Sunday afternoon’s game between the Penrith Panthers and the Canterbury Bulldogs was one of the strangest matches I have watched in 2017.
After being heralded as Premiership favourites at the start of the year, the Panthers went into this game having made wholesale changes to their squad. With Peter Wallace out due to injury, Mitch Rein finally made his Panthers debut at hooker.
Injuries to Bryce Cartwright and Te Maire Martin falling out of favour meant that some additional changes were made too – Matt Moylan moved into the five-eighth position and Dylan Edwards replaced Moylan at fullback.
The final score line of 38-0 in favour of the Panthers suggests a team which dominated their opposition.
And it’s true – there were certainly positive signs for the Panthers, especially after some of the low quality football they have served up in the opening weeks of the competition (particularly in first halves).
Josh Mansour returned after a knee reconstruction which kept him on the sidelines for seven months. He made 195 metres in this game and scored a try, sending a powerful message to Blues selectors ahead of State of Origin Game II on 21 June.
Rein scored a double and Moylan eased into his new role at five-eighth and was a significant contributor as the Panthers piled on the points through Waqa Blake, Corey Harawira-Naera and Nathan Cleary.
(Photo: nrlphotos.com)
But I continue to be astonished at how quickly commentators were and continue to get carried away with the performance of the Panthers.
Granted, the Panthers have now recorded three wins in a row, but this is a team that is yet to beat a top eight side and whose wins have come at the expense of teams languishing in the bottom half of the table – the Newcastle Knights, Wests Tigers, New Zealand Warriors and Canterbury Bulldogs.
If you are a Panthers fan you have every reason to be optimistic, but the Panthers have a lot more work to do before they convince me that they have earnt their status as title contenders in 2017.
The next six weeks will be the real test. Except for perhaps Mansour, the Panthers are unlikely to be impacted by State of Origin so now is the time for them to make their push.
Heaping too much praise on the Panthers also forgets their opposition on Sunday afternoon.
If you are a Bulldogs fan, you have every right to be disgusted, particularly after the first half which saw the Bulldogs complete just over half their sets and miss 21 tackles.
So what’s gone wrong at Belmore? Where do we start?
After the Bulldogs lost three out of their first four games, the rugby league world had its fingers firmly pointed at Des Hasler. There were calls to sack Des immediately, or at the very least, not renew his contract past the 2017 season.
(AAP Image/Dean Lewins)
Then, following a win over the Brisbane Broncos, the club announced that Des had signed a contract extension which will see him remain at the club until the end of 2019.
When I look back on this, I wonder whether Des had a trick up his sleeve – like perhaps a guarantee about the signature of Kieran Foran which came not long after.
In the weeks that followed, everything seemed to settle. The Bulldogs defeated the Newcastle Knights and the South Sydney Rabbitohs and found themselves sitting in the top eight.
Since then, Bulldogs fans have watched a series of unfortunate events unfold in front of them.
First, Canterbury’s favourite son Josh Reynolds was subjected to long and protracted contract negotiations played out embarrassingly in the media.
What Reynolds lacks in raw talent, he has always made up with courage, competitiveness, determination and persistence. He can certainly be accused of caring too much about his performance on the field, but given a choice between a player who cares too much or too little, I know who I’d choose every time.
When he announced he had signed with the Wests Tigers, I found it difficult to listen to him speak about how disappointed and saddened he was to be leaving the club that means so much to him.
I know plenty of Bulldogs fans are disappointed to be losing him and after watching the Bulldogs halves on the weekend, I would be praying for a backflip.
To add insult to injury, Reynolds also suffered an injury in Round 9, which has coincided with things on the field also going downhill.
Since Reynolds’ injury, the Bulldogs have averaged just ten points per game. This weekend was the second time the Bulldogs have failed to score a point this season and the first time since 2008 that the Bulldogs have failed to score points at ANZ Stadium.
The Bulldogs now find themselves languishing in 14th position on the ladder. They have lost four games in a row (albeit to some strong competition including the North Queensland Cowboys, the Sydney Roosters and the Cronulla Sharks), but their loss on Sunday was the club’s biggest loss to the Panthers in 92 clashes.
Their attack is painful to watch. After having such high hopes for Matt Frawley, he has struggled at the top level since moving to the starting position and I cringed several times as he passed the ball to a player where they were, rather than where they were going.
(AAP Image/Dean Lewins)
Will Hopoate has been re-signed for an additional three years, despite, in my view being a safe player who offers very little in attacking spark and I still have no idea what position Moses Mbye and Michael Lichaa are best suited to.
I don’t think Kieran Foran and Aaron Woods are enough to fix this.
Leaving on-field performance to one side, what is happening off the field is equally as concerning.
The Bulldogs are a club that I have always considered to be fairly stable when it comes to governance.
However, a week and a half ago news broke that CEO Raelene Castle was resigning effective at the end of the year.
Read into this what you will, but my involvement in rugby league has taught me that if you do not have the support of the board, as a CEO you simply cannot survive and in a power struggle between Canterbury Bulldogs chairman Ray Dib and Raelene Castle, I know who I put my money on.
Rumours emerged over the weekend that David Klemmer was seeking a release immediately from the club. While this has been denied, where there’s smoke there’s fire.
Things are not right in Belmore at the moment.
The Canterbury Bulldogs need some drastic change both on and off the field – but with Des Hasler re-signed for another two years, it looks like Bulldogs fans are in for a couple more years of the same game plan.
Dogs of war? Not anymore.
Rod
Guest
Bottom line is that the players don't want Des to be there coach. Just as Souths players don't want Madge to be there coach. I think both sets of players like there coach. But they are not improving as players , not been challenged enough
Alex L
Roar Rookie
If you think having to do a lot of extra defensive work due to dropped footy is not playing a factor in the Bulldogs lack of offensive punch, I don't think you understand how fatigue works.
Bloody R Bull
Roar Rookie
Dogs are so BLOODY BAD at the moment, they would be making their fans so disappointing. But same as in the past, they may come good in the second half of the year (as they've done before). When it comes to tipping them at the moment, it's easy don't tip them. Des is stuck in his own coaching style and his own game plan, which both ain't working. His got his big names doing nothing to change my mind. (Or is he ???)
zac
Guest
frawleys not the answer tackles like a 5 yr old and dosnt run the footy I reckon hes rubbish
Mark
Guest
I'm surprised they let Kasisno go and signed woods. Kasiano is the only real aggressive, break the line and create opportunities forward they have. Although woods is okay, I think they could have spent money elsewhere, for example Tedesco. Klemmer who was great when he came on the scene is now just going through the motions as he's secured rep and club spots. Aidan tolman is relieable and consistent, so I have no issues with them signing him but I think they need to offload Eastwood. I think graham and woods might be good together. The bulldogs aren't the same club anymore, they don't seem to have the bulldog mentality and culture in the way they play. I'd like to see an ex bulldogs player coach again, maybe Steve folkes or someone like that. No wonder Steve Mortimer resigned.
Joe
Roar Rookie
The Dogs pack has gone missing the last few game. I have no idea what has happened to them, most of the players from 2012 pack are still there. You've still got Graham, Tolman, Klemmer, Sam K but they've just lost that mongrel that made them the most feared pack. I had high hopes for the Dogs this year based on their trial games and thought that Hasler had made the required changes to the way they play but they've pretty much just gone back to their old ways. Their best games though against three contenders in the Sharks, Rooster and Broncos show they have the talent but just can't seem to put it together for consecutive weeks. The game against the Panthers was pathetic...I don't think I've seen them play that badly before. Not sure what the solution is but they'll need to find it fast or they'll miss the 8 for the first time under Des.
Oingo Boingo
Guest
Would you be able to categorise these hangers on in a particular demographic Steve ?
Bunney
Roar Rookie
Money has amazing influence. Unfortunately, none of us are morally black and white - all of our morals reside upon a continuum, which dictates that under certain stresses and situations, we'll happily do things we wouldn't normally. The easiest examples are what you'd do in self-defence or defence of your family; how recklessly outside the law you would drive if you had a loved one in the back seat in need of medical attention. Unfortunately, Hoppa had his convictions quashed in order to continue earning good money. Might have been a realisation, real or imagined, that he could do more "good" with the money earned than he could by sticking absolutely to his conviction and going to church on a Sunday instead. Most likely, his manager hunted around and found not a single team willing to sign a contract with him that allowed him that stipulation, meaning play on Sunday and earn ~$500k p.a., or, get a real job earning less than $100k p.a. and go to church on Sunday. I'd play too.
Bunney
Roar Rookie
Yep. They've brought through Klemmer and Jackson, but inexplicably let Finucane go. WTF? Tolman is to the Doggies what Nate Myles is to the Qld SOO team. An old slow trundler with plenty of experience who'll try hard, but never break a tackle. He was bought from the Storm. Eastwood was purchased from the Broncs. Why have these players been shown more loyalty than up and comers like Finucane, and to a lesser extent, Kasiano? What they also need is some speed out on the edges. The Morris boys have lost it, Hoppa never had it, their halves don't have any, Holland doesn't have any... they are getting shut down because they're single-paced.
Bunney
Roar Rookie
I wholeheartedly agree that reaching the GF in 2014 was (counter-intuitively) a poor thing for the Doggies. Only the Storm and the Roosters were any chance of beating the Rabbits that year, and with Penrith stunning the Roosters in week 1, the Doggies side of the draw opened up. Kudos for getting there, but it was a fait accompli that they would lose the GF. Foran hasn't fixed the Warriors - he won't fix the Doggies either. They need a new gameplan, or new cattle all over the park. Hasler has shaped this team - he's signed every single one of them - and the current gameplan simply doesn't work. I was very surprised when he got re-signed.
Bunney
Roar Rookie
It feels like Hasler has fallen asleep at the wheel. His game plan in 2012, which overcame the clubs lack of a decent halfback was brilliant. But its 5 years later, and while there has been some personnel changes in the team, fundamentally they are exactly the same team, playing the same (but diluted) brand of footy, minus the energy. Frawley looked good originally because he played straight. When you've got a big rumbly forward pack, you play straight and tight, with short passes. Why they keep trying to play out wide is beyond me. Maybe because the pack, despite its reputation, is performing rubbish atm. Graham, Klemmer and Jackson are all deserved rep players. I like the look of Adam Elliot, always been a fan of Kasiano...why is this fwd pack getting beat?? I laugh whenever Hasler gets mentioned as one of the top coaches with Bennett and Bellamy. Not based on the last 4 years...
Bunney
Roar Rookie
I applaud your use of 'egregious' - one of my fave words. Perfectly executed
Johnybulldog
Guest
Im a very sad JohnyBulldog,but I love the Doggies & we wont be down & out for very long.Things change,times change,so these things happen...it's times like these that make victory even sweeter....keep the faith Doggies supporters...our time will come soon.
Chris Love
Roar Guru
Foran and Woods coming to the dogs gives Des a lot more options on how they play the game. I'd be moving on Aiden Tolman and Sam Kasiano also MBye and Lichaa. Bring through a couple of young boppers to replace Kasiano and Tolman and find a serviceable hooker to give Frawley and Foran clean ball. Hoppa is serviceable but he's not lighting anything up. Old man Flash Gordon at the Roosters is probably on far less money but showing weekin weekout how a fullback needs to play. I'd be pushing him wider and bring Morris back to the 1. If cash is available (not sure how without major moving son of players) I think Cody Walker from the Rabbitts would be an awesome fit for the dogs if he doesn't get an upgrade at Souths. Finding a decent hooker must be first priority though. I think the Dogs attack went impotent when Ennis left and need to fix it fast.
Mary Konstantopoulos
Expert
100% agree. I'm sure her phone has been ringing like crazy since she made the announcement.
Mary Konstantopoulos
Expert
Even the Hoppa situation confused me. He was pretty adamant that he didn't want to play Sunday's and then as soon as contract negotiations arose, suddenly this was back on the table.
parkhacker
Roar Rookie
There needs to be a huge turn around in form for the Bulldogs to have any chance against the highly competitive Dragons on Holiday monday. After 4 consecutive losses, the last against Panthers 38 to 0,team confidence and morale must be low.Josh Morris should go to fullback and with James Graham playing he hopefully will be able to inspire and motivate the players to a higher level.If we do not win on Monday our chance of making the finals for 2017 is practically zero.
Mary Konstantopoulos
Expert
TB, I want to say thank you for calling the article fair, because I was really interested in your response to it. The reason I noticed so much about Josh Reynolds is perhaps because I am such a big fan (and always go looking for him in the media and take notice). :)
Don
Roar Rookie
I admire his effort and he's certainly a tough little guy. I reckon he'll have a ball at the back of Packer & Matulino next year and Brooks steering things.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Reynolds is an underated player.