The Bulldogs come into season 2017 under pressure, with the board expecting Des Hasler to bring about some serious results.
Two of the Bulldogs greatest accomplishments in 2016 were a 42-12 thrashing of South Sydney on Good Friday and an even more impressive 40-14 dismantling of the Broncos in Round 16.
Thereafter, Belmore’s boys failed to beat any top-eight opponent, with their season punctuated by an unflattering loss to the Panthers in an elimination final.
The off-season
Will Des stay? Will Des be sacked? How long will he last? These questions and I imagine many more would have been swirling through the minds of Canterbury fans throughout the off-season. The coach was given a reprieve in early October and he appears to have the support of the playing group in the interim.
Des Hasler will need to polish the Canterbury attack in 2017 if he hopes to remain in the good graces of the front office. Coach Hasler’s widely practiced ‘run on fifth tackle to not concede a seven tackle set’ strategy was largely ineffective the longer the season went on. The Dogs defence was not one which could be relied upon to hold off opposition teams for repeated sets.
The offensive and defensive schemes of the Bulldogs both appear flawed, yet what have they done to address these in the off-season? Very little it appears. The Bulldogs downfall in 2017 will continue to be their lack of creativity and over reliance on stars Josh and Brett Morris to produce the goods time and time again.
What to look for in 2017
I am not bullish about the Bullies in 2017. The off-season rumblings regarding coach Hasler certainly have not put my mind at ease that this is a club in perfect harmony heading into a new season. The Dogs are due for a down year, and it might well be Des’ last year at the kennel.
I would hope that in 2017 Josh Reynolds once again reclaims and retains his starting position at the Bulldogs, not only because he is a fan favourite, but an on-field leader and talisman for this ageing roster.
The club continues to possess some exceptional forwards in James Graham and David Klemmer and hopefully Michael Lichaa can remain injury-free for the duration of the season to bolster their attacking and defensive combinations.
2017 prediction
The Dogs ended their 2016 season with no bark and no bite. I fear that 2017 may be a continuation of their late 2016 form. This is a team of experienced players who on their day will be able to turn it on and compete with the upper tier for the NRL for a half, or maybe 60 minutes at most.
I struggle once again to envision where the offensive creativity and flair will be generated. A brutal first month of the season sees Canterbury face off again Melbourne, Sydney, New Zealand, Manly and Brisbane. A tall order and season defining. They must get off to a good start if they hope to salvage anything from this season. I don’t think they will.
2017 prediction: 13th
NRL 2016 record: 14-0-10 (32 points – seventh)
Ins: Zac Woolford (Canberra), Brenko Lee (Canberra), Richard Kennar (Melbourne), Asipeli Fine (Wests Tigers)
Outs: Sam Perrett (retirement), Curtis Rona (rugby union), Tim Browne (Penrith), Tony Williams (Cronulla), Lloyd Perrett (Manly)
Rob
Guest
Can't see the Dogs finishing higher than 11th. Mybe and Kasino are the key men for them achieving anything. I'd be surprised if those 2 can keep it together for a whole season.
billyg
Roar Rookie
I hope he doesn't Johnny lol
The Barry
Roar Guru
I agree about the roster but I think the Dogs under performed last year - particularly in the last two months of the comp. so there's a lot of improvement in the squad without having to go outside it. They've lost Rona and Sam Perret to be replaced by Brenko and Kenar, plus Chase Stanley will be coming back from injury. Brett Morris missed the first half of the season and played the end on one leg. So I don't think they're much worse off in the backs. In the pack they've lost Lloyd Perret who's played a couple of games in a few years. Williams who has contributed little to nothing and Tim Browne who was an honest toiler and great clubman but not much more. I agree about the playing style and Hopoate at fullback.
JOHNY BULLDOG
Roar Rookie
Dessie will change things,don't worry about that mate.Go the Doggies.
JOHNY BULLDOG
Roar Rookie
Hmmmm,nah I won't set you on that one Deano-I reckon you may even get a bit more than that though!Anyway enjoy the start to the season mate,all the best & look forward to some healthy banter throughout the year.Go the mighty Doggies ;)
billyg
Roar Rookie
Is the roster and depth any better than it was in 2016? On first look, the answer is a resounding no. Bulldogs are one of the few clubs who haven't appeared to strengthen their roster, so anyone other than a died in the wool doggies supporter would find it hard to justify that there will be any improvement on 2016 results. Most will predict that they, like the Broncos, will go backward in 2017. How far backwards? Well that's up to Des to determine - if he reacts to 2016 and changes the style of play and allow the halves to ball play rather than distribute, then they are a bit of a chance. 2017 will be a telling year for the likes of Des, Mbye, Hopoate and Lichaa who, if things go as many predict, may be looking for a new home at the end of the season or their contract (whichever comes first). Having Hoppa as 1st choice FB shouldn't excite any one other John, he lacks creativity, pace and is unwilling to take a chance. Good luck in 2017..
Dean - Surry Hills
Guest
Ha Ha. Our minds do weird things! I'd probably get odds of around 20/1 for that bet. The calculation would be three multiple bets along these lines. Round 14 win X Round 26 win X higher ladder position Roughly $2.20 X $2.20 X $4.00 = $19.30 Would you want to really risk winning $50 for the chance to lose close to a grand? If so, then you're a braver man than me JB!
JOHNY BULLDOG
Roar Rookie
Ha ha Deano,now I can't get that tune out of my head.As a punter I'd be more than happy to accommodate you,but then that's getting complicated when it's time for me to collect :)
Dean - Surry Hills
Guest
Johnybulldog - I hope that wasn't in Outlook, and you've synced it to your phone! Put your money, put your money where your mouth is........Deano Tab.
Johnybulldog
Guest
I've marked em on the callander Deano....your a brave man.
Dean - Surry Hills
Guest
Here's a refresher course. The game was a classic, but yes............we were hard done by. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9PsdlNFie0
The Barry
Roar Guru
The 40% more wins is just a fact. You can twist it around with your "but if the refs hadn't ripped us off and we'd won instead..." all you like. It's a bit rich though when you're doing that and comparing me to a politician. The Dragons signings are all good players. No doubt but they don't solve the problem of why the dragons were sht last year and are going to be sht this year. Round 14 and 26 hey? Bring it on. Dogs will only need to get into double figures to win those games.
Dean - Surry Hills
Guest
We play you in rounds 14 and 26 this year. I will put my credibility on the line and predict that The Dragons will win both encounters, and finish ahead of The Dogs on the ladder. I will gladly take Vaughan, McDonald, and McInnis any day over Woolford, Lee, and Kennar - especially when your losses are Perret, Rona, and Browne. Des has been fully stitched up by the purse holders with regards to recruitment - and I'd bet my last dollar that Mortimer was somehow involved in the process. Your 40% more games won statistic is something akin to what The Liberal Party would trot out at election time. Change the poorly officiated fixture in round 21 where The Dragons were blindly robbed, and you would have only managed to win two more games in the season - and this is in comparison to a team that had the second worst attack in The NRL. I hate to say it, but your boys and Des, are gone this year. Dragons fans already know that there's little chance to make the 8. You're living in La La Land if you think The Dogs are capable of anything other than an ordinary year.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
The number one thing I noted in that trial was that the backs in general, and the Morris twins especially look fit and most importantly, fast -- both the twins have had a lot of lower leg injuries and it looks like they're in better shape than the last few years.
Johnybulldog
Guest
Cheers Joe,I was wondering how last night played out.Sounds like Dessie has made some much needed changes.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Settle down Dean-o. Who cares about the halfway mark? The Dogs finished 8 points clear of the dragons despite falling in a massive hole. Dogs won 40% more games. The Dogs scored 165 more points and conceded 90 fewer. Played the Dragons twice for two wins - including a spanking earlier in the season that you seem to have forgotten about. In fact the Dragons have only won one of their last ten games against the Dogs. Don't get ahead of yourself Dean-o. As bad as the Dogs were at the end of last season there's not a metric that suggests the dragons were anywhere near them. As for signings, you've recruited a handy prop and winger - neither looks like solving the problems of last year. I wouldn't be too stoked about the recruitment just yet.
Joe
Roar Rookie
Anyone who saw the first 20 mins of the trial against the Storm where they were up against the best Storm 13 and racked up an 18-0 score will be pretty confident of the Dogs this season. Everything that needed to be done in attack seems to have been done in the off-season. Lichaa is taking on the line and threatening, the halves were the main guys in attack and Hoppa was chiming in at just the right times. Kerrod Holland was outstanding at center and also converting tries from the sideline....just what is needed to win those close games. Also Kasiano off the bench was devastating as well as Francis Tualau who is working out very well. I think the Dogs have overcome their attacking woes and will be a force again this year.
Johnybulldog
Guest
Hmmm where's BigJ? I Thought he'd be on here having a "NICK" pick! ;)
Dean - Surry Hills
Guest
At the halfway mark of 2016 we were level pegging on 14 points. The last time we played, the Doggies snuck home (13 -10) on the back of some ordinary refereeing. Do you think a lot has changed since round 21 in 2016? This year, The Dragons have recruited way better. I'd say they're now pretty even.
The Barry
Roar Guru
On par with the dragons? In your dreams...