News Flanagan faces career-defining year as Barrett’s big-name recruits mark new era

[jof]

It’s a new era for the Bulldogs. After three painful seasons, things are finally starting to fall into place — but it hasn’t come without mass change.

Dean Pay stepped down in July and a week later Trent Barrett was unveiled as the new coach from 2021 through to at least the end of 2023.

Barrett began a clean-out of not only the playing group but the coaching staff too. Veteran forward and a former vice-captain of the club, Aiden Tolman, was among the players who were informed they wouldn’t be re-signed beyond 2020. And as for the coaching staff, well it’s now entirely different to last year with the likes of highly regarded assistant coach David Furner and high performance coach Dan Ferris being recruited to the club.

The changes have even gone beyond the field. Chair Lynne Anderson along with two directors were forced to step down in October and last week CEO Andrew Hill also exited the club.

There may be some unrest away from the field as the club now hunts down it’s next CEO, but on the paddock it’s smooth sailing.

Thanks to some wise roster decisions, the Bulldogs head into the 2021 with the potential to make the finals for the first time since 2016.

But with new faces comes new expectations and the Bulldogs faithful are going to want to see a big improvement on last season where the team finished second last.

THE STRENGTH

New recruits

Sure, a club’s new recruits are always going to strengthen the team but in the Bulldogs’ case, they’ve gone from a bottom two finish to a club that could genuinely push for a top eight spot. That’s due to some seriously impressive recruitment from coach Trent Barrett and the people around him.

The first domino fell when Nick Cotric signed last July. Then came the likes of Kyle Flanagan, Corey Waddell, Jack Hetherington and last but certainly not least, Corey Allan.

Nick Cotric signed with the Bulldogs on a three-year deal. Picture Supplied.Source: News Corp Australia
Both Cotric and Allan have earned State of Origin debuts and are well on their way to being stars of the future, while Flanagan has huge potential and Waddell and Hetherington will reinvigorate the forward pack.

The key thing here is, in the past the Bulldogs have fielded some players who may not even get a look in at rival clubs. All of these new recruits are genuine first graders, all of them either held a regular NRL spot or continuously challenged for one at their previous clubs.

THE PRESSURE IS ON

Jeremy Marshall-King and Sione Katoa

With a reported $4 million to spend for 2022 due to 15 players coming off contract, Barrett is spoiled with choice and salary cap freedom. He’s already locked in Josh Addo-Carr and Matt Burton to join this year’s recruits so the halves and backline are forming nicely alongside an already competitive forward pack.

But the one position that will be at the top of the recruitment list is a hooker.

Marshall-King started 2020 as the club’s first choice hooker with Sione Katoa starting the season off in NSW Cup. Marshall-King showed moments of brilliance but the 25-year-old hasn’t yet proved he can consistently play like that for an entire season.

Jeremy Marshall-King’s contract expires at the end of the season. Picture: Alix SweeneySource: News Corp Australia
Later in the year Katoa joined the bench and at one point took over Marshall-King as starting hooker. However, he didn’t do enough either to pledge a case to be considered the club’s long-term rake.

No doubt, Barrett will be in the market for a world class hooker and with Kiwi’s No.9 Brandon Smith on a the hunt for a new club in 2022, you’d expect the Bulldogs have already started pursuing him.

Marshall-King and Katoa are both off-contract after the 2021 season and providing Barrett lands a new hooker, it’s likely the club won’t keep them both. It means they have one season to put it all on the line and prove why they should be kept beyond 2021.

THE RISING STAR

Corey Allan

He’s not exactly a new kid on the block but with the No.1 jersey all but laid out for him, 2021 is shaping up to be Allan’s biggest season yet.

After signing with the Bulldogs, the 22-year-old said he’d like to play fullback — even the Rabbitohs’ head of football, Mark Ellison said it’s Allan’s “best position.” His path to the No.1 jersey was blocked at South Sydney but it isn’t at Canterbury-Bankstown.

While Will Hopoate did a good job at the back, the club has been longing for a specialist fullback and someone who can grow there — that’s exactly what Allan can provide in 2021.

Corey Allan at Bulldogs training. Pic: Bulldogs DigitalSource: Supplied
He will be challenged in 2022 though when Josh Addo-Carr arrives. The Foxx has previously expressed interest in trying his hand at fullback so that will keep Allan on his toes and make it even more crucial that he stamps his dominance at the back this season.

THE UNLUCKY ONES

Ofahiki Ogden

What a time for Bulldogs fans. There’s genuine competition for spots with NRL quality players, unfortunately, a chance of missing out. This could be the case for 24-year-old prop Ofahiki Ogden.

He was really solid last year, a standout in all 11 games he played. But with the addition of Jack Hetherington and Adam Elliott returning from injury — potentially shifting Luke Thompson to prop — it’s going to be hard to squeeze Ogden in to the 17.

In saying that, he’ll keep the pressure on the forwards to perform and could very well leapfrog Thompson if the English recruit doesn’t perform in the early rounds, after what we must admit was a bit of a disappointing debut season in 2020 from the Super League sensation.

IT’S A BIG YEAR FOR...

Trent Barrett and Kyle Flanagan

Barrett has made all the right moves since taking over as head coach. He’s recruited extremely well — both players and support staff — and it’s instilled some new-found hope amongst fans. Because he’s laid such a good platform, expectations have formed and because he was continuously credited for transforming the Panthers’ attack, it’s expected he’ll improve the Bulldogs’ dramatically.

On top of that, he had a tense exit from his last head coaching role with Manly, which left many pundits and fans believing he just isn’t fit to lead a team.

The 2021 season is not only his debut season with the Bulldogs, but it’s also his chance to not only build on the terrific foundation he’s laid at Belmore, while also proving any doubters wrong at the same time.

Flanagan also has a big season ahead. After being chewed up and spat out by the Roosters there’s no doubt his confidence is down. He’s been handed an opportunity to develop as a half without the pressure of making finals at all costs. If he can bounce back from the disappointing end to his time at the Roosters it will do wonders for his confidence as a chief playmaker — and he too gets a chance to prove any doubters wrong.

BULLDOGS’ BEST 17

1. Corey Allan

2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak

3. Nick Cotric

4. Will Hopoate

5. Nick Meaney

6. Brandon Wakeham

7. Kyle Flanagan

8. Jack Hetherington

9. Jeremy Marshall-King

10. Luke Thompson

11. Josh Jackson

12. Raymond Faitala-Mariner

13. Adam Elliott

14. Jake Averillo

15. Renouf Atoni

16. Corey Waddell

17. Dylan Napa

2021 squad: Corey Allen (2023), Jake Averillo (2023), Dean Britt (2021), Nick Cotric (2024) Christian Crichton (2021), Adam Elliott (2023), Raymond Faitala-Mariner (2022), Kyle Flanagan (2023), Jack Hetherington (2022), Will Hopoate (2021), Josh Jackson (2023), Sione Katoa (2021), Lachlan Lewis (2021), Jeremy Marshall-King (2021), Nick Meaney (2021), Dylan Napa (2021), Ofahiki Ogden (2021), Jayden Okunbor (2021), Chris Smith (2021), Joe Stimson (2022), Renouf To’omaga (2021), Corey Waddell (2023), Brandon Wakeham (2022), Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (2022) Luke Thompson (2023)

2021 gains: Jack Hetherington (Panthers) Nick Cotric (Raiders), Corey Waddell (Sea Eagles), Kyle Flanagan (Roosters), Corey Allan (Rabbitohs)

2021 losses: Sauaso Sue (Knights), Reimis Smith (Storm), Kerrod Holland (retirement) Kieran Foran (Sea Eagles), Marcelo Montoya (Warriors), Aiden Tolman (Sharks), Jack Cogger (Huddersfield), Tim Lafai, Isaiah Tass (both unsigned)

Flanagan faces career-defining year as Barrett’s big-name recruits mark new era: Bulldogs Best 17

Flanagan faces career-defining year as Barrett’s big-name recruits mark new era: Bulldogs Best 17

www.foxsports.com.au

 

[2144superman]

No pressure lol

 

[JayBee]

Not a bad read - the part about Ogden leaves a lot to be desired though. He will be playing in the early rounds, with Thompsons suspension, and could cement a spot with a solid performance.

BTW - the writer of this article is an unabashed doggies fan.

 

[Mitch Connor]

Don’t think Ogden is much chop tbh. I hope I’m wrong but bloke is the titanic in defence, can’t remember him throwing an offload either.

Fualalo was a much better player from what I’ve seen of both.

 

[alchemist]

I can live with that projected 17 but I would start Averillo and have Wakeham off the bench and I would see whether Wakeham can handle stints at dummy half

 

[2144superman]

With Wakeham now looking like he's been on th3 same supplements as Gallen and Co were, I'm happy to give him first crack at #6

 

[CrittaMagic69]

Don’t think Ogden is much chop tbh. I hope I’m wrong but bloke is the titanic in defence, can’t remember him throwing an offload either.

Fualalo was a much better player from what I’ve seen of both.

I think Stimson is ahead of him in the pecking order.

 

[eman & the Utai SLAM]

I can live with that projected 17 but I would start Averillo and have Wakeham off the bench and I would see whether Wakeham can handle stints at dummy half

Yep agree, we can also now see if Averillo and Wakeham become gun first graders under Barretts coaching.

its the most excited ive been since 2014!

Go Doggies!

 

[silva]

Think our best signing is David furner. He will do wonders for our defence

 

[2144superman]

Think our best signing is David furner. He will do wonders for our defence

Better then Baz? No way

 

[fro]

Think our best signing is David furner. He will do wonders for our defence

Seriously, what planet you on.

 

[NPC83]

Our defence for the most part wasn’t too bad considering the lack of experience we trotted out. But we couldn’t score any points. Hopefully that is set to change. At least start building the blocks for a big 2022.

 

[bradtalo]

Don’t think Ogden is much chop tbh. I hope I’m wrong but bloke is the titanic in defence, can’t remember him throwing an offload either.

Fualalo was a much better player from what I’ve seen of both.

I thought Ogden was our best forward last year after RFM. He was running the ball really hard in attack especially bringing it back from kick-offs (made Napa look like a cream puff) and he was hitting harder in defence than any of our other forwards. If he starts the same this year I think he should remain a starting prop IMO. It's rarer these days than what most people think to have a player who can both run hard and tackle hard. It's usually either one or the other.

 

[ChimpNugget]

I’m thinking if Barrett persists with Napa coming on off the bench with short bursts he will get back to his “best”. He was never a starting front rower, throw him on for 20-30 mins, let him do his thing and pull him back off for the high motor forwards. That was when he was most damaging at Easts, and that was what got him into the QLD side.

Not saying that means he shouldn’t be let go at the end of his contract but making best of a bad situation with him.

 

[CrittaMagic69]

I thought Ogden was our best forward last year after RFM. He was running the ball really hard in attack especially bringing it back from kick-offs (made Napa look like a cream puff) and he was hitting harder in defence than any of our other forwards. If he starts the same this year I he should remain a starting prop IMO

He won't be anywhere near starting prop, his workrate is abysmal and his defence is poor.

 

[Psycho Doggie]

Another good article by @Darciemcd. Not sure I agree about Ogden, but then, she left him out of the best 17 at the bottom of the article so whatever he did last year wasn't enough in her eyes either.

Other than that all the points raised are on the money, there is no doubt pressure on Baz and Flange, the pressure of expectation. They seem to be focusing hard on getting the systems in place, which is about the best thing you can do when you know there will be pressure coming on, get things in place and then stick to the systems. Looking forward to seeing what Allan can bring this season.

 

[Novdoggie]

Roll up, Roll up!!!!!

Player managers of the best available players will be on our door step all year knowing we have $4 million to spend.

Personally I don't care who goes. We need a full clean out which Baz seems to be doing. Build a new culture and this can be the start of a new era.

 

[Psycho Doggie]

I thought Ogden was our best forward last year after RFM. He was running the ball really hard in attack especially bringing it back from kick-offs (made Napa look like a cream puff) and he was hitting harder in defence than any of our other forwards. If he starts the same this year I he should remain a starting prop IMO

Yeah he can manage about 3 decent hitups in a match. And now and then he hits a guy in defence. But that is about it, he doesn't bring enough in his game, and what he is good at he can't manage for long because he is too unfit. When he got a chance to impress last season too often as first man going into a tackle while defending near our own line he tried to put a hit on instead of wrapping the guy up, bounced off, and put pressure on the blokes either side of him, sometimes resulting in a try.

One-dimensional, not intelligent, and lazy. He can fix these things by adding a couple of things to his game, taking the advice of coaches and senior players, and putting in at training (multiple reports say he is lazy at training). But he's had a couple of seasons to do this and nothing yet.

 

[ChimpNugget]

Yeah he can manage about 3 decent hitups in a match. And now and then he hits a guy in defence. But that is about it, he doesn't bring enough in his game, and what he is good at he can't manage for long because he is too unfit. When he got a chance to impress last season too often as first man going into a tackle while defending near our own line he tried to put a hit on instead of wrapping the guy up, bounced off, and put pressure on the blokes either side of him, sometimes resulting in a try.

One-dimensional, not intelligent, and lazy. He can fix these things by adding a couple of things to his game, taking the advice of coaches and senior players, and putting in at training (multiple reports say he is lazy at training). But he's had a couple of seasons to do this and nothing yet.

I was watching him run at the open training session and he was really really struggling. I wouldn’t say lazy but just obviously unfit in comparison, which is understandable as he’s such a big guy. Blokes like JMK and Elliot were really pushing the less fit guys in the team too which was good.

I think if (like most of the team) he can turn around his fitness he can turn into a weapon. Needs to develop an offload for mine because he’s a handful to get to the ground/slow down. If he drags in 2 or 3 defenders, and pops the ball out the back he’s creating a lot of disjointedness in the defensive line. Right now I think he’s just on the cusp of the 17, but Barrett has expressed the potential he sees in him and Renouf. So, I hope to see him get a run.

 

[Psycho Doggie]

I was watching him run at the open training session and he was really really struggling. I wouldn’t say lazy but just obviously unfit in comparison, which is understandable as he’s such a big guy. Blokes like JMK and Elliot were really pushing the less fit guys in the team too which was good.

I think if (like most of the team) he can turn around his fitness he can turn into a weapon. Needs to develop an offload for mine but right now I think he’s just on the cusp of the 17.

When he runs hard he is damaging, and it was noticeable on a few occasions that the team could get on the front foot after one of his runs. The problem for Ogden is that he doesn't do it enough, and he doesn't really offer anything else at this stage. Also, dunno if this is just me, but I noticed Renouf doing damaging hitups more often, so given the choice between those two at this stage I'm going with Renouf.

I agree with you, he could be a weapon with those improvements, though I'd add he needs to make better defensive choices as well.