Alarm bells certainly are not ringing in Belmore just yet, but you feel that after Saturday night’s performance the Bulldogs may find points much harder to come by this season.
The exclusion of Ben Barba is an obvious reason, yet last season, Canterbury’s potency in attack was down to much more than their little maestro in the number one jersey.
A short interchange in passing between their large, bustling pack, usually had teams on the back-foot early and allowed Canterbury to make inroads in most games.
The loss of Kasiano, Pritchard and Graham was incredibly evident last night, not only for their size, but for their mercurial ball skills and ability to press on opposition packs.
The Cowboys, led by Matt Scott and James Tamou, have what I believe to be the best front rower in the game, and with their ability to win metres through the centre of the field, it certainly made Jonathon Thurston’s job a much easier one last night.
Thurston was at his best with three try assists. He sold a dummy to Tony Williams and gifted Gavin Cooper the easiest try he will ever score in his career.
Compare Thurston’s influence to that of the Canterbury halves.
Canterbury lacked direction, which is a worrying sign especially if Des Hasler persists with the current halves combination of Reynolds and Keating.
There is no doubt that both halves give their all on the field, and you could not fault them for a lack of effort.
However, are they the right combination to get the Bulldogs to go one better in 2013?
No, they’re not. Kris Keating is an honest halfback at best, his influence is based on a solid left boot, his territorial kicking game is one of the stronger string in his bow, yet his attacking ‘spark’ in the opposition 20 is non-existent.
What sets great players apart from average ones is their ability to make you pay when you make a mistake.
Jonathon Thurston made Canterbury pay in cash with every single mistake they made. Every time he touched the football, something looked like it was about to happen.
Another North Queensland strike weapon, Matty Bowen was kept pretty quiet, which left it all up to Thurston to pull the strings.
When the Bulldogs had a chance to make the Cowboys pay, it didn’t happen.
On three separate sets I saw a back rower receive the ball on the fifth tackle at first receiver.
Where are the halves?
This is where you need your six, and your seven to stand up and take control.
I believe that if the Bulldogs are to reach the heights of last year, Des Hasler needs to bring Trent Hodkinson into the starting line-up, especially early in the season.
No disrespect to Kris Keating, but he is not going to win you Grand Finals. Great play-makers make the players around them look much better.
Just look at Ash Graham, and the influence of Jonathon Thurston with his ability to put points on the board.
It’s time for Des to take a long hard look at who he puts into the seven jersey long term.
dogforlife
Guest
Nah, we will buy who we please as we please. Jealous much?
The Barry
Roar Guru
Talk of Pritchard and Kasiano being back for Round 2 which will help. Dogs need to control the ball better regardless of who their halves are. Keating and Reynolds worked well last year when the forwards and Barba could be the focal point of the attack but may need to try something different this year without BB. Problem is Barba's issues only came to light a couple of weeks out from the start of the season so not much time to change game plans. I've heard that Hodkinson has pretty serious knee (two re-co's) and shoulder injuries that he's struggling to come back from and that his limited pace is hampered even further. He's certainly a better ball player and has a better short kicking game that Keating. Given that Des was prepared to let Hodko go (albeith with DCE waiting in the wings) probably doesn't auger well for Hodko. Thurston made the most of every opportunity. Gavin Cooper has made a career of scoring 'easy' tries off the back of Thurston.
Dave
Guest
Why don't the dogs try this for a change. Bring a junior through. I know it goes against their policy of signing manly players but just try it. Dogs are in for a terrible year and I can't wait to see hassler and Greenberg at each other. Cracks are starting to appear. Oh and good luck with t-Rex. He will finish the year in reserve grade. Haha.
josh
Guest
i lik reynolds i though did well and he wasin the right place t te rght time he did pretty well nd keating looked like he was trying but he couldn't make any plays we need to bu a new halfback if we wan to get anywhere without barba. buti thought the only players putting 100% in were morris, eatwood, reynolds, inu and low did pretty wellfor his firs machso did klemmer. i was a bit angry on he lack of effect williams had but atleast he didn't have alot of major errors does anyone know hen kasiao and prichard are returning
Jason
Guest
Us bulldog supporters will need to be patient. Obviously we didn't field our strongest side but I thought the Cowboys were entitled to score more points than they did.Thurston was at his best and our halves really didn't have the chance to gel.I think we should keep the same combination for next game.
Dogs Of War
Roar Guru
NSW Cup. From reports he played fair, but not a performance that would make him a must to be first grade half back.
Lou
Guest
Seeing that Barba and Cherry are best mates wouldn't it be great if Cherry could convince Benny to pull on a maroon and white jumper !!! before ya laugh stranger things have happened !! While I'd love to kick Des while he's down it's to early in the season but fingers crossed come September all Manly folk will be having the last laugh !!! Go Manly
Andy
Guest
Move Josh Reynolds to half back and Tony Williams to Five-eighth.
Jaiden Florimo
Roar Rookie
Kris Keating was exposed in the Grand Final. He is not a premiership winning halfback. Not even close. Where is Trent Hodkinson?
Bazzio
Roar Guru
If Nasser says 'look left", always look right . .
Dogs Of War
Roar Guru
A lot of rubbish rumours going around. A lovely one I heard was K.Nasser is trying to get him back with his ex, and get a release from his contract so he can go and play for the Cowboys. Plenty of crap is floating around cause no one knows what is really happening.
Bazzio
Roar Guru
Horrible thought ~ if Des follows Steve Price's example, Ennis will be halfback
Dogs Of War
Roar Guru
The Bulldogs are looking at options currently for the halves, with Sam Williams a name that has been mentioned. Will find out if that rumour is true once Campo is fit to play with the Raiders.
Adam
Guest
Comment removed. Roar Mods.