Opinion Poor decisions off field worse than on field performance

[SoWhat]

Looks like painful lessons from the past that has haunted dog fans for years when the bulldogs then board decided Jonathan Thurston was not good enough for the club, have not been learnt. When we had the chance to sign Mitchel Moses (who genuinely wanted to join the dogs) the Bulldogs Board threw all the money towards Sharon Woods, of course the rest is history. Did I hear someone say we need a decent halve? Sorry peoples the eel has slipped away.

 

[Juicydog]

lol

 

[KLil]

They didn't buy Sharon, they bought Foran.

 

[SoWhat]

They didn't buy Sharon, they bought Foran.

Wind the clock back the four tiger players that were on the market we opted for Sharon.

 

[Horse]

Wind the clock back the four tiger players that were on the market we opted for Sharon.

You’re right mate it was a shocking call. We could’ve had Tedesco and Moses but Des didn’t like the Moses aspect of the deal.

I think we ended up topping up Mbye’s contract and signing Foran instead.

 

[Pavdogg82]

But remember when Sharon Woods had the 'Matilda' haircut? That was worth signing him alone! The penalties and errors he made to throw the games were just bonuses

 

[sgodllubsti]

that was brought about more by their manager moses trying to screw the tigers, same crap he tried last year with the broncos players but they refused to budge

Wind the clock back the four tiger players that were on the market we opted for Sharon.

 

[GrogDog]

No to mention letting Cook go and now we can't seem to sign anyone at all.

 

[Magic Arrow]

No to mention letting Cook go and now we can't seem to sign anyone at all.

The Cook decision burns me more than the Thurston one. At least we had an Anasta when we let go of Thurston. We let Cook go for Lichaa

 

[Suave]

I've honestly never been as disinterested and pessimistic about our chances than I am right now. Not just in how we're playing but how we've positioned ourselves moving forward. I hate being negative about all this and I'll always support the club but I know A LOT of Bulldogs supporters who feel the same way. The club has been so badly mismanaged over the years it borders on criminal. Our recruitment for the most part has been a joke. Can anyone really tell me adding Luke Thompson to this squad makes us anywhere near a finals contender?

Unfortunately the one crucial off field decision post-Hasler/Dib was always going to be hiring the right coach. That's who would define our playing style, our culture and our ability to attract players. It was a bad hire, there's no two ways about it. Lovely bloke sure, but in way over his head. What I think the club is really struggling to understand is they can't afford to be in 're-build mode' for 5 years. Sure the die-hards (like us on the forum) will still be there. But what about everyone else? Sport is entertainment. And there are a myriad of options around for people to spend not only their money but their attention on rather than the Bulldogs. It's an absolute slog to watch us play and it's been that way for at least 3-4 years. You can't tell me that hasn't done damage to the brand. Do you really think the next generation of Bulldog supporters are being inspired to follow the club because of the excitement of watching Tolman get it on the 4th? To watch us struggle to score 2 tries in 80 minutes? None of this is new. It's been happening for years and years. And I've got no faith that our leadership is showing enough urgency to fix it.

 

[DinkumDog]

I've honestly never been as disinterested and pessimistic about our chances than I am right now. Not just in how we're playing but how we've positioned ourselves moving forward. I hate being negative about all this and I'll always support the club but I know A LOT of Bulldogs supporters who feel the same way. The club has been so badly mismanaged over the years it borders on criminal. Our recruitment for the most part has been a joke. Can anyone really tell me adding Luke Thompson to this squad makes us anywhere near a finals contender?

Unfortunately the one crucial off field decision post-Hasler/Dib was always going to be hiring the right coach. That's who would define our playing style, our culture and our ability to attract players. It was a bad hire, there's no two ways about it. Lovely bloke sure, but in way over his head. What I think the club is really struggling to understand is they can't afford to be in 're-build mode' for 5 years. Sure the die-hards (like us on the forum) will still be there. But what about everyone else? Sport is entertainment. And there are a myriad of options around for people to spend not only their money but their attention on rather than the Bulldogs. It's an absolute slog to watch us play and it's been that way for at least 3-4 years. You can't tell me that hasn't done damage to the brand. Do you really think the next generation of Bulldog supporters are being inspired to follow the club because of the excitement of watching Tolman get it on the 4th? To watch us struggle to score 2 tries in 80 minutes? None of this is new. It's been happening for years and years. And I've got no faith that our leadership is showing enough urgency to fix it.

Yes mate, it hurts and you've highlighted some good points.

Just a couple of corrections though: it won't simply be a matter of adding Thompson to this squad. We currently have 18 of 30 spots locked in for 2021 - so of the 12 remaining, it's fair to say that probably half of the that number from the existing squad won't be renewed.
Those spots will be taken by other 2021 recruits to be unveiled later in the year and perhaps promoting a couple of juniors too.

Secondly, Pay was actually hired by Dib. He was extended for 12 months by the Anderson board only.

You're right about your sport/entertainment point and how people spend their money. The club has data on this, I watched Andrew Hill present some of this data at a member function last year.
They're very aware of how it all ties together - get the right squad (and perhaps coach, though this was not discussed), get the results heading in the right direction - and the crowds, memberships and sponsorships follow.
It might look like nothing is being done, but I don't believe that's the case just because it's a pragmatic approach and there's no running commentary on it.

Let's see how things shape up for 2021 before getting too far ahead of ourselves.
Unfortunately that might mean some more lean results in 2020 - it feels like 2008 all over again in that respect, but the ship simply has to turn. Hang in there.

 

[Suave]

Yes mate, it hurts and you've highlighted some good points.

Just a couple of corrections though: it won't simply be a matter of adding Thompson to this squad. We currently have 18 of 30 spots locked in for 2021 - so of the 12 remaining, it's fair to say that probably half of the that number from the existing squad won't be renewed.
Those spots will be taken by other 2021 recruits to be unveiled later in the year and perhaps promoting a couple of juniors too.

Secondly, Pay was actually hired by Dib. He was extended for 12 months by the Anderson board only.

You're right about your sport/entertainment point and how people spend their money. The club has data on this, I watched Andrew Hill present some of this data at a member function last year.
They're very aware of how it all ties together - get the right squad (and perhaps coach, though this was not discussed), get the results heading in the right direction - and the crowds, memberships and sponsorships follow.
It might look like nothing is being done, but I don't believe that's the case just because it's a pragmatic approach and there's no running commentary on it.

Let's see how things shape up for 2021 before getting too far ahead of ourselves.
Unfortunately that might mean some more lean results in 2020 - it feels like 2008 all over again in that respect, but the ship simply has to turn. Hang in there.

Sorry you are right on Pay initially being signed by Dib (how could I forget, it was a desperation hire to bring back bulldog DNA). I wish I was optimistic about 2021 recruiting, we'll see how that plays out but we've missed the boat on a lot of talent.

I'll be supporting regardless mate, don't worry about that. I do worry about the future of this club though.

 

[Scoooby]

No to mention letting Cook go and now we can't seem to sign anyone at all.

It’s definitely becoming a BIG problem !!

 

[DinkumDog]

Sorry you are right on Pay initially being signed by Dib (how could I forget, it was a desperation hire to bring back bulldog DNA). I wish I was optimistic about 2021 recruiting, we'll see how that plays out but we've missed the boat on a lot of talent.

I'll be supporting regardless mate, don't worry about that. I do worry about the future of this club though.

Yeah, on the surface it does look that way re: recruits, but I still believe there's something we don't yet know.
Some will throw rainbows and others say naive and whatever. Water off a ducks back.
Let's see how it plays out - I'll wear it if I'm wrong.
Good on you for staying true - we all want us to return to where we belong.

 

[ash160]

Even the signing of a player like Meaney. He lacks size and strength, is easily brought to ground. Not sure he’s going to develop into anything special

 

[eman & the Utai SLAM]

He Guys, dont forget we could've signed Tedesco but paid to get dessies mate Foran for 1.2M! got sharon then paid to get rid of him to cronulla. lost klemmer because of it too right? then got napa to replace him.
cant believe we were even rumoured to be in the market for mccullough lol.

how about trying flanagan as a head coach?

i am SO FRUSTRATED WATCHING DOGGIES GAMES.

 

[_G-Dog_]

We are the charitable Dogs.. giving our stars away to other teams..

Funny even the Roosters are happy having both Morris boys on their books at momemt.. But we wanted to let both go to look to the future a few years back..

 

[Blue&whiteAxe]

Looks like painful lessons from the past that has haunted dog fans for years when the bulldogs then board decided Jonathan Thurston was not good enough for the club, have not been learnt. When we had the chance to sign Mitchel Moses (who genuinely wanted to join the dogs) the Bulldogs Board threw all the money towards Sharon Woods, of course the rest is history. Did I hear someone say we need a decent halve? Sorry peoples the eel has slipped away.

Where did the eel go?

 

[Kempsey Dog]

Even the signing of a player like Meaney. He lacks size and strength, is easily brought to ground. Not sure he’s going to develop into anything special

He's being forced to play wing bro... He's a fullback... Wingers need to be big these days, or have absolute class inside them eg Addo-Carr. He's on a hiding to nothing thanks to an actual winger DWZ wrongfully being selected ahead of him.

 

[DogsOfWar1704]

Woods came to walk through of belmore with Tedesco, Hasler had 2 jerseys hanging with their names on them. Apparently teddy said he will sign if we sign Mitch Moses aswell, Hasler said no because they just signed Foran.
Imagine if we had teddy and Moses now!