACK HETHERINGTON
12. TEVITA PANGAI JUNIOR
13. JOSH JACKSON

14. JACKSON TOPINE
15. RAYMOND FAITALA-MARINER
16. CHRIS PATOLO
17. MAX KING
When Barrett talked about our hooking stocks he didn't even mention Cook.
 

Ant2611

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It sounds like the 13 is mostly decided on other than right centre, bench also might have a spot or two open. Baz seems set on most of the side, only injury/covid/discipline would force a change at this stage.
Sounds like the Kennel has settled on the side.Barrett hasnt said anything. We still got 47 days left before we really find out. around 1830..
 

Philmus

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At the start of the year I feel there will be multiple different players and combinations tried however they will eventually find the winning combination and make the play-offs.
The Bulldogs team that will take the field for week 1 of the finals.
1. MATT DUFTY
2. JOSH ADDO-CARR
3. JAKE AVERILLO
4. AARON SCHOUPP
5. BRENT NADEN
6. MATT BURTON
7. BAILEY BIONDI-ODO
8. LUKE THOMPSON
9. JOSH COOK
10. PAUL VAUGHAN
11. JACK HETHERINGTON
12. TEVITA PANGAI JUNIOR
13. JOSH JACKSON

14. JACKSON TOPINE
15. RAYMOND FAITALA-MARINER
16. CHRIS PATOLO
17. MAX KING
i actually really like that side
 

Philmus

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I don’t think the backline positions are settled yet.

Corey Allan is fighting for a wing spot with Okunbor. He played on the wing last year and showed he isn’t a bad finisher.

isaac lumelume is surely not training with us for the sake of it. I reckon he could be a dark horse for earning a starting spot ahead of okunbor and Allan.

Braidon burns is fighting for a centre spot with schoupp. I thought schoupp was great last year but don’t know what Barrett’s plans are with burns. Wouldn’t be surprised if burns makes the starting 17 .

What do you guys reckon?
i'd have him above Okunbor and probably on par with Allen, so flip of the coin to be honest. Depends how the rest of the team stack up, JAC on one wing, Naden should get a start either at centre or on the wing, Schoupp will probably keep his spot so maybe Burns to play the other centre or wing?
 

stevesonthebay

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Was just going over some videos of all the Dogs halves. Burton will be at 6 and is a strong running 1/2 who needs a bit of space. It seems Averillo has played fullback, centre and half through the juniors. But I wonder if hes a specialist 7. He is solid and has a step and kick but I think he is a bit like Burton and is more a running 1/2.

Whereas Wakeman and Biondi Odo are smaller and more elusive halves. Biondi Odo reminds me of Barba a bit and could develop as a great half in the mould of Matty Bowen. But I don't think he is ready and probably would be good to continue his development off the bench. Wakeman is a bit of an unknown quantity. Not sure he has the ability to lead a team around the park.

Flanagan is a specialist 1/2, has a good kicking game and pass. Maybe his defense is a bit suspect. He has good pedigree so maybe behind a better team he may come good. But I think Averillo should get first crack as he has done nothing wrong.
 
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