Crisis? What crisis?
That’s the attitude of Canterbury coach Des Hasler and skipper James Graham following their side’s pressure-relieving victory over NRL heavyweights St George Illawarra on Monday.
After a week of turmoil and negative headlines following their 38-0 thumping at the hands of Penrith, the Bulldogs changed the conversation by holding the Dragons – who up until Monday led the competition in every major attacking stat – try-less for the first time this year.
It snapped a four-game losing streak and was the first time since 2013 that the Bulldogs had held a side scoreless, as their goal-line defence repelled multiple raids from a wasteful Dragons outfit.
The club’s head honchos including Hasler, chairman Ray Dib and CEO Raelene Castle will on Tuesday address a fan forum at Bulldogs Leagues Club.
Members were invited to the Q&A session after Hasler did not appear at a similar meet-and-greet last week.
They were expected to face some torrid questions from their ticket holders however the side went a long way to easing the displeasure amongst the rank and file with the victory over the fourth-placed Dragons, which lifted them to just two points behind eighth-placed Penrith, going into next week’s bye.
“There really wasn’t much difference week to week,” Graham said.
“A lot has been hyped up in the press. To tell you the truth I think that’s what it is.
“We’ve tried to remain calm. You don’t need to be Freud to work out we’re not happy with how last week went.
“That’s more like the performances that internally we expect. From an external point of view most of the pundits had us outside the eight anyway. They’re complaining about where we are but it’s where most people tipped us to be.”
Hasler also took a shot at the press after hooker Michael Lichaa scored a second-half try to seal the result, claiming his No.9 had been unfairly criticised this year.
“I don’t think his form has been terribly inconsistent,” Hasler said.
“You’re right about the whipping boy. You’ve all had a fair crack at him.
“I thought he was good today and he did what he had to. He was really tidy and he’s been defending really well. He’s just responded.”
Prop David Klemmer said all the players had come under criticism and that he had even had people approach him in the streets to give him a piece of their minds.
“We had people spraying us left, right and centre and I think we responded well,” Klemmer said.
“Everyone’s got their own opinion and they’re very passionate supporters. We bunkered down and did it for ourselves.”
Big Daddy
Guest
Its not just your club. When I mean fickle they vote with their feet. Apart from your match and broncos on Friday night crowds were pretty ordinary. You will see South's crowd drop off when they find they won't make eight. Only 5k for manly home match is pretty ordinary. I think its up to clubs as well as NRL to start promoting in some way. I think programming by NRL has a lot to do with it. Too many Thursday nights. Should be more Sunday afternoons. Nothing worse for a club playing matches in empty stadiums - doesn't give you a lit of confidence if you don't have crowd support.
TigerMike
Guest
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The Barry
Roar Guru
All teams do have highs and lows. But it's not being fickle to expect your team to show up and put in an effort every week. If they put in and they lose, they lose. But not showing up and getting flogged 36-0 and 38-0 in quick succession isn't acceptable, particularly when the next week they come out and beat top four sides.
Joe
Roar Rookie
They really need to put the pressure on Des and the players every week they might start to have consistent performances. Last time he was under pressure they beat the Broncos and this time the Dragons. They have the players to do very well but they just seem to lack that motivation. Bulldog scandal every week should help them.
Big Daddy
Guest
That's all Canterbury need the head honchos as you call them getting involved. I think they are part of the problem. Sounds a little bit like panic stations too me. It is what it is. All teams will have highs and lows. Rugby league fans are so fickle.
Emcie
Roar Guru
I think its a bit concerning that this is the second game this season where they've come out and had a blinder after copping heavy critisism for some inept perfomances. The gulf between what they're capable of when they're motivated and what they turn in for the rest of the season is a worry.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Pressure off? Maybe if we start to see some consistency in performance, but if this leads to slowly increasing insipid efforts and ANOTHER 30-odd to zip flogging then there's no pressure off whatsoever. I'm resigned to the fact that this team is rarely (if ever) going to look silly smooth in attack. Which means we have to rely on effort to get results. When there's no consistency in effort there's big problems.