djdeep4172
Kennel Enthusiast
- Joined
- Sep 29, 2014
- Messages
- 3,687
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BULLDOGS
Biggest issue: Gelling a largely new team into a cohesive unit.
Analysis: The Bulldogs desperately needed the cavalry to arrive after they took out the wooden spoon with just three wins in 2021, four fewer than the 15th placed Cowboys, who were awful. While the fact that they have been arguably the busiest team in the recruitment stakes is important to turn the club’s fortunes around, so many new faces means it will also take time to form combinations. The backline is tipped to have four new players in Matt Dufty, Brent Naden, Josh Addo-Carr and Matt Burton, while the pack will have to integrate Paul Vaughan, Tevita Pangai Jr and John Asiata. Burton is the key signing but he will be thrust into the five-eighth role after playing the last season as a centre and taking out the Dally M award for that position. Who partners Burton in the halves is also unknown with Jake Averillo and Kyle Flanagan fighting it out for the No.7 jersey. How Burton transitions into being the main playmaker on his team will be vital to the Dog’s chances of becoming finals contenders. On paper the 2022 Bulldogs look a much stronger side, but with so many new players coming from a variety of clubs, Trent Barrett will need time to get them all singing from the same hymn sheet.
Biggest issue: Gelling a largely new team into a cohesive unit.
Analysis: The Bulldogs desperately needed the cavalry to arrive after they took out the wooden spoon with just three wins in 2021, four fewer than the 15th placed Cowboys, who were awful. While the fact that they have been arguably the busiest team in the recruitment stakes is important to turn the club’s fortunes around, so many new faces means it will also take time to form combinations. The backline is tipped to have four new players in Matt Dufty, Brent Naden, Josh Addo-Carr and Matt Burton, while the pack will have to integrate Paul Vaughan, Tevita Pangai Jr and John Asiata. Burton is the key signing but he will be thrust into the five-eighth role after playing the last season as a centre and taking out the Dally M award for that position. Who partners Burton in the halves is also unknown with Jake Averillo and Kyle Flanagan fighting it out for the No.7 jersey. How Burton transitions into being the main playmaker on his team will be vital to the Dog’s chances of becoming finals contenders. On paper the 2022 Bulldogs look a much stronger side, but with so many new players coming from a variety of clubs, Trent Barrett will need time to get them all singing from the same hymn sheet.