Following their second grand final appearance in three years, which resulted in yet another crushing defeat, the Canterbury Bulldogs squad was given a sizeable shake-up and an energising injection of youth.
The Bulldogs were widely considered to haev overachieved in 2014, but the reshuffle of personnel only heightened expectations of the blue and white faithful as they strived to go one better in 2015.
While the loss of the beloved and experienced Michael Ennis to the Sharks initially cast a shadow over the club’s fortunes, the arrival of Brett Morris, Michael Lichaa and Curtis Rona quickly filled the gaping hole.
Brett Morris joined brother Josh at the Bulldogs in 2015, shifting from both the Dragons and the wing to take up an important role at fullback, providing the blinding speed they lacked in previous years.
Lichaa, meanwhile, was essentially a straight swap with Ennis, arriving from the Sharks to grab a full-time role at hooker for the first time in his career, with the highly rated youngster filling his predecessor’s shoes nicely.
Rona, a tall and speedy winger, arrived from the Cowboys and had an instant impact, scoring the second most tries in the NRL with 22.
After a bumpy opening, the season’s turning came after the Dogs lost four from five – little surprise considering the players absent. They drew a line in the sand in Round 11 on a cold Canberra night when, without NSW Origin stars Josh Jackson, David Klemmer, Josh Morris, Brett Morris and Trent Hodkinson (some of whom were only absent due to injury or suspension), the Bulldogs exploded out of the blocks to gain an early 24-point lead, before Canberra pulled the game out of the jaws of defeat to lock the scores at 34-all. A miracle sideline field goal from Josh Reynolds separated the two sides, although a try from the kickoff to Moses Mbye made for a prettier scoreline.
Despite an inconsistent middle portion of the season, they finished in red-hot form with six straight wins, yet only barely escaped with a golden point victory over the Dragons in Week 1 of the finals.
Certainly, it was a less-than-impressive victory and wouldn’t have inspired any confidence within the playing group.
Against the Roosters they started hard and fast, but were unable to keep pace throughout the 80 minutes, their season withering away in a 38-12 loss.
The best of
The most inspiring and exciting moment in the Bulldogs’ 2015 season was their Round 16 game agains the Melbourne Storm – at Belmore Sports Ground!
For the first time in 17 years, the Canterbury club played a top-grade game at their spiritual home in front of a jam-packed crowd of over 17,000 (and that’s not including those peering from treetops, balconies and milk crates).
It drew a special effort from the players, particularly Klemmer, who tore the game wide open with a handful of devastating runs, before the crowd began chanting Josh Reynolds’ name in a desperate plea for coach Des Hasler to inject the homegrown product into the game.
In a heartwarming moment, Hasler succumbed to the crowd’s wish, allowing the human embodiment of Belmore to enjoy the 20-4 victory.
The worst of
No surprises for the most devastating part of season 2015. After opening the season with three wins from their opening four games, including a golden-point victory over the Tigers, the Bulldogs’ season took an enormous blow on one of the most controversial days in NRL history.
On the annual Good Friday clash between the Bulldogs and Rabbitohs, the former held a one-point advantage in the dying moments of the game, before James Graham charged down an Adam Reynolds field-goal attempt, collecting his legs along the way. Without doubt it was unintentional, but dangerous nonetheless, and the Bulldogs were penalised, allowing South Sydney to kick a penalty goal and win.
Graham and fellow bookend Klemmer burst with rage, yelling profanities at the referee, leading to bottle-throwing from fans and lengthy suspensions for both players.
To add injury to insult, Brett Morris went down with a long-term hamstring injury in the final moment of the game.
Player of the year
A sentimental favourite to win this award, Frank Pritchard enjoyed perhaps his best season in the NRL. Playing 104 games for the club since 2011, Pritchard had found a home at the Bulldogs, but amid salary cap issues volunteered to take up a smaller contract in the Super League to relieve pressure.
From Round 1 his form was brilliant, with his enormous edge-running proving near uncontainable, and his combination with centre Josh Morris and winger Curtis Rona proving fruitful throughout the year.
Rookie watch
Lichaa, Rona, Damien Cook and Shaun Lane all shone throughout various stages of 2015. While Rona managed to catch a try-scoring disease of some sort, courtesy of centre partner Josh Morris, Lichaa’s growing presence in attack and sturdy defence showed why the Sharks were devastated with his departure.
When Lichaa’s season prematurely ended due to a broken ankle, Cook grabbed his opportunity with both hands, showing off blinding speed to prove he was more than just a fill-in. Lane meanwhile, was a mainstay of the bench, with his tall, lanky frame proving more than a handful for opposition defences.
Coach’s report card
Des Hasler has enjoyed a wealth of success since his high-profile move from the Sea Eagles in 2012, making the grand final both that year as well as 2014. While the premiership window could be closing with the loss of Hodkinson and Pritchard, Hasler has done well to keep his side contending for the premiership through constant renewal of their roster.
He is, of course, in no danger of losing his job, but the Bulldogs are still demanding that elusive premiership.
Need more from
With no backup halves of note, Mbye and Reynolds go into 2016 with security of their starting position in the 6 and 7 jumpers. Contracted to the club until the end of 2016, a number of clubs have already engaged in a bidding war Mbye’s services following his outstanding start to the season. Once Hodkinson’s season ended, however, Mbye was forced to take on the responsibility of the starting halfback, but was largely unable to, with his combination with the loose cannon that is Reynolds too raw to deliver success.
Likely 17 for 2016
1. Brett Morris
2. Curtis Rona
3. Josh Morris
4. Tim Lafai
5. Sam Perrett
6. Josh Reynolds
7. Moses Mbye
8. Aiden Tolman
9. Michael Lichaa
10. James Graham
11. Josh Jackson
12. Tony Williams
13. Greg Eastwood
14. Sam Kasiano
15. David Klemmer
16. Tim Browne
17. Shaun Lane
Tyson
Guest
We NEED a kicker
The Barry
Roar Guru
I don't think he's been anywhere near as bad as has been made out. Des is definitely using him differently to how he did in 2011. Williams regularly plays 80 minutes and runs over 100 metres. They're often tough metres too with 3-4 defenders hanging off him. The question is really whether Des is getting the best out of him as an 80 minute player versus being an impact player off the bench.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Is there really a space for impact players on the edges anymore? Not sure coaches will have much room for them, 8 (and later 6) interchanges will see the props and lock take up almost all of them you'd think unless teams find a way to get all their players in those positions capable of 30-50 minute stretches. One wonders with the increasing size of the players (and relative size limit of hookers who have to reach the grounded ball) how long the hooker will be defending in the center of the line.
Niall
Guest
As a Dogs fan, Barry, what do you think of the criticism Williams cops from fans? I think first year it was justified because he was poor but 2014 and this year he was fine until the injury ended his year. Fans seem to expect him to be the player he was at Manly when he was only playing short explosive stints.
no one in particular
Roar Guru
Too many fat and large bodies with the interchange changes for next season. A hooker with poor distribution, a bipolar 5/8 and a half that struggled when he was given the reins Borderline top 8 next year
The Barry
Roar Guru
2. It's not just getting 80 mins out of players but getting an effective 80 and also having a plan B when bash and barge with the big blokes doesnt work. Eastwood can't play 80. He's gasping after 20. Likewise Williams regularly plays 80. But is he as effective as he would be in short bursts? I think Des pulled the wrong rein trying to turn T-Rex into an 80 min player. 3. We'll have to see.
The Barry
Roar Guru
1. I'm prepared to give Mbye a chance. He was still supposed to be the utility fill in player this year but found himself playing in the halves for most of the season. He definitely played more games than Reynolds but I wouldn't be surprised if he played more than Hodkinson as well. It was also his first full season of first grade. He looked pretty stuffed by the end and not as effective. I agree with Niall that he doesn't seem that type of player but he also seems a smart player and with a full off season of specific training he may be able to adapt to that role. Thurston filled that utility role in 2004. The next season he guided the Cowboys to the GF.
Samtwocan
Guest
I'm thinking without a decent halfback you guys are gunna struggle ( yeah I know famous last words ) in 2016 ... A scrappy yeah this year and I expected better but without the creativity at half they fell off the pace and I don't think Mbye will change anything substantially next year . Still in the eight but only because the teams below them will be crap .
Alex L
Roar Rookie
1. Too early to tell from the outside; he didn't seem to do a great job without Hodkinson during the year but he has time. 2. In the wider squad? perhaps, but it's hard to see where they'd fit into a match day side; T-Rex and Jackson can play 80 (provided it's not 35 degrees), while Tolman and Graham will give big minutes in the middle -- can Hasler get 3 parallel 80 minute blocks of play per game from Graham, Tolman, Eastwood, Kasiano, and Klemmer? if so there's not much to change. The only real pressure I can think of might come from Lloyd Perrett. 3. Depends where the injury is, but I think that's true for all teams. Any of the spine positions would be disastrous, and either Tolman or Graham would be very hard to manage losing too. A lot of teams will find the forward pack to be a lot more of a house of cards in coming years; endurance hasn't been the most prized attribute of forwards.
Niall
Guest
1. I don't think Mbye is that kind of player. He looked at his best sitting on the left playing instinctively with Pritchard, Rona and Morris. Hodkinson seems to play so much better on the right edge. 2 Jackson, Graham, Lichaa, Tolman and Eastwood could all go 80. Williams can play bigger minutes than he is given credit for. 3 There's talk of Hopoate coming in. I don't follow NSW cup to closely but apparently Des is comfortable that the blokes in reserve grade can do a job if called on. I'd like to see the Dogs sign a fullback. Nothing against Morris who had a great season but he doesn't have the ball-playing to unlock a defence. Nothing against Reynolds, who is creative but his creativity is not conventional. He can make plays where he runs around three and pops a pass from nowhere to set up a try. His weakness is that bread and butter fundamental, conventional ball-playing. Kurtley Beale would do nicely but seems to have gone quiet.
ferret
Guest
Spot on TB. Weaknesses remain the halves and, I think they still have one fat cuddly forward too many in the top 17. I think small-ball is taking over from the power game (Souths suffered from a similar limitation in attack) and while Des has some good, big youngsters coming through (Lane, Klemmer, Browne) I wouldn't be surprised to see one of Eastwood; Williams; Kasiano get demoted as the game picks up pace and more emphasis on endurance. Kasiano also needs to pay more attention to detail, like playing the ball correctly. Gave away too much cheap possession with silly mistakes. Also I thought James Graham's game wasn't up to the excellent standard of his previous two seasons. He seemed to have less of an impact this year. In the end Dog's fans better hope Mbye doesn't get injured as not sure what options they have in such a specialist position.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Disrupted season from start to finish. They kept promising to turn the corner but never quite did. Playing the power game is one thing - when it worked it was great but when teams countered it there didn't seem to be a plan B. The off season queries will be: 1. Can Mbye guide the team around the park from 7? 2. Will the dogs inject some more 80 minute players into their squad to make up for the reduction in interchanges? 3. Will they have sufficient depth to cope with injuries. They've lost a couple and not brought anyone in.