News Stand up’: Dogs’ big issue ‘reared its head again’ — and Barrett has run out of patience

[B-Train]

Thank you.

Now the real question, any halfbacks available for 23?

Fuck knows. There are less and less genuine halfbacks every year. It's a real problem with junior development.

 

[Doggystyle99]

Next trail game I hope we get some lengthy period of play with Bbo, burton and dufty in the spine… BBO made some unusual errors but I liked his enthusiasm and his ability actually draw and pass, unlike our other halves who release the ball to the next man like it’s a fucking grenade

 

[The DoggFather]

Averilo has been training there all offseason, so i think he will start with Burton. All the halves were terrible last night, Wakeham was the worst, the issue i have with BBO is he is still very young and he needs time in reserve grade. You dont want to kill him off, let him run the reserve grade team and get his confidence up.
It is only trial one, starting 17 next week. I would be more worried if Okinburr is in the starting 17 myself.

BBO seems too eager tbh its like he knows if he doesnt create something, nobody will.

I'd like to see at least one half next week of him next to Burton.

PS if knockonmor plays, Barrett will prove he isn't a FG coach.

 

[craigo]

Trent Barrett is done making excuses for his halfbacks and wants either Jake Averillo or Kyle Flanagan to stand up and take ownership of the Bulldogs attacking end of sets.

In the aftermath of his side’s 16-16 draw with the Knights in their second last trial before the season kicks off, Barrett admitted his side are still struggling with their fifth tackle options, an issue that plagued them all last season.

“Yeah, look, it was a funny one tonight,” Barrett told Fox League.

“I said pre-game I was worried, or, not worried, but our set ends were going to be really important.

And it was what we had problems with last year. And it reared its head again tonight. That’s why Burton’s been brought to the club.

“He’ll obviously be our dominant playmaker, our dominant kicker. But we need the [No.] 7 to stand up.”

Jake Averillo, who was Barrett’s preferred halfback for much of 2021 started the trial at No.7, but only managed 31 run metres and nine tackles with zero try or linebreak involvements.

Flanagan, who has fallen out of favour with Barrett since being let go by the Roosters and brought to the club on a substantial three-year deal, had zero run metres, zero try or linebreak involvements and an error in limited minutes.

In Burton’s absence, starting five-eighth Brandon Wakeham was probably the pick of the halves with 23 run metres, an offload and a linebreak assist.

However neither of the three are consistently creating opportunities for their teammates to score when in good field position, which will place plenty of pressure on Burton to carry the team’s attack.

Barrett admits his side need to get better at icing the end of their sets or they won’t climb up the ladder in a hurry after finishing last season with the wooden spoon.

“I thought we were scratchy in parts of our attack; not a lot of continuity there, which I thought would happen,” Barrett said.

“But we got a fair bit of good ball there at the back end of the game, and we just need someone to stand up and take control of the side.

“They’re young, I get it. But that’s the job, and we’ve got some work to do this week.”

Wish this dick would stop making excuses for averillo. He has had his chance over the last 2 seasons and has done fuck all. He should be nowhere near the team. Biondi has spark even cook. Both are the best options for the team this year.

 

[Crashdog]

Given Averillo, Flanagan and Wakeham have proven beyond doubt that they are not up to FG standard at HB, I reckon Baz has two choices. Find a solution from within the squad or go out and buy a HB.
From within the squad a possible solution could be Cook DH, JMK HB and BBO 14. I was impressed with Kurt Falls for Penrith over the weekend. It might be worth Gus having a chat with him.

 

[Philmus]

PS if knockonmor plays, Barrett will prove he isn't a FG coach.

Fox, Naden will be starting and i think Casey might get another crack so doubt theres room for him. Surely theres no reason to play him, they've seen for years what little he can offer. but agree, if he gets a run even off the bench i'll be pissed

 

[amapusae]

I have backed avo for the longest time but the lack of improvement in his game last night really was disappointing. He’s gotta prove something next week or we’re gonna have to do something out of the box like play Dufty or Josh cook in the halves. Wakeham and Flanagan have already proven they have nothing to offer and BBO is too raw. We just need someone to give Burton and Dufty early ball and straighten up the attack. Very fucking simple and it doesn’t look like we have anyone who can even do that. Next Monday will be important

 

[Moedogg]

Fuck, even Ash Taylor on minimum wage would be a better prospect than the stocks we currently have.

 

[Philmus]

Fuck, even Ash Taylor on minimum wage would be a better prospect than the stocks we currently have.

has he been promoted to top 30 for the warriors? maybe its not too late

 

[Brendan7]

Pull the trigger Barrett dufty and Burton pairing will do wonders.
And throw ado Carr to fullback.

Not only is JAC not a fullback, Dufty is not a half. Can we stop thinking every fullback is a half. It's completely different. The defensive difference alone is a huge problem with your idea.

 

[Philmus]

Not only is JAC not a fullback, Dufty is not a half. Can we stop thinking every fullback is a half. It's completely different. The defensive difference alone is a huge problem with your idea.

Dufty was a half in his junior footy days..

 

[D.O.W.]

Given Averillo, Flanagan and Wakeham have proven beyond doubt that they are not up to FG standard at HB, I reckon Baz has two choices. Find a solution from within the squad or go out and buy a HB.
From within the squad a possible solution could be Cook DH, JMK HB and BBO 14. I was impressed with Kurt Falls for Penrith over the weekend. It might be worth Gus having a chat with him.

I don’t mind the idea of JMK partnering Burton with Cook going into 9 as a starter.. either that or Burton and BBO - Avo is a bull runner that suits Centre or Fullback but you don’t move a specialist fullback for him and we have good centres in Naden and Schoupp with Alamoti being a future Sensation. Creedence really impressed too so Avo’s looking vulnerable.

Didn’t see much of Kurt Falls but he’s not our answer either - we need an established half, if we can’t find one here go to UK Superleague where guys like Aiden Sezer, Mitchell Pearce, George Williams, Blake Austin, Johnny Lomax, Mason Lino etc. are toiling away.

 

[Doge]

Dufty was a half in his junior footy days..

Most backs that make it to first grade play in the halves or fullback in juniors because they are the standout best players in their teams. The knock on Dufty is that he can’t defend, putting him in the line would be a disaster.

 

[CrittaMagic69]

People are worrying about the wrong thing, if yesterday actually is what we're going to be seeing during the season then we're going to be in the market for a new coach and not just players.

 

[CBDoggies]

When I heard him say that i was thinking to myself is this guy serious. Wtf have you been doing all pre season. They play games 13 on 13 and he couldn’t see it when they did? I’m sorry I like Trent and hope he succeeds but he seems to be footy smart and not translate that on the field to the players. We had no set plays atall in the attacking 10 and had tpj kick on the last on one of our last sets like wtf!

 

[Moedogg]

has he been promoted to top 30 for the warriors? maybe its not too late

Lol. Initially signed on train and trial but has been added to top 30.

 

[Doge]

People are worrying about the wrong thing, if yesterday actually is what we're going to be seeing during the season then we're going to be in the market for a new coach and not just players.

Baz will not be sacked this year. Gus would understand the obvious issues with our spine. Besides who would be his replacement? It’s either another inexperienced coach or Paul Green or Flanno Snr (lol). If we are going that bad again why would another rookie step up to take the poison chalice and if Gus does interfere again like he did at Penrith it will put potential coaches off the job.

Also he won’t want to look like he is caving into media pressure from gronks like Rothfield.

 

[wendog33]

When I heard him say that i was thinking to myself is this guy serious. Wtf have you been doing all pre season. They play games 13 on 13 and he couldn’t see it when they did? I’m sorry I like Trent and hope he succeeds but he seems to be footy smart and not translate that on the field to the players. We had no set plays atall in the attacking 10 and had tpj kick on the last on one of our last sets like wtf!

The buck stops with the coach afterall. We didn't see much improvement in structure to score points last night and Burton won't be able to play every game, so someone needs to step up to first grade 7 and that time is now.

I just hope Gus gets down to recovery today and asks for some explanations from Baz and whoever needs a mentoring session with him to get the team improving.

 

[CrittaMagic69]

Baz will not be sacked this year. Gus would understand the obvious issues with our spine. Besides who would be his replacement? It’s either another inexperienced coach or Paul Green or Flanno Snr (lol). If we are going that bad again why would another rookie step up to take the poison chalice and if Gus does interfere again like he did at Penrith it will put potential coaches off the job.

He won't have a choice because we will be dead last and our fans won't cop that. Look at how we played yesterday, literally ran a double block play EVERY tackle in the red zone. I thought we were just playing through the motions with it being a trial but if we weren't and that's actually how we're going to approach games this season then that's on the coach and it doesn't matter who the halfback, 5/8 or fullback is.

 

[Doge]

He won't have a choice because we will be dead last and our fans won't cop that. Look at how we played yesterday, literally ran a double block play EVERY tackle in the red zone. I thought we were just playing through the motions with it being a trial but if we weren't and that's actually how we're going to approach games this season then that's on the coach and it doesn't matter who the halfback, 5/8 or fullback is.

As long as we have no halfback and no hooker we will struggle. The only way out is to fix the spine. No amount of coaching will help if we don’t have a halfback or hooker, thankfully one of these positions will be filled next year.