News Bulldogs’ brutal season start; Cowboys (R1), Broncos (R2), Manly (R3), Storm (R4), Panthers (R5), Rabbitohs (R6)

[Howie B]

FMD, the NRL sure looks after Melbourne and the Donkeys.

Five of Melbourne's first seven rounds are at AAMI Park. Is this the NRL helping Melbourne knowing that cracks are appearing everywhere in their "culture", with Munster and NAS the headliners and the Dolphins about to steal their major source of players.

Seven of the Donkey's first 10 games will be played in Brisbane. Is this the NRL helping the Donkeys knowing that the Dolphins are on the move and about to make big signings in what used to be exclusive Donkeys and Melbourne recruiting territory.

Always a Bulldog

Well it makes sense given that the Broncos are owned by Newscorp and they provide significant TV rights to the NRL

 

[2144superman]

Look at our last 10 rounds, that's a dream run home and were deadset good for at least 7 of the 10 games to finish off and cement a spot in the top 8.

15	Bulldogs v Wests Tigers	Sunday 19 June	4:05PM	Commbank Stadium
16	Bulldogs v Sharks	Saturday 2 July	3:00PM	Commbank Stadium
17	Bye
18	Bulldogs v Rabbitohs	Sunday 17 July	6:15PM	Stadium Australia
19	Bulldogs v Titans	Sunday 24 July	2:00PM	Commbank Stadium
20	Knights v Bulldogs	Sunday 31 July	2:00PM	McDonald Jones Stadium
21	Bulldogs v Cowboys	Sunday 7 August	2:00PM	Salter Oval, Bundaberg
22	Warriors v Bulldogs	Friday 12 August	6:00PM	Mt Smart Stadium
23	Eels v Bulldogs	Saturday 20 August	3:00PM	Commbank Stadium
24	Sharks v Bulldogs	Saturday 27 August	5:30PM	PointsBet Stadium
25	Bulldogs v Sea Eagles	Friday 2 September	6:00PM	Stadium Australia

 

[B-Train]

Look at our last 10 rounds, that's a dream run home and were deadset good for at least 7 of the 10 games to finish off and cement a spot in the top 8.

15	Bulldogs v Wests Tigers	Sunday 19 June	4:05PM	Commbank Stadium
16	Bulldogs v Sharks	Saturday 2 July	3:00PM	Commbank Stadium
17	Bye
18	Bulldogs v Rabbitohs	Sunday 17 July	6:15PM	Stadium Australia
19	Bulldogs v Titans	Sunday 24 July	2:00PM	Commbank Stadium
20	Knights v Bulldogs	Sunday 31 July	2:00PM	McDonald Jones Stadium
21	Bulldogs v Cowboys	Sunday 7 August	2:00PM	Salter Oval, Bundaberg
22	Warriors v Bulldogs	Friday 12 August	6:00PM	Mt Smart Stadium
23	Eels v Bulldogs	Saturday 20 August	3:00PM	Commbank Stadium
24	Sharks v Bulldogs	Saturday 27 August	5:30PM	PointsBet Stadium
25	Bulldogs v Sea Eagles	Friday 2 September	6:00PM	Stadium Australia

It's almost as if the draw evens out after we have some tough games in the first 6 weeks. Who would have thought?

 

[Hansta]

We are the spooners. All games are tough. Why are so many people complaining

 

[2144superman]

Teams we play TWICE;
Panthers
Rabbitohs
Sea Eagles
Eels
Knights
Sharks
Wests Tigers
Broncos
Cowboys

 

[2144superman]

 

[Howie B]

Teams we play TWICE;
Panthers
Rabbitohs
Sea Eagles
Eels
Knights
Sharks
Wests Tigers
Broncos
Cowboys

So 3 out of the top 4 from last year (including the 2 grand finalists). I dont mind the other teams we have to play twice though

I said previously I thought it was an ordinary draw but that more revolved around our first 6 rounds plus the fact we have to forfeit one of our home games for Magic Round again.

 

[Howie B]

It's almost as if the draw evens out after we have some tough games in the first 6 weeks. Who would have thought?

Yep it does mate but that happened last year as well. We actually had a decent run home but by then our season was cooked and we had nothing to play for.

I havent had a look at the draw but it would be interesting to see if any other teams had to play the top 4 teams in the first 6 rounds. Lets remember last year we had Souths, Penrith and Storm all in the first 5 rounds.

 

[NQ Dog]

I'm looking forward to the first few games. It will give an indication if we have a hope or keep thinking about rebuilding. I truly believe we will be very competitive next season and a dominant start is what we need for confidence. Do the Dogs.

 

[2144superman]

Yep it does mate but that happened last year as well. We actually had a decent run home but by then our season was cooked and we had nothing to play for.

I havent had a look at the draw but it would be interesting to see if any other teams had to play the top 4 teams in the first 6 rounds. Lets remember last year we had Souths, Penrith and Storm all in the first 5 rounds.

 

[Howie B]

View attachment 33169

So our split is 13/11 in regards to top 8 and bottom 8. Only the Broncos have a worse split.

But when you look at it I agree with others that it evens out. Its more just getting the good teams early on

 

[Bulldogsteve]

View attachment 33169

it is all pretty even imo.
last years bottom 2, broncos and us, will pressuring for the top8 imo, so it is irrelevant last years results.

 

[Bulldogsteve]

So our split is 13/11 in regards to top 8 and bottom 8. Only the Broncos have a worse split.

But when you look at it I agree with others that it evens out. Its more just getting the good teams early on

and dont forget we request Parra, Souths and Roosters every year

 

[wendog33]

Should I be whinging and crying about something that can't be changed instead? I know we've been losing for the past five years but the loser mentality of our fans is alarming. This is a different squad. They shouldn't be afraid of playing anyone. If you are, then you've lost half the battle before the game has started.

That's what I meant about the clubs traditions. I don't remember our underdog teams in 95 and 98 that made amazing runs to get into the finals and then to make the GF against all odds crying about the draw and how hard it is..

Dean did

 

[wendog33]

We are the spooners. All games are tough. Why are so many people complaining

We'd have preferred not to get Top 4 back to back to back to back is all, in the opening 6 weeks

 

[Bulldogsteve]

We draw the highest crowds of most Sydney teams and they give us the worst timeslots for attending games. Especially if we start winning more games

we have alot of sunday games they are the biggest crowd pullers traditionally

 

[jasonsmith11]

5 games on free to air as arguably sydneys most powerful club is a sellout by NRL they dont care about football or the fans

 

[bradyk]

5 games on free to air as arguably sydneys most powerful club is a sellout by NRL they dont care about football or the fans

We finished last this year and have been down the bottom for a couple of years now. Until we start winning and being competitive we don't deserve shit.

 

[B-Train]

Yep it does mate but that happened last year as well. We actually had a decent run home but by then our season was cooked and we had nothing to play for.

I havent had a look at the draw but it would be interesting to see if any other teams had to play the top 4 teams in the first 6 rounds. Lets remember last year we had Souths, Penrith and Storm all in the first 5 rounds.

Thankfully next season we're much better positioned to be competitive in those tough games early on and we can potentially win a couple.

Now that the draw has fully been revealed, it seems very even amongst the 16 teams in terms of playing last year's top 8 and bottom 4 teams.

 

[Tassie Devil]

We are the spooners. All games are tough. Why are so many people complaining

Exactly.