OFFICIAL | PRE-GAME Bulldogs vs Dragons @ jubilee stadium - 8th March 5.30pm

J_B said:
CC will start the year with his most experienced team he can to get the rhythm back and a few wins to start the year , he will then slowly start to introduce our young guns into a winning team thats humming along well
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This is exactly what CC will do. He has done similar things for the past two seasons…

On the back of that. We have started both seasons on the back foot and been caught off the bit. Play your best 17 always. Not necessarily the most experienced 17.

Especially with Sitili & Curran not there round one. CC needs to be brave in a couple of selections.

Todd for mine is a must for a bench spot. Even if he is told it’s for one match only. No pressure just go out there and rip in. Without having the pressure to perform or else. He knows Curran is back round two. Just go out there and do what you do.

DSF should also be there. Unfortunately I can see a bench with Morrin, Salmon & Hayward and we will be bashed up through the middle.
 
TwinTurbo said:
Slight difference there.
Todd played 3 NSW Cup games in 2023, 4 NSW Cup games in 2023 and 11 NSW Cup games in 2024.
Preston played 12 NSW Cup games in 2022, 20 NRL games in 2023 and 18 NRL games in 2024.

Due to his broken arms Todd is short on NSW Cup games experience, I believe it is a bit much to expect him to be ready for the extreme mental and physical demands that playing at NRL level intensity every week puts on an inexperienced player.

I confident that he will be playing NRL games this season, but every game, I don't think so.


Team Work
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With all that said, it’s not unrealistic that it could occur. It’s simply your belief that he won’t, and that’s ok.
 
bulldogruss said:
With all that said, it’s not unrealistic that it could occur. It’s simply your belief that he won’t, and that’s ok.
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TwinTurbo said:
Prop, lock, it doesn’t matter, there is no way Todd is ready mentally or physically for NRL level intensity week in week out. He simply doesn’t have the experience for it.

Where exactly are you playing Curran? You have all 80 mins of 2 x prop and 1x lock taken up with King, Hughes, Todd and Mann. Are you playing Curran in the 2nd row?

Ditto Morrin and Hayes? If you are using them in the 2nd row where does Tupouniua’s minutes fit? Assuming Kikau and Preston both play close to 80 mins. Even if they both play 60 mins it doesn’t fit.

Who is the relief for Mahoney if he needs a break? Haywood is the most likely, but you have run out of bench spots.


Team Work
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Totally understand your concerns. I hear ya TT!

Todd has had a disrupted career thus far and he may well need a break from the pressure cooker of NRL from time to time.

He may not even cut it.

Then again, he might just smash it.

You don't know!
I don't know!
He doesn't know!!
Cos we haven't given him a chance yet!!!!!!!

It's all just conjecture at this point and anyone who thinks they know better is deluded. You & me included.

What I do know is this...
  • Todd has the best hands of any Dogs forward. (in close and out the back)
  • He's a big strong unit - 188cm & 106kg
  • He's got great footwork
  • He can read the play - (honestly TT .... how many other Dogs forwards have the IQ and ability to read & create?)
  • He has acceleration & punches through the line
  • His tackles have venom
  • He's probably not as fit as he needs to be yet to really handle CC's D strategy.

As far as my little sub rotation exercise is concerned .... I think I'd left Curran out because he's suspended.
The minutes I proposed are inconsequential - it was an 'off the cuff' suggestion.
Sub rotations are such an inexact science anyhoo - they often come unstuck with an injury or sin bin.

My point is simple !!!

FIT JACK TODD INTO THE 17 - He is TOO FKN GOOD for RESERVE GRADE.

If it's not every week - that's ok.
No probs - play him when he's mentally and emotionally ready.

But every single year - rookies have outstanding seasons.

Why not give Jack Todd a chance to prove that he's that guy in 25?
 
Rumdogmillionaire said:
Totally understand your concerns. I hear ya TT!

Todd has had a disrupted career thus far and he may well need a break from the pressure cooker of NRL from time to time.

He may not even cut it.

Then again, he might just smash it.

You don't know!
I don't know!
He doesn't know!!
Cos we haven't given him a chance yet!!!!!!!

It's all just conjecture at this point and anyone who thinks they know better is deluded. You & me included.

What I do know is this...
  • Todd has the best hands of any Dogs forward. (in close and out the back)
  • He's a big strong unit - 188cm & 106kg
  • He's got great footwork
  • He can read the play - (honestly TT .... how many other Dogs forwards have the IQ and ability to read & create?)
  • He has acceleration & punches through the line
  • His tackles have venom
  • He's probably not as fit as he needs to be yet to really handle CC's D strategy.

As far as my little sub rotation exercise is concerned .... I think I'd left Curran out because he's suspended.
The minutes I proposed are inconsequential - it was an 'off the cuff' suggestion.
Sub rotations are such an inexact science anyhoo - they often come unstuck with an injury or sin bin.

My point is simple !!!

FIT JACK TODD INTO THE 17 - He is TOO FKN GOOD for RESERVE GRADE.

If it's not every week - that's ok.
No probs - play him when he's mentally and emotionally ready.

But every single year - rookies have outstanding seasons.

Why not give Jack Todd a chance to prove that he's that guy in 25?
Click to expand...
pretty sure we see Todd play at some point. How soon may depend on injuries, which always happen in the forwards.
 
Rumdogmillionaire said:
Totally understand your concerns. I hear ya TT!

Todd has had a disrupted career thus far and he may well need a break from the pressure cooker of NRL from time to time.

He may not even cut it.

Then again, he might just smash it.

You don't know!
I don't know!
He doesn't know!!
Cos we haven't given him a chance yet!!!!!!!

It's all just conjecture at this point and anyone who thinks they know better is deluded. You & me included.

What I do know is this...
  • Todd has the best hands of any Dogs forward. (in close and out the back)
  • He's a big strong unit - 188cm & 106kg
  • He's got great footwork
  • He can read the play - (honestly TT .... how many other Dogs forwards have the IQ and ability to read & create?)
  • He has acceleration & punches through the line
  • His tackles have venom
  • He's probably not as fit as he needs to be yet to really handle CC's D strategy.

As far as my little sub rotation exercise is concerned .... I think I'd left Curran out because he's suspended.
The minutes I proposed are inconsequential - it was an 'off the cuff' suggestion.
Sub rotations are such an inexact science anyhoo - they often come unstuck with an injury or sin bin.

My point is simple !!!

FIT JACK TODD INTO THE 17 - He is TOO FKN GOOD for RESERVE GRADE.

If it's not every week - that's ok.
No probs - play him when he's mentally and emotionally ready.

But every single year - rookies have outstanding seasons.

Why not give Jack Todd a chance to prove that he's that guy in 25?
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I think Todd is a must we need his style of play to break up our middle structure.
He has that attack through the middle to break the line and use his footwork for some 2ndphase which we're missing.
 
2ndphase said:
I think Todd is a must we need his style of play to break up our middle structure.
He has that attack through the middle to break the line and use his footwork for some 2ndphase which we're missing.
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Totally agree - we are in dire need of some quality 2nd phase play
 
2ndphase said:
I think Todd is a must we need his style of play to break up our middle structure.
He has that attack through the middle to break the line and use his footwork for some 2ndphase which we're missing.
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I hope us signing thompson doesn't cost us this guy.
 
Doggies will definitely be up for the contest
Will win the dragons by 14 points deferential
 
bradyk said:
1. Tracey
2. Montoya
3. Xerri
4. Crichton
5. Wilson
6. Burton
7. Sexton
8. King
9. Mahoney
10. Hughes
11. Kikau
12. Preston
13. Mann

14. Hayward
15. Morrin
16. Hayes
17. Salmon
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This formula worked for the most part last year, basically a utility and 3x workers on the bench with no real size. Without Curran and Sitili, We get away with this squad against teams like Dragons, but, Manly, Sharks and Broncos will be testing… I feel like we need some decent size against those teams.

Disappointing Sitili is out, was looking forward to seeing him out there, he’s definitely a good point of difference for the team. One of Zyon or Amone (when fit) need to be on the bench somewhere. Tia is unlucky not to be 14, CC is giving Hayward the first shot out of loyalty. I’ve been really impressed with Tia and Todd in preseason.
 
With unforeseen injuries and departures over the off-season this is my best team for round 1.
REPEAT Round 1 only!
This team is designed to strengthen the outside backs, picked on form and availability.
REPEAT to strengthen the outside backs!
This team would hurt the egos of 3 players, I don’t need to say who.
1. Blake Taaffe - best fullback from the trials.
2. Connor Tracey
3. Bronson Xerri
4. Matt Burton
5. Stephen Crichton
6. Cassius Tia - on debut against Kyle Flanagan
7. Toby Sexton
8. Max King
9. Reed Mahoney
10. Samuel Hughes
11. Viliame Kikau
12. Jacob Preston
13. Kurt Mann
14. Jack Todd - best trial form and foolish not to select him.
15. Jaeman Salmon
16. Bailey Hayward
17. Kurtis Morrin
I dare say CC will not roll with this team as he does not want to upset team morale, Shane Flanagan would but look what happened to him last year.
No right or wrong.
 
Bullfrog2 said:
With unforeseen injuries and departures over the off-season this is my best team for round 1.
REPEAT Round 1 only!
This team is designed to strengthen the outside backs, picked on form and availability.
REPEAT to strengthen the outside backs!
This team would hurt the egos of 3 players, I don’t need to say who.
1. Blake Taaffe - best fullback from the trials.
2. Connor Tracey
3. Bronson Xerri
4. Matt Burton
5. Stephen Crichton
6. Cassius Tia - on debut against Kyle Flanagan
7. Toby Sexton
8. Max King
9. Reed Mahoney
10. Samuel Hughes
11. Viliame Kikau
12. Jacob Preston
13. Kurt Mann
14. Jack Todd - best trial form and foolish not to select him.
15. Jaeman Salmon
16. Bailey Hayward
17. Kurtis Morrin
I dare say CC will not roll with this team as he does not want to upset team morale, Shane Flanagan would but look what happened to him last year.
No right or wrong.
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Crichton has to stay in the centres, he’s too valuable defensively imo and maybe swap out Salmon for DSF or Zyon… but hey, in Ciro we trust, even if we go down, he deserves our suppprt and respect for our turnaround.
 
D.O.W. said:
Crichton has to stay in the centres, he’s too valuable defensively imo and maybe swap out Salmon for DSF or Zyon… but hey, in Ciro we trust, even if we go down, he deserves our suppprt and respect for our turnaround.
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It’s about keeping the team together, suspect it’s going to be a tough year. You are correct we need to support CC and Gus. Don’t expect too much in 2025.
The back-line won’t be anywhere near this lineup, but it is strong!
Do you really think Crichton is that far in front of Burton in defence?
Salmon for DSF or Zyon is OK.
 
TwinTurbo said:
Todd has only played 18 NSW Cup games in 3 years. If he had played a whole season, or close to a whole season, last year in NSW Cup then maybe he could stand up to the intensity of NRL level week in week out. But he hasn't, in fact he has never played a whole season in NSW Cup so I think it might be bit much to expect him to play a whole season in the NRL.


Team Work
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People dont seem to realise the difference between NRL and NSW Cup. The intensity in NRL is immense.
Jack Todd is a very promising player, but he has only shown that ability playing mostly against boys.
I dont think he is ready for NRL, especially when there is more senior players available.
He would not let anyone down and may slot in if there are injuries.
 
Addressing the FB situation and I’d like to preface this by saying I’m a big Connor Tracey fan, but those school boy drops in the trial have carried over from 2024 (the one that hurt us was the Manly try in the qualifying final). The other aspect of his play I want to see better improvement on is his defensive work as too often his last line of defence has let us down to the point where I just concede a try before they score it ….again the lead up to manly match winning try was not his fault but if he makes the tackle on Koula we get the ball back and most probably win the game.

Taffe isn’t the long term answer but he doesn’t make me hold my breath when the ball goes up to him, he no world beater but playing 80mins in a GF is probably underrated on here ….

I am hopeful Connor can fix his errors in his game and have a great season but if we are 4 weeks in and he’s still making the same mistakes we will need to put him on the wing.
 
KiwiDog7 said:
Addressing the FB situation and I’d like to preface this by saying I’m a big Connor Tracey fan, but those school boy drops in the trial have carried over from 2024 (the one that hurt us was the Manly try in the qualifying final). The other aspect of his play I want to see better improvement on is his defensive work as too often his last line of defence has let us down to the point where I just concede a try before they score it ….again the lead up to manly match winning try was not his fault but if he makes the tackle on Koula we get the ball back and most probably win the game.

Taffe isn’t the long term answer but he doesn’t make me hold my breath when the ball goes up to him, he no world beater but playing 80mins in a GF is probably underrated on here ….

I am hopeful Connor can fix his errors in his game and have a great season but if we are 4 weeks in and he’s still making the same mistakes we will need to put him on the wing.
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Taaffes is miles worse than Tracey, you just don't remember :tearsofjoy:
 
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