Canterbury Bulldogs star Brett Morris happy at fullback for as long as Des Hasler wants

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c-b-b

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BRETT Morris could find himself in the Bulldogs’ No.1 jersey on a regular basis should Will Hopoate not have a change of heart about playing Sundays, and the club misses out on James Tedesco.

Hopoate trained at Belmore on Wednesday as he nears a return from the fractured eye socket he suffered in round two.

But Canterbury officials and Hopoate’s management are still to decide if he will make himself available on Sundays, which means Morris will spend a lot more time at fullback.


After Morris’ performance on Good Friday, most Bulldogs fans will be hoping coach Des Hasler sticks with him ahead of Hopoate even when he’s fit.

Hopoate has a clause included in his contract that allowed him to skip Sunday games for spiritual reasons.

It is understood Hopoate’s hopes of securing a new deal could be harmed if he persists with making Sundays off-limits.


Bulldogs veteran Brett Morris has been in strong form. Picture: Gregg Porteous

At the very least the Bulldogs would not be prepared to outlay top dollar for Hopoate if he was to miss up to half a dozen games out of a possible 24 in a regular season.

Had Hopoate been fit, he would have been forced to make a decision with the Dogs to play Wests Tigers this Sunday at ANZ Stadium.

Three more Sunday games await, including a round 11 blockbuster against the Sydney Roosters next month and Penrith in round 13.


Will Hopoate is close to making a comeback from injury. Picture: Phil Hillyard

“It’s one of those things where the first thing we’ve wanted is for Will to get back on the field after a fractured eye socket,’’ Canterbury CEO Raelene Castle told The Daily Telegraph.

“Then we will meet with Will’s management to have discussions about playing Sundays. There’s been no final determination as of yet.’’

In the meantime, Morris, who shifted to the wing when Hopoate arrived at the start of last year, has provided plenty at fullback the past fortnight in two games Canterbury have won.

And should Tedesco ignore a whopping deal to join the Bulldogs, Morris, 30, could be the fullback for the long haul. He is already signed for next season.

“I don’t know what my best position is, I’ve always been a firm believe in doing what’s best for the side,’’ Morris said on Wednesday.

“I’ve never cared where I’ve played.

“(Playing fullback) gives me more of a chance to be around the middle and sniff around our big boys. Obviously they’re good guys who get good go forward, and it gives me an opportunity to be around them, look for the offload, and help create quicker play-the-balls by me attracting other layers off them.

“I can also put myself in the position where I can get the ball and do a job for the team.’’

Morris said had he been a little younger and desperate to force his way into representative teams, he would have appreciated the luxury of focusing on a specialist position, but he was happy to lob where Des wanted.

Morris had a healthy respect for Tedesco, who was even easier to enjoy watching because he was a New South Welshman.

“He’s a representative player, a young star, it’s outstanding what he does for that Tigers side, and every time he gets the ball he’s a threat,’’ Morris said.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...s/news-story/c9316ad44d2363584017fb313bf86a86
 

CaptainJackson

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Bmoz = our rockstar fullback

Him sniffing around for an offload creates massive defensive doubts in the opposition

We don't need Tabasco sauce
 

CaptainJackson

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He'll be fine guys don't worry

The only reason he broke down before was brookvales sandpit in 2015
 
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Z-Dizzle

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He'll be fine guys don't worry

The only reason he broke down before was brookvales sandpit in 2015
He had a moment last week where it looked like he was going to come off from a knee injury. I can't see him doing 10 games in a row at fullback.
 

Bob dog

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Tell any club you don't do Sundays and your out the gate mate.
NRL is a cultural war, Bulldogs dont take shit any day, shame cause he was eyed off as the next big thing when he first hit first grade, we remember.
 
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Raysie

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Damn when he's injury-free he's a world-beater at Fullback. Just so sad we signed him a fair few years too late.
 

Bob dog

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Bretts knees are a bit lanky and wen he stands his ground can twist, it happens every year.
Why can't Hoppa pray in the morning and play in the arvo?
No God could begrudge that, where the fuk does it say it?
 

Baby Blues

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Hoppa sat out a finals game because it was on a Sunday. What's changed for him spiritually in less than a year to now be available? $$$ & the unemployment line as no other board would sign off on such a silly clause?
 
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Z-Dizzle

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His church came out and said he'd be benefitting the church more by playing on sundays didn't they? That would be a pretty big motivator for him and the cash he can earn them is a big motivator for them.
 

Raysie

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Jesus may forgive Hopoate, but I never will after last year's Finals game against the Panthers. Our most important game of the year and he wasn't there.

The image of Bmoz going down filling in for this pretender in that game is burned in my mind forever. We were in that game until he got injured.
 

CrittaMagic69

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No one doubts Bmoz in playing fullback. The only issue with him is staying fit and not breaking down. LOL
He also can't pass a ball. Wouldn't be that big of a problem if we had 2 skilled halves rather than 1 next season.
 

jasonsmith1994

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IVE BEEN SAYING PUT BMOZ AT FULLBACK ALL YEAR BUT MUST STAY HEALTHY,HOPPA IS CAPABLE TO HAVE SIMILAR EFFECT BUT THE SUNDAY THING IS TOTAL BS,VERY HAPPY WITH THE FORAN SIGNING AT 26 YEARS OLD,THAT SHOULD PLEASE ANDREW JOHNS TO NOW TIP THE BULLDOGS
 

CrittaMagic69

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IVE BEEN SAYING PUT BMOZ AT FULLBACK ALL YEAR BUT MUST STAY HEALTHY,HOPPA IS CAPABLE TO HAVE SIMILAR EFFECT BUT THE SUNDAY THING IS TOTAL BS,VERY HAPPY WITH THE FORAN SIGNING AT 26 YEARS OLD,THAT SHOULD PLEASE ANDREW JOHNS TO NOW TIP THE BULLDOGS
What do you take before you post?
 

boggie23

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He is our best fullback because he is the fastest at the club (fastest back anyway). So good seeing him get a pass from graham and break the line (hoppa goes 5 meters before getting tackled).

To be fair to hoppa he would make a decent centre or winger. Strong ball runner. He is a safe fullback but his lack of speed doesn't help in attack or defence.
 
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