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Canterbury have built a reputation as the Dogs of War but coach Des Hasler now wants his struggling NRL outfit to show more finesse.
The Bulldogs will be out to resuscitate their flailing top-eight ambitions when they meet Parramatta in a crucial encounter on Thursday.
To do so, Hasler admits his side has to improve an attack that has far mustered just 208 points - 10 points worse than the last-placed Wests Tigers. And while they’ve lost five of their past six games, Hasler insists there is enough confidence left in the dressing room and is banking on Josh Reynolds to lift the team out of their spiral.
“I’m pretty fortunate there’s great self-belief in this team,” Hasler said on Wednesday.
“And while they might be in a run of losses, you certainly can’t deny the effort and commitment to what they’ve been doing.
“Our biggest area of improvement that we need to work in - obviously getting Josh Reynolds back after a lengthy absence - is our execution and our finesse. “We need to capitalise on it to turn those close games into wins.” Hasler believes that with the middle of the competition ladder so tight - two wins separate the eighth-placed Eels and their 13th spot - their run needs to start now.
“Play well, create some momentum and then next week we go again. We need to go on a winning run, definitely,” Hasler said.
In contrast, Hasler conceded the Eels’ backline, led by new fullback and leading tryscorer Clint Gutherson, posed some serious attacking potency. “(Corey) Norman certainly gives them a lot of prowess, certainly with their kicking game. It’s something we’re really conscious of, particularly near our tryline,” Hasler said.
“But I’ve been particularly impressed with their back five and Clint Gutherson back at one. He’s always been a really good player but the way he’s grown this year, he’s found his position.”
The Bulldogs will be out to resuscitate their flailing top-eight ambitions when they meet Parramatta in a crucial encounter on Thursday.
To do so, Hasler admits his side has to improve an attack that has far mustered just 208 points - 10 points worse than the last-placed Wests Tigers. And while they’ve lost five of their past six games, Hasler insists there is enough confidence left in the dressing room and is banking on Josh Reynolds to lift the team out of their spiral.
“I’m pretty fortunate there’s great self-belief in this team,” Hasler said on Wednesday.
“And while they might be in a run of losses, you certainly can’t deny the effort and commitment to what they’ve been doing.
“Our biggest area of improvement that we need to work in - obviously getting Josh Reynolds back after a lengthy absence - is our execution and our finesse. “We need to capitalise on it to turn those close games into wins.” Hasler believes that with the middle of the competition ladder so tight - two wins separate the eighth-placed Eels and their 13th spot - their run needs to start now.
“Play well, create some momentum and then next week we go again. We need to go on a winning run, definitely,” Hasler said.
In contrast, Hasler conceded the Eels’ backline, led by new fullback and leading tryscorer Clint Gutherson, posed some serious attacking potency. “(Corey) Norman certainly gives them a lot of prowess, certainly with their kicking game. It’s something we’re really conscious of, particularly near our tryline,” Hasler said.
“But I’ve been particularly impressed with their back five and Clint Gutherson back at one. He’s always been a really good player but the way he’s grown this year, he’s found his position.”
