I broke my golden rule in last year’s Grand Final and backed a team with no recognized organiser against the Storm’s Cooper Cronk, who runs a team just about better than anybody.
The Canterbury Bulldogs will have to show a marked improvement in fifth tackle decision making if they are to “get me” again, but they may get their halfback Trent Hodgkinson back.
I supported them at big odds early in the season and was happy to “let it ride” into the big one, but the bookies have found them early this season and given the injury concerns to several of their forwards they must be opposed at their current skinny quote.
The Bulldogs have the reputation for fielding the best forward pack in the NRL but they will be without their three most influential forwards for a major part of the early rounds and Corey Payne has retired and his value inside the dressing room was invaluable.
International James Graham, the other big talker, will miss the initial 12 weeks after chewing Billy Slater’s ear in the Grand Final, while prop of the year Sam Kasiano will be in rehab for at least the first month.
This will mean an extended period up front for young Martin Taupau and we can expect to see plenty of 19 year old David Klemmer, who weighs 120kg (Kasiano is 122kg).
Klemmer was the 2012 Dally M Toyota Cup player of the year and the only player to make over 4000 metres, but the smart teams will likely find him out in defence as he turns like the Queen Mary.
Kiwi star Frank Pritchard has ongoing injury concerns and he will miss the early games also. That is four key forwards from last years super pack.
A bonus for the Bulldogs is that they have been allocated nine Friday night matches in the first 20 rounds, but they will need them.
The other bonus is that Trent Hodgkinson has responded and will likely be available for round one. If he is fit he must start at halfback as he is the only player on the Bulldogs list who can organise which was the chief reason why they were beaten by the Storm in last year’s Grand Final.
Hodgkinson’s biggest concern is that he cannot run at full capacity, but his ability to run the team is priceless.
There is no question that the one player they cannot replace is fullback Ben Barba and it will be a major surprise if he is not missing for the three Origin games along with Josh Morris and Tony Williams.
STAKING PLAN:
The Bulldogs are gross “under the odds” in my opinion at this stage of the season. With question marks over Hodgkinson and plenty of injury and suspension concerns to key forwards their task will not be easy. Prefer to risk.
VIDEO PREVIEW:
The TMF
Guest
Ever thiought of 6. Keating 7. Hodgkinson 13. Reynolds For the early rounds if pritchard is out. Don't see Eastwood as a startinmg high minutes player, more impact player. Jackson will be the key while Graham is out. With Stagg moving on the dogs have a staggering amount of tackles the make up and Jackson has shown he has the defensive workhorse abilitly of the likes of Fensom. Also think that the shoulder charge being rubbed out may help Reynolds defensive game. His attempts at these last year were boom and bust and nothing in between. Instead just a focus on the desperate defense he shows when he pulls off ankle taps would be much more productive. How well the dogs go early on until graham is back will be down to discipline.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Tom I have actually done every club and included a video. You can click on the video above and their will be a link under the video on YouTube and that will direct you to the free download of the eBook. (also an AFL eBook). But I will add the Broncos here over the next couple of day. It is exciting for them as they finally have a genuine organiser.
Tom
Guest
When are you doing the Broncos Scott?
Jake
Guest
Jim Wow! 2 Kasiano's by round 2, that's a handful !
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
TOMORROW WE LOOK AT THE DRAGONS
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
sledge Wing was a better defender, Reynolds is great in attack but couldnt tackle a weet Bix.
sledgeross
Guest
Yeah, Reynolds reminds me of Craig Wing a bit, hes a good footy player, but does he have a best position?
planko
Roar Guru
So I would be backing in a offer to Thurston too "Come home" ...... They may not have enough to beat Penrith but he would not be the first player to picking winning games over money.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
sledge Dont disagree...Keating and Hodgo are borderline 1st graders for mine, and Reynolds is really a 9. He has no idea in defence and his tackle style is better suited close in.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
plank He is signed up to 2013 only so far for 266k.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Plank Reminds me of Rin Tin Tin, they both like meat.
sledgeross
Guest
I find it interesting to see how the Dogs will go this year. For mine, it was Barbas brilliance at long distance tries that decided alot of games for them last year. In the GF when he broke down field, he was called back (correctly) but that try would have opened the game up. In the regular season that probably would have gone his way. If Barba is not as good this year (and All STar form suggests hes looking pretty good) the the Dogs with a big, albeit massive, pack might struggle. Scott points out direction in the halves, and thats valid. Keating pops up when he has too without having to do much no 7 work, and while Reynolds is a fine footballer, is he a five eighth? Hodkinson might make a difference, but was he over-rated to begin with? Yep, will be interesting to see how they go this year.
Dogs Of War
Roar Guru
To be honest, I think we will go well just cause we have players who can fill in those gaps well, like Inu who can move to Fullback, and with the space the forwards create, you don't have to be at a Barba level to take advantage of that. Also with our forward pack uneffected by Origin due to how many NZ + GB players we have, at worst we can still afford to tone down our play a little and still get home.
planko
Guest
I just realised who Graham reminded me of. Kevin Ward. Simple gets on with it leads through the middle. Does the hard work.
planko
Guest
Scott this is why NQLD need to bury the JT thing I think there are as many as 4 clubs that sitting on their hands for resigning good players on the hope they can keep/sign Thurston. Bulldogs do not have Reynolds signed post year I hear ? I could be wrong and how long is Trent Hodkinson signed for ?
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Dogs Time will tell. The forwards got the credit, but it was Barba who kept on pulling out freakish tries that got the dogs home last year in many close games. Lets see how they go during Origin without Barba.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
james The Bulldogs only played like that because they do not have anyone to run the team. My view is that Hasler should have gone all out to get Cherry-Evans instead of T-Rex. Did you notice how Barba went with a real general in Thurston? 3 tries in 30 mins!!!!!!
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Jim Pritchard may play but he has and will have ongoing problems. They wont want to risk guys against the big Cowboys pack.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Jim, If they play they will not be 100% fit. My mail is they wont play but the coaching and medical staff will obviously make the final call. Given the long season, it would be a big risk to play them unless 100%
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
plank I agree about Graham, massive out.