Canterbury Bulldogs 2017 Season Preview

[GrogDog]

I don't think our cap has blown because is not signing anyone is not unique to this season we haven't signed anyone decent let a alone a superstar under des

Very true but with Des on notice and a team weaker next year than this, one would think if we had some Cap space than he would sign someone to help save his arse from the chopping block?

 

[TalDog]

Very true but with Des on notice and a team weaker next year than this, one would think if we had some Cap space than he would sign someone to help save his arse from the chopping block?

I agree but that's logical and logical thinking is forbidden at the dogs

 

[The Dogfather]

It just seems weird that we can't attract any decent talent to join us. Its embarrassing that no big name players want to play for us.

 

[khan]

It just seems weird that we can't attract any decent talent to join us. Its embarrassing that no big name players want to play for us.

The answer is clear = nobody wants to play for the fuck Witt.

 

[Boxer]

The answer is clear = nobody wants to play for the fuck Witt.

Exactly this des is a career killer.
Any player that has a natural talent is been wasted , and just follow orders.

 

[Trafford10]

8th is a stretch, I cant see us making the finals unless there has been some major shake ups and we have some changes to our style. Lichaa and Mbye will need to be able to play their natural game as well for us to be any threat.

Tolman and Graham also need to get the fuck out of the way.

Agree that Tolman especially but also Graham have to get out of the way and not be 1st receiver in the attacking zone.

However I have zero confidence in Mybe based on 2016 season where he went missing at the back end of the season.

Because of that I frankly have no idea how the team will perform in 2017?

 

[LordSidious66]

Gotenks' Canterbury Bulldogs 2017 Season Preview.

- ***** fucked.

Everytime the dogs play I feel like goku and vegeta everytime they gets kicked in the nuts in dragon ball abridged.

 

[GoTheDoggies]

Spine still not good enough to be a genuine threat. 5th-8th finish again.

 

[Minion]

Very true but with Des on notice and a team weaker next year than this, one would think if we had some Cap space than he would sign someone to help save his arse from the chopping block?

There's no real pressure on him to succeed as he can be certain based on his time with the club that the board will accept a top eight finish and meek surrender in the first week of the finals as an achievement.

 

[GrogDog]

There's no real pressure on him to succeed as he can be certain based on his time with the club that the board will accept a top eight finish and meek surrender in the first week of the finals as an achievement.

Yeah I know but I think his reputation is on the line. I know people will jizz over finals every year etc etc and some clubs would kill their mother's for that but at the Dogs he has had no real success and he is living off Manly days. If he is shown the door from us or we have the same crap next year as this, real people who know about footy will have question marks over him, especially so if his gameplan is the same as 2013, 2014...........2016! I am still see some proper coaching from him.

 

[cntrbry bnkstwn]

top 8 finals series takes alot of edge off the game.

it will never happen, but a top 5 finals series would mean negative style high percentage conservative play would no longer be a viable path to the finals

 

[Minion]

The minute we signed Hasler I was confident we would make the finals every year, and we have. It wont be any different next year. But, apart from the first few years I was not confident of being a contender, the same goes for next year.

The two times I had doubts was 2013 and 14. 2013 suspensions and Barba fucked our season, and his brothers death and we still made it. 2014 we had Perret, Brown and Thompson as a back three and still made it to the the GF. We will make it again, but I dont want to just be there I want us to shake it up.

Regardless of where we finish, top eight or not, most people would probably be happy to see the team allowed to play instinctively and be entertaining to watch. It's the boring robotic (and unsuccessful) game plan that we have grown to hate. If the coach changes up the game plan and lets the players follow their instincts we would at least enjoy watching, even if we are losing. We have some great players but they are shackled by the outmoded and predictable game plan.

 

[Haddaway]

Regardless of where we finish, top eight or not, most people would probably be happy to see the team allowed to play instinctively and be entertaining to watch. It's the boring robotic (and unsuccessful) game plan that we have grown to hate. If the coach changes up the game plan and lets the players follow their instincts we would at least enjoy watching, even if we are losing. We have some great players but they are shackled by the outmoded and predictable game plan.

Yep and I get all that and agree. All Im saying is that I think we will make the 8. A lot of people are writing us off already, just like last year. For as shit as it is watching us I always feel comfortable knowing that we will make the eight, the guy knows how to make the finals. Whether we will be a contender or will it be pretty are other questions.

And NO I am not saying I enjoy just making the eight, I want to win. Just not about to jump on the "we will struggle to amke the 8" bandwagon. Look at all the seasons he's had, I dont think we have ever been in the situation where we have to win 5 of the last 6, or something like that. We have always been safe and then stumbled into the finals. Like this year we were safe a month out really, we just shit our pants after that.

 

[Mr Invisible]

des is not stupid ( we hope ), he will make the changes and we have the roster to win and be very competetive. he surely knows if he doesnt change he is gone.

and this is what I don't get about those "burning Rome" at the moment.

We've heard it once, twice, a thousand times on here.

We get it .. "Fuck Des", "Fuck Hasbeen", "Dodgy Des", the list goes on.

A multi premiership winning coach with a longstanding history of success doesn't just toss in the towel and go "fuck it" when things get hard. Dessies past success shows he is tenacious and will WANT results next year. That's not a maybe, that's a definite.

Coaches just don't fail to fire one year and fade into obscurity... at least not of the calibre that Des is.

I'm confident 2017 we will see a different team, because we have the roster and the ability on paper (which is what gave fans the shits).. it's about getting it done on field.

I still believe that half our issue was the players (read halves) being largely clueless and failing to take control last year.

 

[CrittaMagic69]

and this is what I don't get about those "burning Rome" at the moment.

We've heard it once, twice, a thousand times on here.

We get it .. "Fuck Des", "Fuck Hasbeen", "Dodgy Des", the list goes on.

A multi premiership winning coach with a longstanding history of success doesn't just toss in the towel and go "fuck it" when things get hard. Dessies past success shows he is tenacious and will WANT results next year. That's not a maybe, that's a definite.

Coaches just don't fail to fire one year and fade into obscurity... at least not of the calibre that Des is.

I'm confident 2017 we will see a different team, because we have the roster and the ability on paper (which is what gave fans the shits).. it's about getting it done on field.

I still believe that half our issue was the players (read halves) being largely clueless and failing to take control last year.

HOW THE FUCK CAN HALVES TAKE CONTROL WITHIN THESE STRUCTURES? PLEASE TELL ME FFS

 

[Kempsey Dog]

2016 position: 7th
Predicted 2017 position: 8th
Key Player: Moses Mbye
2017 Head coach: Des Hasler

What a season 2016 was for the boys from Belmore. A year of drama which has had it all. Board members resigning, staff being shown the door, head coach put on notice and a 7th place finish to end an underwhelming season.

With the Bulldogs faithful questioning where the magic has gone, it is clear that with a 12 year premiership drought the fans are hungry for success. The 2016 season saw the club struggle to build any sort of pressure and grind out the tough games. They scored fewer points than any of the teams in the top 8 and only managed to force 29 repeat sets. The season finished with 14 wins and 10 losses as the club only managed to score 91 tries whilst conceding 78.

Inconsistency was the story of the 2016 season. Long gone are the days of the 'Dogs Of War'. In their place are a Bulldogs side merely making up the numbers following their elimination final loss to Penrith. Boasting one of the most lethal forward packs in the game, there was no reason why the Bulldogs could not have been real premiership contenders.

As the preparations for the 2017 season have begun, the Bulldogs faithful have every right to fear what is yet to come. Premiership winning coach Des Hasler seems to have lost his punch with the dogs lacking spark in attack. The 1-6-7-9 combination failed to guide the club to a top four finish. With Josh Reynolds, Michael Lichaa and Will Hopoate all coming off contract at the end of 2017, there is a big question mark over who will lead the club into the future. Having signed playmaker Josh Cleeland from Cronulla and young dummy half Zac Woolford from Canberra, the pressure is building on the current Bulldogs spine which has failed to provide the same clinical control shown by the more experienced playmakers in the NRL.

It is relatively unknown what lies ahead in 2017 but one thing is for certain, the boys from Belmore are set for another long year. Everyone is under pressure to perform with Moses Mbye emerging as a key player next season. His ability to lead the team around the park will either make or break the Bulldogs' season.

Head coach Des Hasler is in need of results. With his future hanging in the balance he must somehow guide the club out of their form slump and help them become one of the competition's heavyweight sides. With no big name recruit as of yet and a disappointing season in 2016, the Bulldogs are looking at an 8th place finish in 2017.


2017 Gains: Tom Carr (St George Illawarra Dragons), Josh Cleeland (Cronulla Sharks), Richard Kennar (Melbourne Storm), Brenko Lee (Canberra Raiders), Rhyse Martin (Townsville Blackhawks), Francis Tualau (Melbourne Storm), Zac Woolford (Canberra Raiders)

2017 Losses: Tim Browne (Penrith Panthers), Dane Chisholm (Bradford Bulls), Graham Clark (released), Shaun Lane (Manly Sea Eagles), Lamar Liolevave (released), Makahesi Makatoa (Canberra Raiders), Lyndon McGrady (released), Jarrod McInally (QLD Cup), Pat O'Hanlon (retired), Sam Perrett (retired), Curtis Rona (Rugby Union), Tony Williams (Cronulla Sharks)

Wasn't G.Clark supposed to be that heaps good forward we signed from QLD

 

[khan]

and this is what I don't get about those "burning Rome" at the moment.

We've heard it once, twice, a thousand times on here.

We get it .. "Fuck Des", "Fuck Hasbeen", "Dodgy Des", the list goes on.

A multi premiership winning coach with a longstanding history of success doesn't just toss in the towel and go "fuck it" when things get hard. Dessies past success shows he is tenacious and will WANT results next year. That's not a maybe, that's a definite.

Coaches just don't fail to fire one year and fade into obscurity... at least not of the calibre that Des is.

I'm confident 2017 we will see a different team, because we have the roster and the ability on paper (which is what gave fans the shits).. it's about getting it done on field.

I still believe that half our issue was the players (read halves) being largely clueless and failing to take control last year.

Load of crap brother. He's had 5yrs to establish something he's established a fkn mess. In all my time I've supported the dogs this has got to be the worst period by a bloody mile!

 

[The Dogfather]

Wasn't G.Clark supposed to be that heaps good forward we signed from QLD

Supposed to be but now released. Obviously not as good as the club hoped he would be. Havn't heard much about him so can't really comment but I don't think he is a loss to our club.

 

[Chicharito]

Fairly generous assessment for season 2017 tbh. Based on the team that we have at the moment and the piss weak recruitment drive that the club has put together we won't be anywhere near the top 8.

 

[doggieaaron]

Well finish 12th