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Over the last few days, we have heard how the Bulldogs thrashed an “injury-depleted” Wests Tigers.
Part of this is true. The Tigers’ side has been hit with an injury plague and the Bulldogs certainly did thrash them, however I question whether the injuries are a sufficient excuse.
First, let us take a look at the starting side for last Friday’s game.
Fullback: James Tedesco. James is the best fullback prospect at the club. He should have played there from Round 1.
He played fullback for the City Origin side.
Wings: Marika Koroibete and Matt Utai.
Friday saw the return of the flying Fijian, Koroibete, a real asset to the side. Utai, on the other hand, has not been able to reproduce his 2011 form at the club and has become a target for opposition halves’ high kicks.
Centres: Joel Reddy and Eddy Pettybourne. Each has roughly 100 career games behind them and did not have the largest shoes to fill with the current form of Lawrence and Ayshford.
Halves: Curtis Sironen and Benji Marshall. Although almost certainly destined for the back row, Sironen has shown he has what it takes to mix it in the NRL.
Marshall is a former New Zealand captain, World Cup, Tri-Nation and Premiership champion. His record speaks for itself.
Prop: Aaron Woods and Jack Buchanan. Both are exciting young props and Woods is knocking at the door of NSW selection with an almighty thud.
Hooker: Robbie Farah. In the top two for this position worldwide, he always busts his guts for the team.
Second row: Liam Fulton and Adam Blair. Fulton is an underrated defensive workhorse. Blair is a premiership-winning, NZ international.
Lock: Shaun Spence. OK, not too much experience there.
Now, looking at that side you would have to give them a good chance of beating a Bulldogs side that had only been able to defeat the Eels and Sharks thus far this season.
A team that were also pumped 38-0 by the Roosters just two games prior.
I was even stupid enough to tip the Tigers.
What the Tigers produced on Friday night was just not good enough.
I actually feel sorry for Farah, Woods, Fulton, Tedesco and (arguably) Reddy.
These guys gave their all and have been branded the same as the rest of the side.
I am a member of the club and a loyal supporter, but I do not adhere to the philosophy that bagging your own team in some way means that you are not sticking by them.
I was there at ANZ Stadium to witness that game and I will be there on Friday night to see them take on the Sharks at Allianz, but I expect more from them.
Much more!
The injuries that they have suffered this year so far, have had a negative effect on the team. However, they are no excuse for performances like the one witnessed last Friday night.
The Tigers need an attitude injection or else an even bigger embarrassment awaits as they take on several former teammates, all eager to prove the club wrong for letting them go.
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