Departing Canterbury star Josh Reynolds faces a nervous wait after injuring a calf muscle in the Bulldogs’ 28-14 defeat South Sydney at ANZ Stadium.
Reynolds limped off midway through the first half on Thursday night, raising fears the Wests Tigers-bound five-eighth may have played his final game for the Bulldogs.
Coach Des Hasler, who said prop Sam Kasiano also hurt his chest, put on a brave face when asked about Reynolds’ status.
“He’s done a calf, he’ll be sent for scans. Calves don’t always have the happiest of endings, do they? It must be bad for Josh to come off the field,” Hasler said.
Reynolds’ potential loss would add more salt to the wounds of a hurting Bulldogs faithful after watching their side slump to their 10th loss in their past 12 matches.
Rabbitohs skipper Sam Burgess also exited in the second half after aggravating a rib injury but is confident the injury wouldn’t keep him out for any time.
Rabbitohs fullback Alex Johnston reclaimed the lead in the NRL’s top tryscorers list with two tries in a strong performance, while Burgess twins George and Tom both cracked the 100m.
Rabbitohs coach Michael Maguire said he was proud of the way his team accepted their season fate but continue to show signs of life at the back end of the year.
“I said last week I was proud of the players. Once again I’ve been very impressed with how the boys have handled this last month,” Maguire said.
“Just to see the young boys come in and play the way they have been.
“And obviously with our leaders taking them under their wing making sure that they do all the little things through the week, it’s allowing us to get some good performances.”
It was yet another uninspiring display from Hasler’s men, who twice came up with errors in sets after both their tries to hand the Rabbitohs back-to-back victories.
The Bulldogs trailed 14-2 at the break but they got back into the game when Chase Stanley pounced on a dropped bomb to score under the posts.
But the thought of a comeback for their fans barely lasted for the crowd of 8247 as a Bulldogs error ended in Johnston completing his brace on a left-side shift just minutes later.
The Rabbitohs then made it a three-try lead on Adam Reynolds’ bullet-like pass for Aaron Gray.
Bulldogs skipper James Graham replied with a try from close range, but utility Matt Frawley fumbled the ensuing kickoff and the Rabbitohs sealed the win with a penalty goal soon after.
Both teams started with plenty of intent but Bryson Goodwin’s opening try took the air out of the Bulldogs’ sails in just the sixth minute.
The visitors copped another quick gut punch when Reynolds exited for the night, and then Damien Cook opened their defence up minutes later for Johnston’s first try.
steveng
Roar Rookie
You can't blame the coach only, the Dogs are a rabble and most of them don't have a go. There has to be a complete 'clean out' and certain players, be given an ultimatum, if they want to stay at the Dogs. Des has to drop Frawley, he's not much chop, continually drops the ball and takes the wrong options, Stanley, doesn't have much of a clue, Graham, is doing nothing (he was lucky to score that try, Souths defence was poor and they should have stopped him. Klemmer, never passes the ball, just runs one up, Tolman, just runs up and takes the tackle also and you can add a few more, who are doing the same and doing nothing. This 'one up' running is terrible, very similar to what Souths were/are doing which Madge (thank god) is in the process of changing. There's allot of hard and hair pulling times coming up for Des (if he will still be there?) in 2018, if things continue like they are.
Rob
Guest
Heya TB, lol every week I say I'm not going to watch but I do and after last night I said I was done with league for now but of course I can't help myself as I love my Dogs! I think when Montoya was teamed up with Stanley on the right side defensively they were much better. Lee continues to rush up out of the line leaving Montoya in 2 minds on what to do and as they said last night there is no communication. Stanley for mine in a one on one aspect reads and defends better than Lee which helps the youngster on his outside. Kasiano or as I call him "Mr. half a season"is exactly that. Gives you half a season on excellent football than pretty much does nothing else. Josh is Mr. consistent but I feel now he is probably worried about his future since it has been reported they are trying to shop him around since they have options for centres. I feel so sorry for him because since coming to the Dogs he has been one of our best and most consistent players and doesn't deserve this treatment. I can kind of understand about shopping Bmoz as he hasn't been with us as long. For me the season was over once word got out of them trying to sign Foran, Tedesco and Woods. When everything played out in the media and the salary cap drama with the Dogs then starting to shop around players that was it. Old school players would have been playing for their future but in this day and age contracts are not worth the ink wasted to print them up so people just give up to easy. Backended deals are the death of any club because realistically a player gets worse in time unless they are a JT or Cam Smith. It's rare to find these players so I can not understand why you would back end a deal especially for the likes of Greg Eastwood who gets gased easy. End of the day the interchange rule severely stuffed up Hasler's game plan even though he probably should have given it up before the rule came in and started to re-sign all the forwards not leaving much for the backs. in hindsight if he had his time again things would be different but they ended up in a hole and knowing full well that 2 running halves with no true kicking abilities wasn't working out to well he started relying too much on statistics for answers hence being tackled on last tackle rather than kicking. I believe if they just tweaked a few things with the roster they have they could have been much better but for reasons we will never know he didn't try to mix it up too much like how about just throw Brad Abbey out the back for the remainder of the year, put Hoppa in the centres to replace Lee at the moment for at least a game or 2 to see if it makes a difference and just give Frawley the reigns and have Mbye the running half and to play to what he sees. Maybe Des is trying to get sacked although I find that a little far fetched as it would make it hard for you to find another job..... I wouldn't mind seeing what he can do with Foran but I also wouldn't mind seeing someone else have a go now just for the sole fact that a new coach can put the players on notice and hold them responsible for poor performances. I think some of the players are too comfortable and don't fear being dropped.
The Barry
Roar Guru
He wasn't good last night but his season as a whole has been good and he's been the only dog looking threatening. But geez he makes some poor reads in defence. But having said that he's been with the squad since the start of pre-season. Montoya has been in the team for most of the year. Shouldn't they just be drilling these two week after week? Shouldn't they start every session having the Dogs left side attack peppering the right side defence? Maybe they have. Maybe that's the problem and why the defence can't deal with bodies in motion and set plays.
JOHNY BULLDOG
Roar Rookie
um......um.....um.....um.....learn how to speak properly Hasler & f#!k off outa my club!
JOHNY BULLDOG
Roar Rookie
Totally agree Baz,well said as usual mate...Can't wait for massive change to occur!
fix the scrums
Guest
Bit of a sad game that one. The dogs were awful. The only thing that made me laugh was when they said there was 8,000 people there. More like 800.
PNG Broncos fan88
Roar Guru
Admire the staunch support for your club. There is life in the reggies, no doubt. Even though I back the Broncos, I want the Bulldogs to be the force we all know they can be. The comment above was just to show my frustration as well. Want happened to loyalty and the family roots inspired in the yesteryears by the Mortimers and the Hughes. The mercenaries' are doing this club over, pride for the jersey/emblem has gone. I just hope this is the lowest of lows they can go with the current crop of players and coach. If nothing changes in the 2 more years Hasler has remaining, God help Canterbury!
The Barry
Roar Guru
With second tier salary cap you can't just sack the whole team and bring in the reggies. Besides which the Dogs are on a massive form surge at the moment in NSW cup. They're sitting fourth with a bye in hand this week. Its the only way we'll see the Dogs in semi final action and I don't want the young blokes poisoned by being part of this team. Rhyse Martin is a fast, skilful, mobile goal kicking backrower. The week before last he scored two tries and kicked 7 from 8 and made the NSW cup team of the week for the seventh time. Last week he scored two tries and made TOTW for the eighth time. He's currently second on the point scoring table. Josh Cleeland is playing 5/8. Sitting third on the try scorers list. Made the TOTW for the seventh time. Guys like Tom Carr, Reimis Smith, Renouf To'omaga, Francis Tualau, Rod Griffen, Andy Saunders are killing it. Guess what - Michael Lichaa played half a game last week and came up with two try assists and three line break assists and made TOTW. I know it's a step down but has he ever looked like doing that at NRL level? Why not? Maybe it's not all at his feet. Keep them out of first grade until Hasler fks off. If they win the Intrust play off they can be promoted to the NRL.
Albo
Guest
Spot on Barry ! Graham is either seriously injured with that neck problem or he has lost all form and interest. Seeing him picked up and dumped on his back by young teenager Cameron Murray ( who is a star in the making ! ) in a one on one hit, was rather disturbing, for one normally so committed.
Deano70
Guest
Brenko Lee??? Looked threatening? You're kidding, he looked overweight and disinterested. I was thinking that he epitomises Canterbury's dilemma, way below NRL standard, unfit, heads not in the game. This dogs side are the worst dogs team I have seen in the 40 odd years I've watched the game, by a long stretch
PNG Broncos fan88
Roar Guru
Brenko Lee is the only one who looks like breaking the line in attack. Jarryd Hayne let in 50 points last week, whats new??
M.O.C.
Roar Guru
Not sure they want Lee still on the field - his guide-dog's leash and his white cane might trip people over......actually that might effect more tackles then Lee did last night...OK, keep him and his dog.
HarryT
Guest
The Doggies exert no defensive pressure at all. By not rushing the attack you give the opposition all the momentum and it is you that is getting hurt when big bodies have a 15 metre run up. It gives the opposition time and confidence....gee, the Doggies defense even managed to make the Burgess twins look great. So, if you are getting battered in attack and defense, then your body has a lot of recovering to do and this is when you have problems with physical and skills training. I don't think that the Doggies players lack heart, skill or fitness. I think it is the coach's game plan that has left them permanently jaded from early on in the season. Look closely and you will see how physically stressed the players are after 20 minutes of the game. This is the reason that they have no zing in their attack and so little desperation in their defense.
PNG Broncos fan88
Roar Guru
3 rounds to go, give the overpaid stars a break by sending them to Bali or wherever for early holidays. Leave RFM, Fualalo, Montoya, Lee, Frawley on the paddock and fill in the remaining spots with the feeder club and u20's players. Promise these young guys that there performances could earn them a bigger contract if/when they sever ties with the overpaid guys on holiday.
M.O.C.
Roar Guru
It goes along the with pre-game circular man-cuddles.
Jimmmy
Guest
TB, sorry mate I don't have any answers for you but I do know one thing. The Dogs are a winning club and will not tolerate this cr@p for too long. Des will go along with a all the players who are passengers . Yes this may mean a slow rebuild but that's preferable to continuing with the stuff served up ATM. I am a Cows fan and I can tell you the early years were hard to take. We really needed that one player to build a a club around and then we managed to get JT. That's what the Dogs need. A super competitor with some tactical nous. ( Reynolds had the first but lacked the second) . Yeah! I know , JTs are thin on the ground but I think Croft at the Storm, Lamb at the Knights and Taylor at the Titans may be that type of player. I really hope Foran works for you guys. I have a lot of time for him as a player . He has tactical vision and can be a real competitor. I just have a few concerns about his mental state , ( and maybe his hamstrings).
AGordon
Guest
He's got a few mates, The Barry. Some of the mistakes made over the past few games by the Bulldogs would have shamed an U12 side, yet they pat each other on the back and continue to play woeful football. I wonder when they started thinking about Mad Monday - not all but a few haven't had their heads in it since round 10. PS patting a player on the back when they make a stupid mistake does my head in. Obviously a New Age Sensitive Guy thing.
M.O.C.
Roar Guru
The thing that really stood out for me was Hassler. He seemed too calm, uninterested, benign and frankly not angry. Camera shots of the coaches box showed a man up the the gills on Valium. Having said that the entire team looked like they had Valium on board last night - the good news for the Bulldogs is that there is clearly no cocaine problems there!
The Barry
Roar Guru
The biggest symptom of the troubles for mine is Josh Morris. He's always been the consummate professional. Very few errors. Good in defence, good in attack. Ultra consistent. In the last three weeks or so he's playing like he's had a lobotomy and his hands and feet have been swapped around.
M.O.C.
Roar Guru
I agree TB. I am amazed that in a team full of past and current rep players there can be so little effort, thought or care. I suspect that last property is the problem - they don't care. I accept that they are having problems within the club and they seem completely defeated mentally but as professionals surely just "going through the motions" would be better than the dross dished up last night.