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Last year’s wooden spooners Canterbury have started off this season in winning fashion, earning a tight 6-4 win over North Queensland in Townsville on Sunday.
In slippery conditions, the Dogs were pushed to the limit as they held onto their lead in the second half, losing Chris Patolo, Braidon Bruns, Brent Naden and Jeremy Marshall-King to head injuries.
While it wasn’t the prettiest of performances, The Daily Telegraph’sDavid Riccio believes the “effort and desire” shown by Bulldogs players helps ease pressure on coach Trent Barrett as it shows he has the faith of the squad.
“It eases the pressure for one week, Trent Barrett would know that,” Riccio said on SEN 1170 Breakfast.
“He’s a head coach of an NRL team and the pressure is always there, but it takes away the headlines of negativity for seven days with the Bulldogs headed for a tough season.
“It was a gutsy win, look, when you want to critique whether a club or team is playing for its coach, I think the biggest indicator is team unity and that culture – the effort and desire, you couldn’t question that yesterday from the Canterbury players.
“To repel the Cowboys with no one left on the bench, I thought that was a really positive sign for the Bulldogs fans.
The Bulldogs could go 2-0 with a win over the Broncos next Saturday, and Riccio expects the side to get a big boost with star recruit Tevita Pangai Jr tipped to return from injury.
“They play the Broncos next Saturday night, and I suspect Tevita Pangai Jr will return,” Riccio said.
“He didn’t play last night due to a hamstring injury, so it’ll be on again next Saturday.
“Only another good performance will keep that pressure away.”
The Dogs host the Broncos in their Round 2 clash on Sunday night at Accor Stadium.
In slippery conditions, the Dogs were pushed to the limit as they held onto their lead in the second half, losing Chris Patolo, Braidon Bruns, Brent Naden and Jeremy Marshall-King to head injuries.
While it wasn’t the prettiest of performances, The Daily Telegraph’sDavid Riccio believes the “effort and desire” shown by Bulldogs players helps ease pressure on coach Trent Barrett as it shows he has the faith of the squad.
“It eases the pressure for one week, Trent Barrett would know that,” Riccio said on SEN 1170 Breakfast.
“He’s a head coach of an NRL team and the pressure is always there, but it takes away the headlines of negativity for seven days with the Bulldogs headed for a tough season.
“It was a gutsy win, look, when you want to critique whether a club or team is playing for its coach, I think the biggest indicator is team unity and that culture – the effort and desire, you couldn’t question that yesterday from the Canterbury players.
“To repel the Cowboys with no one left on the bench, I thought that was a really positive sign for the Bulldogs fans.
The Bulldogs could go 2-0 with a win over the Broncos next Saturday, and Riccio expects the side to get a big boost with star recruit Tevita Pangai Jr tipped to return from injury.
“They play the Broncos next Saturday night, and I suspect Tevita Pangai Jr will return,” Riccio said.
“He didn’t play last night due to a hamstring injury, so it’ll be on again next Saturday.
“Only another good performance will keep that pressure away.”
The Dogs host the Broncos in their Round 2 clash on Sunday night at Accor Stadium.
