- Joined
- Oct 1, 2013
- Messages
- 17,736
- Reaction score
- 31,795
He is the Bankstown boy with rugby league’s X-factor.
Bulldogs coach Trent Barrett has revealed why he opted for young Jake Averillo at five-eighth for round one ahead of Lachlan Lewis and Brandon Wakeham.
Averillo, who played just two games at five-eighth last season, is ready to claim the number six jumper alongside recruit Kyle Flanagan for Friday night’s match against Newcastle at McDonald Jones Stadium.
Jake Averillo will start at five-eighth for the Bulldogs.
Wakeham is still being considered for the five-eighth spot but Barrett spoke highly of Averillo and his “X-factor.”
Canterbury used five five eighths last season – Kieran Foran (14 games), Wakeham (two), Averillo (two), Lewis (one) with the departed Jack Cogger also playing one match.
Averillo, 20, who made his NRL debut last season, played 13 games in 2020, mostly at centre.
“Jake has to get through some more stuff but he looks good, he looks like he will be okay,” Barrett said.
“He played a bit of centre last year but is a natural footballer. He can play anywhere. He will be fine.
“He played some really good games at the back-end of last year for Canterbury, has had a really good off-season and deserves his spot.
“I think five-eighth is Jake’s natural position and he will give us something different. He’s got a bit of x-factor about him.
Brandon Wakeham is in the 21.
“Jake is a good addition to the team and he will get his chance.”
Wakeham has still claimed a spot in the 21-man squad announced on Tuesday afternoon.
“We still have to get through another big day (of training on Wednesday), that’s our main day,” Barrett said. “We will then a call.
“Brandon is there, he is still an option at six. He played six in the trial and had some good touches.”
Barrett wants his entire team to step up and for fans to refrain from throwing additional pressure on Flanagan.
“We’ve got to take some heat off Kyle,” Barrett said.
“I’m just looking for a real good team performance.
Trent Barrett is set to give Jake Averillo his big chance.
“It’s not one or two individuals. We are a young team and we all need to perform. That is from one to 17 and I’m confident they will.
“It’s not about one person in the team. That’s one thing with our mob. We all need to play our role and that’s what we will be doing.”
Bulldogs prop Dylan Napa is primed and pumped for another big season.
“I’m really happy with where I’m at,” Napa said.
“There has been a lot of change at Belmore and lot of turnover of staff. But they are exciting times and I’m happy to be part of it.”
Asked about Barrett, Napa said: “I can’t speak highly enough of him and the standards he wants to hold us to with what we’re trying to build here.
“I want to try and continue building on what I’ve done already and make some more memories. I approach each season the same way.”
Canterbury still hope Penrith’s Matt Burton may arrive at Belmore sometime this season but Barrett has now focused fully on the start of this season.
“We will head to Newcastle and see how we go,” Barrett said.
Bulldogs coach Trent Barrett has revealed why he opted for young Jake Averillo at five-eighth for round one ahead of Lachlan Lewis and Brandon Wakeham.
Averillo, who played just two games at five-eighth last season, is ready to claim the number six jumper alongside recruit Kyle Flanagan for Friday night’s match against Newcastle at McDonald Jones Stadium.
Jake Averillo will start at five-eighth for the Bulldogs.
Wakeham is still being considered for the five-eighth spot but Barrett spoke highly of Averillo and his “X-factor.”
Canterbury used five five eighths last season – Kieran Foran (14 games), Wakeham (two), Averillo (two), Lewis (one) with the departed Jack Cogger also playing one match.
Averillo, 20, who made his NRL debut last season, played 13 games in 2020, mostly at centre.
“Jake has to get through some more stuff but he looks good, he looks like he will be okay,” Barrett said.
“He played a bit of centre last year but is a natural footballer. He can play anywhere. He will be fine.
“He played some really good games at the back-end of last year for Canterbury, has had a really good off-season and deserves his spot.
“I think five-eighth is Jake’s natural position and he will give us something different. He’s got a bit of x-factor about him.
Brandon Wakeham is in the 21.
“Jake is a good addition to the team and he will get his chance.”
Wakeham has still claimed a spot in the 21-man squad announced on Tuesday afternoon.
“We still have to get through another big day (of training on Wednesday), that’s our main day,” Barrett said. “We will then a call.
“Brandon is there, he is still an option at six. He played six in the trial and had some good touches.”
Barrett wants his entire team to step up and for fans to refrain from throwing additional pressure on Flanagan.
“We’ve got to take some heat off Kyle,” Barrett said.
“I’m just looking for a real good team performance.
Trent Barrett is set to give Jake Averillo his big chance.
“It’s not one or two individuals. We are a young team and we all need to perform. That is from one to 17 and I’m confident they will.
“It’s not about one person in the team. That’s one thing with our mob. We all need to play our role and that’s what we will be doing.”
Bulldogs prop Dylan Napa is primed and pumped for another big season.
“I’m really happy with where I’m at,” Napa said.
“There has been a lot of change at Belmore and lot of turnover of staff. But they are exciting times and I’m happy to be part of it.”
Asked about Barrett, Napa said: “I can’t speak highly enough of him and the standards he wants to hold us to with what we’re trying to build here.
“I want to try and continue building on what I’ve done already and make some more memories. I approach each season the same way.”
Canterbury still hope Penrith’s Matt Burton may arrive at Belmore sometime this season but Barrett has now focused fully on the start of this season.
“We will head to Newcastle and see how we go,” Barrett said.
