Dean Pay becomes Canterbury's new top dog

I don't think we'll go badly next year. Will be challenging for the top eight definitely, but whoever signed Eastwood, Tolman, and Mbye to such big contracts at the expense of Graham and Kasiano needs a kick up the RS.

Patience is the key word Terrence. Instant success is pretty much demanded and expected by fans these days. I'll be looking for effort and structure. Results won't worry me too much as long as we're not getting regular pastings. But I doubt that will be the norm. I think the Cowboys have been a revelation this year beyond just what they've achieved. They've shown a no excuses attitude. Even before their semis run they were showing up every week even when results weren't going their way. Admittedly not every club has a Morgan and JT13 but they've done it with JT and Scott benched and half their side busted. Hopefully it's shown others that less than maximum effort isn't acceptable...pardon the cliche!

Hi The Barry, Time will tell, though it would be unusual for a successful candidate to appoint an unsuccessful contender as an assistant. Usually when you pitch for the job, you also pitch the team you want to bring in (assistants, strength/conditioning, etc). No doubt 2018 might be a backward step for the dogs ladder wise, salary cap aside, two main signings contracts not registered (they will be though), I'd hardly pin a quick turnaround on Foran (till 2020) / Woods (till 2021). Foran's done little in three seasons, his body (and mind) are not right, he has the same lower back/hamstring injury that ended Michael Clarke's career. Woods, the jury is out, but a better buy than Foran. Pay's issue is that he will basically have to go with Des Hasler's squad, but one that's been weakened, he'll have to be very astute in roster management for a rookie NRL coach (or have a very experienced recruitment manager). 2019 might be a slight improvement, 2020 they might be challenging for a spot just inside the eight. Dog fans and management will need to be patient, a trait they historically have struggled with.

Is that true Eastwood 800 k? You have to wonder about salary cap management under Des. The Storm do It the best these days . They refuse to pay overs . I hope Dean Pay can become Dean Payless. You need to get value for money these days. I do wish him the best of luck. A strong Doggies side is good for the game.

Hopefully he didn't lose that famed bulldogs "culture" during those parramatta years

Thanks for the good news! I'm not sure on your take on Dymock. He's not the undermining type but surely there must be an element of frustration at getting a taste in 2011 and working as an assistant since. I'm not sure it will be a three year rebuild. Some of the backended contracts start winding up this year - most notably Eastwood, he alone will free up 800K in the cap. I'm not sure what you get for 800K these days but it's better than Eastwood. I think 2018 will be tough but we'll turn the corner from 2019 onwards.

Gives me the sheets too Baz,but Pay will sort him out or hopefully bring in these young back rowers which u have outlined before from the lower grades...trust me this will be sooooo good mate....enjoy Sunday We'll be there next year!

Hi The Barry, I reckon Pay will get rid of Dymock and bring in his own support staff. Dymock has been around the club too long and he'll want to get rid of a potential person who will undermine him. Pay will last three seasons and the Dogs won't make the finals in those years. It may be a slightly longer re-build than three seasons.

Hopefully mate...but every time I start getting my hopes up I remember we're paying Eastwood $800K next year!

All we need now is for Dymock to stay on as assistant!

This is great news for Doggies fans,Pay will be a breath of fresh air to the club & also teach Woodsy how to whack properly! Hey Baz,at least this has come early so Pay now has more time to implement his systems..I reckon they'll be raring to go come round one next year mate.

I think a 3 year contract would have been better for both parties. Maybe the Bulldogs board are a bit hesitant after the fiasco over Hasler's extended contract this year. Great Bulldog's player who knows their culture inside out. I doubt the Bulldogs will ever look outside their own for a coach ever again. Des 's record was pretty good the first few years in my opinion, but the back end was very ordinary. I don't think anyone could believe it when his contract was extended this year.

Seems the obvious and correct choice to me.

Cheers Riley. While I'm excited at the prospect I hope Pay's given a bit of time to get settled and turn things around. There's a lot of work in front of him in terms of rebuilding the culture, repairing the roster and restructuring the teams attack. It's a lot to ask of any coach but certainly a big ask of a rookie. In two years. With a new CEO. It's unrealistic that the Dogs will be firing from round one next year. Shame for Jim Dymock. He did really well in his brief stint in 2011 and there's a few rumours that he took the reins for the last three weeks of the season this year when they got three wins. I hope he's still part of the club moving forward.

The Bulldogs have confirmed it through an email to club members. ----- The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs today announced Dean Pay as the new Head Coach of the club for the next two seasons. Pay, has a strong connection with the Bulldogs, having played 108 games for the club between 1989-1995, including being part of the 1995 Premiership winning side. He also had a strong Representative career, playing for New South Wales in 12 State of Origin matches, in addition to 9 Test matches for Australia. Pay's coaching background is just as impressive. Having been Assistant Coach under Kevin Walters at the Catalans Dragons in 2009, he was then U20 Coach with the Storm, under Craig Bellamy between 2010-12, followed by Assistant Coaching roles at Parramatta (2013) and Canberra (2014-Present). Pay's Representative coaching record with the New South Wales State of Origin Under 20's is exemplary, having won all 5 series that he coached in between 2012-16. Bulldogs Chairman Ray Dib was delighted with the appointment: "We are extremely happy to have been able to secure the services of Dean Pay for the next two seasons. Dean, is a Bulldogs man through and through and someone who totally understands the history and tradition of the club. He was an outstanding player with the club and has carried that over into his coaching career, where he has worked under some excellent coaches, as well as showing that he can lead from the front with his superb record with the NSW Under 20's side. We want to bring back the Bulldogs culture of old and feel strongly that Dean is the man to do this." Pay was excited at what lies ahead: "It's a tremendous honour to be offered the Head Coach's role at a club that I loved playing for. Having learnt under some great coaches I now believe that the time is right for me to step up into the Head Coach's role. The Bulldogs have a great history and tradition and I’m looking forward to the chance to work with a talented group of players, where respect and discipline will be the cornerstones of how we go about our business. The club has great foundations, facilities, staff and an incredible fan base. It is important that we work hard to make our supporters proud."

Hope this is true!