by Matthew O'Neill (Senior Editor)
There's been all sorts of classical rumours floating around about Brent Sherwin and now is the time to set the record straight.
Sherwin started the season inconsistently and was disappointing last year except for a small handful of matches. Sherwin proved in 2004 that he could dominate big matches and in three successive weeks finished on top of Matt Orford, Craig Gower and Brett Finch as the Bulldogs won the Premiership.
Bulldogs coach Steve Folkes believed after Round 3 that Sherwin needed a few weeks in Premier League to sort out his confidence and work on the basics that made Sherwin an impressive halfback and an important part of the Bulldogs setup. Sherwin had a solid Round 2 match against the Wests Tigers but his performances against Penrith and Newcastle were disappointing and it appeared the game plans in both weren't properly carried out.
Unfortunately for Sherwin he broke his hand in Round 5 and since than all sorts of rumours from all angles have been murmoured around. Sherwin is in fact injured and he wants to stay at the club contray to what all the reports are saying. Sherwin is in no way faking his injury as some moronics have been suggesting and he wants to be a part of the Bulldogs where he is a local junior and has progressed to being a premiership-winning halfback for the club.
Sherwin has two years remaining on his contract following this year and has made it clear that he wants to regain his first grade position. It's easy to break contracts these days but with the salary cap rules in place, the Bulldogs *if* they wanted to release Sherwin would have to find a club that would pay the full amount or it would be loaded against the the Bulldogs salary cap.
The absence of Sherwin will be felt this weekend with Hazem El Masri unlikely to be available due to a hamstring injury. Sherwin is a fine goal kicker and would be a first string kicker at virtually any other club except for the Bulldogs due to the presence of El Masri. The Bulldogs will have to find a goal kicker in the absence of both El Masri and Sherwin.
Another challenge for Sherwin will be the form displayed by rookie halves Ben Roberts and Daniel Holdsworth on the weekend. Holdsworth is slowly settling into the club and Roberts in two games has showed that he's got potential to be a good first grader. Sherwin played his best football when challenged and that's only going to be good signs for the Bulldogs when he returns.
Bulldogs fans who are supporters of Sherwin can rest easy. There is going to be no mid-season release and he'll be hungry for success when he is given the all clear from Dr Hugh Hazzard to make his return, which is expected to be either Round 11 or Round 12.
There's been all sorts of classical rumours floating around about Brent Sherwin and now is the time to set the record straight.
Sherwin started the season inconsistently and was disappointing last year except for a small handful of matches. Sherwin proved in 2004 that he could dominate big matches and in three successive weeks finished on top of Matt Orford, Craig Gower and Brett Finch as the Bulldogs won the Premiership.
Bulldogs coach Steve Folkes believed after Round 3 that Sherwin needed a few weeks in Premier League to sort out his confidence and work on the basics that made Sherwin an impressive halfback and an important part of the Bulldogs setup. Sherwin had a solid Round 2 match against the Wests Tigers but his performances against Penrith and Newcastle were disappointing and it appeared the game plans in both weren't properly carried out.
Unfortunately for Sherwin he broke his hand in Round 5 and since than all sorts of rumours from all angles have been murmoured around. Sherwin is in fact injured and he wants to stay at the club contray to what all the reports are saying. Sherwin is in no way faking his injury as some moronics have been suggesting and he wants to be a part of the Bulldogs where he is a local junior and has progressed to being a premiership-winning halfback for the club.
Sherwin has two years remaining on his contract following this year and has made it clear that he wants to regain his first grade position. It's easy to break contracts these days but with the salary cap rules in place, the Bulldogs *if* they wanted to release Sherwin would have to find a club that would pay the full amount or it would be loaded against the the Bulldogs salary cap.
The absence of Sherwin will be felt this weekend with Hazem El Masri unlikely to be available due to a hamstring injury. Sherwin is a fine goal kicker and would be a first string kicker at virtually any other club except for the Bulldogs due to the presence of El Masri. The Bulldogs will have to find a goal kicker in the absence of both El Masri and Sherwin.
Another challenge for Sherwin will be the form displayed by rookie halves Ben Roberts and Daniel Holdsworth on the weekend. Holdsworth is slowly settling into the club and Roberts in two games has showed that he's got potential to be a good first grader. Sherwin played his best football when challenged and that's only going to be good signs for the Bulldogs when he returns.
Bulldogs fans who are supporters of Sherwin can rest easy. There is going to be no mid-season release and he'll be hungry for success when he is given the all clear from Dr Hugh Hazzard to make his return, which is expected to be either Round 11 or Round 12.
