CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS
Gains: Fa’amanu Brown (Sharks), Kieran Foran (Warriors), Ofahiki Ogden (Warriors), Aaron Woods (Wests Tigers), Clay Priest (Raiders), Mason Cerruto (Panthers), Jarred Anderson (Roosters)
Losses: James Graham (Dragons), Sam Kasiano (Storm), Richard Kennar (Rabbitohs), Josh Reynolds (Wests Tigers), Tyrone Phillips (Panthers), Brad Abbey (Raiders), Adam Keighran (Panthers), Craig Garvey (Raiders)
Key buy: Kieran Foran. If the Kiwi international’s body can hold up, his arrival will be a game changer for the Dogs. With Foran a dominant and calming influence, he’ll free up Moses Mbye to move into a role where he can play footy and that’s at fullback. Mbye is a runner and at his best when he’s playing reactive football. With him running off Foran, the Bulldogs will turn plenty of heads in 2018
The pressure: Aaron Woods. The Dogs released their skipper to make room for the prop so there’s plenty of expectation on the new recruit. While Woods is a representative, he doesn’t offer a whole lot different from Graham. In fact, when Graham tweaked his playing style during the World Cup, he looked like a real weapon. The leadership void left by Graham is huge so Woods and some of his younger teammates will need to find their voice quickly.
Analysis: There’s been plenty of change in this squad but they’re on the right track. The biggest concern is around the backline. The Morris twins are experienced and dependable but ageing and slowing. The Morris boys would make any first grade side in the competition but need some class around them. Will Hopoate is solid but not a game change, Brenko Lee is a defensive liability and Marcelo Montoya is still developing. Ideally they’d add another quality centre to their list.
Roster rating: C+
Thats from foxsports nathan ryan. I probably would rate us slightly higher than that.