The Canterbury Bulldogs have been up for regular discussion over the off-season.
There was a lot of talk from a lot of players to the effect that things were different this year: “We are confident,” “We back the coach,” “It was the players’ fault,” “We will fix it,” and “We back each other”.
What this does is create pressure, and looking at the draw, the Bulldogs could well be 0-5, with upcoming games against the Roosters away, the Warriors in what is technically a home game, Manly away and Brisbane at home.
At best they could maybe win against Manly, but the pressure they have created will end in either the coach going very early or players being dropped.
The Canterbury board, or at least Raelene Castle, seem to love Des Hasler and are looking at re-signing him, so this leaves a player reshuffle. A reshuffle this year would obviously mean using current players with a view to change in the 2018 season, which could come about quite quickly if there’s a slow start to this year.
Earlier in the season Mbye stated he wanted Johnathan Thurston’s Origin jersey, yet this dream couldn’t be further away from reality – he’ll be lucky to hold onto a first-grade spot, let alone an Origin jumper. His kicking game, organising skills and general halfback play is barely of first-grade standard
Josh Reynolds has been giving excuses and apologising, saying he would change for the last two seasons. Enough is enough, and it’s time for Canterbury to move in a different direction. Again, his kicking game is amongst the worst I’ve seen in the NRL, and his passing game isn’t up to first-grade standard.
The Bulldogs need to bring in young halves to start over. New blood could enjoy playing around in a somewhat dominant forward pack, and it could stop this Mbye-Reynolds experiment – or is Des too stubborn to say he might have got it wrong?
Matt Frawley is a young organising halfback who could come in with Josh Cleeland at five-eighth. These two couldn’t do any worse, and both are players who have come up through the grades as halves. These kids could work to a new game plan without having to teach old dogs new tricks
Josh Reynolds could play from the bench and Mbye could maybe play fullback. Maybe it will be reserve-grade, as it’s unlikely there would be much interest from other clubs trying to pick them up
It’s time for Des to bite the bullet and put his coaching record on the line and try something new.
Fish
Guest
The problem is definitely the halves. They are just not up to scratch at this level. I would also move Hopoate back to the wing, he is too pedestrian in attack. I would give Brett Morris the gig at the back. They need his explosiveness if they want to continue with their sideways movements. What to do with Reynolds? I would have him come on at hooker as the forwards tire. I always liked him as a rake, he has the attitude for it. Mbye, gone. Some players just can't transcend the move from juniors to firsts, he is one of them. The dogs won't come last but gee I can not see them edging a spot in the eight without something changing. The game last night said more about the Roosters inability to concentrate then it did about the Dogs ability in attack.
Steve M
Guest
I believe Des is a good coach and sacking Des is not the answer as there is not enough proven quality coaches out there at the moment. Unless we can bring Tim Sheens back from England to bring back the Entertainers, then i won't be changing the coach. My opinion on the other hand would be a reshuffle the Bulldogs as they do have the tools to bring in some speed, power & creativity. Raymond faitala mariner starts, Eastwood to Bench. Kasiano starts, Tolman to Bench. Brad Abbey to fullback, drop Hopoate. Matt Frawley to Half, move Mbye to 5/8. Lichaa deserves a chance as previous playing style restricted him to be a tackle bag & this year has been given a licence to roam. Woolford to bench, drop Reynolds. We need more from the Morris twins. Kerrod Holland or Marcelo Montoya on the wing. If Mbye does not perform at 5/8, then drop or release & replace with Lachlan Lewis or Cleeland. No need to buy players as all we need to do is give the juniors a chance. Best player for the jumper needs to be in. Hasler is the man to lead them the way.
Matthew Russell
Roar Pro
I feel Frawley is a halfback and Mybe a running 5/8 I agree with the dean pay coach and people like Andrew Ryan being involved heavily, even bring back Steve price
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
I think the team going forward should be: 1. Will Hopoate, 2. Brett Morris, 3. Josh Morris, 4. Brenko Lee, 5. Kerrod Holland, 6. Matt Frawley, 7. Moses Mbye, 8. Aiden Tolman, 9. Craig Garvey, 10. James Graham, 11. Josh Jackson (c), 12. Greg Eastwood, 13. David Klemmer Interchange: 14. Sam Kasiano, 15. Josh Reynolds, 16. Danny Fualalo, 17. Raymond Faitala-Mariner Michael Lichaa can move on and find a new home, Jackson needs to be given the captaincy. Jim Dymock (or Dean Pay) to be promoted to head coach. Bring in another ex-Bulldog such as Andrew Ryan or Jamie Feeney to help develop a strong pathway for juniors in the area as Jersey Flegg coach. There are some good youngsters coming up through the ranks at Belmore: D'Rhys Miller, Jayden Okunbor, Brad Abbey, Reimis Smith, Renouf To'omaga, Josh Bergamin, Bronson Garlick, Darcy Maroske, Marcelo Montoya, Jayden El-Jalkh, Adam Keighran, Lopeti Mafi, Luis Strickland and Joey Tramontana all offer plenty of promise. If the Bulldogs want to take a drastic step forward, they need to bring back the Bulldog culture and Des Hasler is not the right man to breed that.