Everyone has an opinion on how the Bulldogs will fare in 2019. Some argue that top 8 is achievable, whilst others believe we will be embroiled in a wooden spoon battle. Bookies have us as favorites for this dreaded dishonor. Only the utmost optimists or delusional will support the idea that we will become premiers. So realistically we should prioritize and divert the debate into the future and 'team rebuilding'.
So let's unpack how the 'team rebuilding' is progressing. Briefly let's reacquaint ourselves with the principle of causation (salary cap ect), but focus more on the operating relationship of effect.
On 9th of November 2017, previous Chairman Ray Dib, announced that the club was now salary cap compliant at a special sponsors and members function held at Belmore Sportsground. Chief executive Todd Greenberg, who attended the Bulldogs function gave Canterbury the clearance earlier that day and finally rubber stamped Canterbury's salary cap for 2018, officially registering the contracts of marquee signings Kieran Foran and Aaron Woods. This we were told, was made possible through the release of James Graham, Brad Abbey and Josh Reynolds.
We fast forward to 2019. What about all the 'back ended' contracts ? The new regime guaranteed that there will not be such contracts during their tenure. So after releasing Eastwood, Woods, Josh and Brett Morris, Mbye and Klemmer only Jackson qualifies.
Reason being, the other 14 players signed in 2016, 9 have since been released, Montoya was resigned in 2017, RFM, Lewis and Martin were resigned in 2018 and Tualua contract expires in 2019 and was not 'back ended'.
In 2017 we signed 11 players and resigned 9 others. Five ( which included Woods) have since been released. Fifteen players ( which included Foran ) have been retained for 2019 season and beyond and according to the new regime their contracts are not 'back ended'. In Foran's case the NRL put a caveat on his contract due to the uncertainty of his future playing career, which was publicly discussed and painted a troubling picture of a player straining under the weight of public expectation and mental health.
In 2018 we signed 10 players and resigned 5 others.
In summary out of 30 players, 28 the exception being Jackson and Tualau have been signed, resigned or debuted during the last 2 years! So armed with these facts, whilst debating ' team rebuilding', who is confident that this newly formed team can mature into future premiers ? Who thinks the club did a very poor job in sourcing and retaining players ? Who thinks we should scrap this newly formed team, spend the next few years suffering in silence and restart a fresh rebuild ? Who has confidence that the new board and coach will not repeat past mistakes ?
I'm interested Bulldogs fans.
ps History records that we have a proven blueprint for the solution, but that's a discussion for another thread.
