YOU’D think it would be a red rag to a Bulldog.
But Canterbury have refused to bite at the fact their once mighty footy club has almost become the afterthought in the build-up to Thursday night’s NRL season opener.
While there has been massive hype surrounding their old archrivals Parramatta, who almost everyone is tipping to be top-four contenders, the Bulldogs have barely rated a mention.
Aside from the fact most rank the Bulldogs as wooden-spoon contenders.
But asked if it annoyed him that his proud club had been almost lost in the conversation ahead of the expected sellout at Bankwest Stadium, Canterbury chief executive Andrew Hill responded like a good old ambush might just be on the horizon.
“No it doesn’t annoy us,” Hill said. “We are a club and a team that is just going about our business. We try not to listen to outside noise.
“That is definitely easier said than done at times. But we are a very tight, united group. Our expectations on ourselves are that we play to our potential.
“Yes, there are a lot more fancied teams, and yes, Parramatta may be fancied by the majority.
“We don’t worry about that. “We are going out there on Thursday to kickstart our season on a positive note.”
Hill was also adamant that despite the lack of outside respect, Canterbury won’t be easybeats this year.
“We are tough and tenacious and everyone who plays against us will know they have played a game this year,” he said.
The Bulldogs have good reason to have some healthy faith in their own ability.
While their start to last season was forgettable, they won seven of their last 10 games, including a 12-6 upset over Parramatta at Bankwest in the third-last round.
But while there is no question the Bulldogs have a really tough pack and some quality outside backs, they lack experience in the vital spine positions.
What certainly didn’t help was the injury to star playmaker Kieran Foran while he was playing for New Zealand last year.
With Foran likely to miss at least half the season, it not only takes a $1.2 million marquee player out of their roster but leaves young Lachy Lewis in charge of directing the team.
Lewis will be supported by an even younger halves partner in rookie Brandon Wakeham, 21, who is likely to get the jump on Jack Cogger.
Another issue is the future of coach Dean Pay, who comes off contract this year.
While Pay has been coaching with one arm tied behind his back given the club’s ongoing salary cap issues, the finish to last season really showed that there is a strong bond growing within.
The Bulldogs have also signed English prop Luke Thompson for next year. But the fact they haven’t made the finals since 2016 puts pressure on everyone.
“We have an enormously talented young squad,” Hill said. “Our challenge is the majority of them have only played somewhere between one and 50 firstgrade games.”
