Time for a major change at the Bulldogs

There is nothing quite like the emotional overreaction that comes after a loss. When said loss also happens to translate into an early exit for a team that had high expectations, the irrational response is even greater.

However, there is nothing unreasonable about stating that the Bulldogs’ ignominious 28-12 loss to the Panthers on Sunday afternoon should be the catalyst for drastic changes at the proud club.

Let me head off the controversy straight away: Josh Morris scored a fair try, and considering NRL officials go to the bunker when someone sneezes, it was an appalling lack of judgement not to check if he had grounded the ball.

Likewise, the referees made a mistake by awarding Matt Moylan a milked penalty after he placed his hand into touch, with Penrith scoring off the ensuing set.

However, if any Dogs fan blames the referees for the loss, they’re delusional. Those decisions had an impact, for sure, and it’s disappointing, but the Panthers were the better side and thoroughly deserved to win.

So the Bulldogs are going home after just one week of the NRL finals, and though it’s earlier than they would have liked, it’s probably longer than they deserved. (Click to Tweet)

Canterbury was an extremely flawed football team, and by the halfway point of the season, even their most ardent fan knew they weren’t a serious premiership threat.

Though the team wasn’t without its positives and strengths, its weaknesses ensured they were pretenders, not contenders.

The Belmore-based club has a long and successful history, which ensures that they don’t want to simply make up the numbers in the competition; they want to win it all. Yet in order to do so with their existing talent, changes need to be made.

The Bulldogs have a brilliant pack; there isn’t a halves pairing in the competition that wouldn’t love playing behind those forwards. They’re big, tough and talented, constantly laying a fantastic platform for the rest of the team.

The problem is, the Dogs don’t capitalise on that platform anywhere near as much as they should. Great field position is often wasted. Where does the blame lay for that?

Moses Mbye and Josh Reynolds are both good footballers. However, their skill sets don’t quite mesh together.

Mbye is terrific prospect, with a lot of natural skill. However, at this stage of his career, he doesn’t quite have the presence, maturity and leadership of an elite-level half. His game management is lacking, and he doesn’t demand the ball in situations when he really should.

Granted, he’s 23 years of age, so the Bulldogs are investing much of his large contract in his potential, but I suspect they would also like to see some ‘return’ right now.

In time, Mbye may grow into the half the club wants him to be, but he’s not there yet, and that has implications elsewhere on the roster.

His halves partner, the man who proudly goes by the nickname of ‘Grub’, is a polarising player, but Sunday was a reminder that, for all his critics and flaws, Reynolds is an underrated player, for he does a lot of good things on the field.

His kicking game wasn’t too bad, plus he always brings intensity and effort – you could never suggest that Reynolds doesn’t give his all. Yet he does lack a certain level of polish in his game, and if you’re relying on him to do the majority of your fifth-tackle tactical kicking, you’re in trouble.

In related news, the Dogs relied on Reynolds to do the majority of their fifth-tackle tactical kicking on Sunday.

Des Hasler clearly believed that Josh Mansour was a weak link for the Panthers, because the Bulldogs consistently went to their right-hand side attack – led by Reynolds – and kicked to the Penrith winger.

On one of the rare occasions they went to the left, Mbye cut the Panthers defence to shreds and ran in for the opening try of the match. Why the Dogs didn’t attack down the left-hand side more often is anyone’s guess.

Something is not quite right with their halves partnership. Individually, Mbye and Reynolds are talented, but whether they’re the best fit for each other is a question that remains.

Mbye is contracted to the end of 2020, and Reynolds until the end of 2017, so a change would presumably have to wait another 12 months, but it may be in the side’s best interest to act sooner.

As for the rest of the backline, it lacks any x-factor or unpredictability.

There is no hulking, menacing centre who requires four defenders to bring him down. There is no blistering winger whose speed is a game-changer. There is no fullback whose support play and skills ensure the opposition need to prepare for a third ballplayer in attack.

Instead, there is just a collection of safe, reliable players who rarely let anyone down, but even more rarely blow a game wide open. Other teams in the NRL have game-winners in their backline, and it’s a luxury that becomes a necessity when your halves don’t quite gel.

I love the Morris brothers, but age and injuries have seen them morph into ‘serviceable’ players, rather than a pair providing penetration or pace. Will Hopoate – if he plays – could be described in much the same way.

The Bulldogs have become boring, and their backline requires more flair and dynamism.

Ironically, those qualities can be found in their forward pack, with James Graham and Sam Kasiano injecting most of the creativity and ball-playing into the side. Consider that sentence with the fact both players are props, and it highlights many of the Dogs problems.

Skipper Graham can be volatile emotionally, but he’s a brilliant forward who combines toughness with incredible skill. Invariably when the Dogs do get second-phase play or spin the ball wide, it’s because of him. Meanwhile, Kasiano’s offloads in traffic might be the team’s most potent attacking option.

All in all, I’d be loath to change much upfront, as the rest of the pack – including Josh Jackson, Aiden Tolman, Greg Eastwood and David Klemmer – form arguably the best collection of forwards in the competition.

Michael Lichaa has his critics, but I wonder whether coach Hasler’s instructions to his hookers is the real reason the rake is yet to really shine for the club.

Which brings us neatly to Des himself.

What irks most Bulldogs fans is the belief that these issues are not confined to this season alone; they’ve existed for some time now. This suggests that the head coach has either failed to address the problems, or that they are a direct result of his tactics.

Hasler wields a lot of power at Canterbury, and he gets the team he wants. He also coaches with a fiery, iron fist.

In short, he’s in charge. And when you’re in charge, you need to be accountable when things don’t go to plan.

A seventh place finish on the ladder – and a Week 1 exit – was surely not the plan. However, it is now the reality, and therefore something that needs addressing.

Des Hasler has forgotten more about rugby league than I know, and I bow to his knowledge of the game. Be that as it may, something needs to change at the Dogs: the coach, the tactics or some of the players.

Maybe even all three.