The fullback position has evolved into arguably the most important position on the rugby league field.
Their impact was clear to see in Round 1 when both Brett Stewart and Darius Boyd succumed to injuries, resulting in losses for both Manly and Newcastle.
The role of the fullback is no longer to simply organise the defensive live and return the ball from kicks. They need to have the ability to read the play, be creative and have speed to cause a headache for the opposition.
Ben Barba is a player with all of the above attributes and more. The Bulldogs lost him in the off-season and have failed to replace him since.
They desperately need a fullback. Instead, they this week signed a prop for an incredible amount of money.
Canterbury chief executive Raelene Castle still believes they have the money to secure a top fullback. The problem for the Bulldogs is that top-class fullbacks are hard to come by, and it is highly unlikely that they will secure one for the rest of this season.
Sam Perrett has been chosen to fill the void for the second successive week. He is a competent player, a solid finisher and generally safe under the high ball.
The problem is that he lacks the X-factor required to create opportunities and capitalise on set plays. Considering he has played most of his career on the wing, you can hardly blame him.
The Bulldogs struggled in their Round 1 clash against the Broncos. They ran through their set plays well enough, however Perrett seemed to be worrying about the play rather than playing what’s in front of him.
On one occasion in the first half they created space on the edge and the correct decision of running through a gap could have developed into a try.
Perrett hesitated and passed the ball to his centre instead, allowing the defence time to slide and close the gap. His ball-playing skills have a long way to go if the Bulldogs are going to successfully use him from the back.
Canterbury have been linked to a number of players in their search for a fullback, including Josh Hoffman and Josh Dugan, while recent rumours suggest they are targeting Manly’s Peta Hiku in some sort of trade.
The most likely outcome seems to be Hoffman, however 2015 is looking to be the earliest they can secure his services.
This means that Des Hasler needs to make a decision for the rest of this season. Does he stick with Sam Perrett? Or does he try more dynamic players such as Josh Morris or Krisnan Inu?
The problem with the latter is that the move will weaken other positions.
The final option would be to throw a youngster into the position, however Hasler has proved to be very conservative with his team selections over his career with Manly and Canterbury.
The Bulldogs take on a severely depleted Sharks side this weekend and they should win comfortably.
Perrett will remain at fullback for the time being, but it will be a difficult 2014 for the Bulldogs as they lack creativity in the halves and no longer have a spark from the back.
dallas
Guest
You dont know what your talking about mate. Its not the 80s any more forwards dont get back 20 metres to run onto the footy. They play flat and run good lines and angles to penetrate the line which is what williams and pritchard are very good at. The problem for the dogs is other teams have done there homework on them and know what there doing and without the threat of barba out the back the are being read easily. Solution - coach needs a new game plan and change it up a bit
Passionate_Aussie
Roar Rookie
I imagine no different, but that's just my opinion.
Sir Jamie Lyon
Guest
The problem is there halves. Josh Reynolds is average at best same with hodgkinson. Too slow no creativity. Inu at fullback would be there best option. Regardless its gonna be a long year for the bEagles
soapit
Guest
if he woke up about it he could realise that fullback for nsw is a bit less congested long term. we've got hopoate coming back but not too many top class fullbacks (i like hayne better at centre in origin)
Tiger
Guest
That is a great comment..exactly right.. At least Keating got the ball out quickly!
Tiger
Guest
True..maybe they should put Graham at halfback!
stumpy
Guest
I don't think Hodkinson suits the dogs style. The half needs to organise the plays, tell players where to run ( i.e. tell T.rex to stand deeper in attack ). In 2012 when they made the GF they had Kris Keating at half back. While maybe not a gun half back, he could get early ball out wide when needed. Since 2012 everything the dogs do looks slow and predictable. The futures looks good at belmore.
Christian D'Aloia
Roar Guru
He hasn't re-signed as of yet, but it's been rumoured that it will be announced soon. I also don't see Morris missing out on a NSW jumper simply because he's one of the first picked every year. With the current state of Canterbury's back line, I'd imagine they'd be doing everything in their power to keep him at the club.
Walter Penninger
Roar Guru
I agree with all comments. Josh Morris is the best choice at fullback. I thought he had already signed with the Bulldogs and yes I think that representative centres is not within reach anymore.
soapit
Guest
yes i do mean that. but imagine what the broncos would be like without him. he's won the last 2 games for them by setting up tries. plus compare what the buldogs are like now without him
dallas
Guest
Mbye would have to be worth a shot at fullback, sam perrett is a safe and consistant winger but he is not a fullback, I think krisnan inu has too many mistakes in his game to play 1. As well.
Passionate_Aussie
Roar Rookie
See what Barba is doing at three Broncos you mean? What Barba is doing is nothing compared to what he was doing at the Dogs. Yeah, sure he's only played two games. He's most likely getting used to them and also gaining some much needed match fitness given the year he had last season. I don't doubt the importance of a fullback at all but it's the halves that direct a team and create opportunities for our fullbacks. Why do you think Slater and Cronk work so well together. Slater does not lead Cronk, that's for sure!
Danny
Roar Rookie
I agree Josh Morris has experience at fullback from last year. But what position does young Moses M'bye play?
soapit
Guest
have you watched their sets of six? they're on the backfoot right from the start of each set because of a lack of spark from 1. i makes a big difference to the team. see what barba is doing at the bulldogs.
soapit
Guest
his nsw centre career is gone, hayne and jennings are in front of him.he should just do it as nike says
Jay h
Guest
Josh Reynolds is good in the halves Trent hodkinson done nothing since he played at manly
Christian D'Aloia
Roar Guru
Morris isn't happy at fullback as he believes it will put his NSW centre career at risk. Not sure how, seeing as Greg Inglis is a wonderful fullback for South Sydney, and still a game-breaker at centre for Queensland. By playing him at fullback, we'd be risking him moving to St George.
Passionate_Aussie
Roar Rookie
But Tiger, they don't have good halves...
Tiger
Guest
I say Perret back to wing when Inu returns and put him back to fullback..if Inu plays like he can he'd be a sensation at fullback.. Good under the highball, speedy,good attacking skills and a good defender. Ps As a smokey maybe even Mybe..might be a bit small though!
Passionate_Aussie
Roar Rookie
As you said, the bulldogs lack creativity in the halves but blame their problems on the lack of a quality fullback. How is a fullback expected to play the role of second or third playmaker when there isn't an actual playmaker? Makes it hard being a fullback, doesn't it.