Opinion What the Bulldogs are lacking 2022

M

Mal_Z

Waterboy
Joined
Dec 3, 2020
Messages
75
Reaction score
89
Let's be honest, Flanagan will again be starting halfback in 2020. Gus has pretty much said it. So that means we have a future rep player in Burton, X factor in Dufty and TPJ, some grunt up the middle in Vaughan, and a kicking target in Naden. The doggies in 2022 will be full of potential and individual brilliance, but we lack a real general. Like Graham was, we need someone who isn't afraid to give out a spray and get the boys in line. Whether we can find that in Thompson is unknown but I feel it's a priority we need to address.

Then we have the hooker problem. It's embarrassing how a stopgap hooker in JMK became our first choice week in week out. One part of me would like to see Josh Cook have a go, but he's still very young. Another part of me likes Josh Hodgson. Although he's said to be a waster product at the green machine, I feel he'd provide stability and a strong voice in the middle third. He also doesn't just hand the ball to Floppas' side.

Thoughts on any other options?
 
amapusae

amapusae

Kennel Enthusiast
Joined
Jun 17, 2021
Messages
1,311
Reaction score
4,101
Doubt Flanagan will even be with us next year tbh. We just need a good hooker and we’ll survive, I think we’re more desperate for a 9 than a 7. The modern game relies on having a good dummy half that’s smart around the ruck and we don’t
 
CrittaMagic69

CrittaMagic69

Kennel Immortal
Premium Member
Gilded
SC H2H Champion
2 x SC Draft Champ
Joined
Nov 15, 2013
Messages
73,113
Reaction score
78,871
Mal_Z said:
Im going off when Gus said he'd like to see Flanagan perform in a stronger side. When Gus wants something from the dogs, he'll get it
Click to expand...
Gus talks soooooo much shit, I wouldn't take a lot of what he says so seriously. Flanagan starting at halfback is the most backwards move ever, it's not happening.
 
bradyk

bradyk

Kennel Immortal
Premium Member
2 x NF H2H Champ
NF Top Scorer
Joined
Mar 24, 2019
Messages
15,929
Reaction score
19,198
Question marks at hooker, fullback, Burton's halves partner (I like Averillo but if Baz continues the Panther blueprint it won't work) and Thompson's prop partner (almost certainly Vaughan, but he's in similar boat to Dufty at this stage of his career imo).
 
DogsOfWar1704

DogsOfWar1704

Kennel Addict
Premium Member
Ladder Champion
Joined
Jan 25, 2020
Messages
6,696
Reaction score
10,867
Gus isn't going to come out and publicly say flannagan won't be the starting half. He's not that weak.
But I don't think he's our starting half. I'd like to give wakeham another shot at 7 with Burton, wakes looks like he's beefed up alot. Bar a few kicks loomed pretty solid last week
 
Raysie

Raysie

Kennel Addict
Joined
Jun 6, 2010
Messages
7,999
Reaction score
6,682
As aleady mentioned by others, we ain't going no where without sorting out that dummy half role.

With Dafty and Burten joining, we can fake it until we make it to an extent but you can't do shit without a number 9 steering the team.
 
K

Kelpie03

Kennel Enthusiast
Joined
Feb 21, 2017
Messages
4,484
Reaction score
3,244
Mal_Z said:
Let's be honest, Flanagan will again be starting halfback in 2020. Gus has pretty much said it. So that means we have a future rep player in Burton, X factor in Dufty and TPJ, some grunt up the middle in Vaughan, and a kicking target in Naden. The doggies in 2022 will be full of potential and individual brilliance, but we lack a real general. Like Graham was, we need someone who isn't afraid to give out a spray and get the boys in line. Whether we can find that in Thompson is unknown but I feel it's a priority we need to address.

Then we have the hooker problem. It's embarrassing how a stopgap hooker in JMK became our first choice week in week out. One part of me would like to see Josh Cook have a go, but he's still very young. Another part of me likes Josh Hodgson. Although he's said to be a waster product at the green machine, I feel he'd provide stability and a strong voice in the middle third. He also doesn't just hand the ball to Floppas' side.

Thoughts on any other options?
Click to expand...
If Flanagan is our starting 1/2, he will undo any good work done by Burton and every other player.
 
CMP

CMP

Kennel Enthusiast
Joined
Jun 22, 2006
Messages
3,362
Reaction score
3,511
DogsOfWar1704 said:
Gus isn't going to come out and publicly say flannagan won't be the starting half. He's not that weak.
But I don't think he's our starting half. I'd like to give wakeham another shot at 7 with Burton, wakes looks like he's beefed up alot. Bar a few kicks loomed pretty solid last week
Click to expand...
Our options for 7 next year as it stands.
Flanagan
Averillo
Wakeham
BBO

BBO has potential but isn’t ready for the full time gig at 7. I think with a season in the 14. He is a very good prospect moving forward.

Flanagan might play better surrounded by better players but I’m not convinced. His vision for a halfback is poor. His kicking game for a half back is poor. His defence isn’t great. He is a good goal kicker.

Averillo put simply is not a half. He doesn’t organise. His kicking game isn’t good. Defensively he is ordinary at best. He is a runner. I’m not sure why he wasn’t given a run at fullback this year? I think he is a natural centre with the ball but his defence is not close to being a first grade centre in the NRL.

Wakeham is the best defensive option in this group of players. He has some XFactor qualities without being anything that special.

With the current list for me it’s.

6. Burton
7. Wakeham

14. BBO
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top