After playing in two of the past five grand finals heading into the season, no-one was quite sure where the Bulldogs would end up. Now, after a terrible season and the departure of coach Des Hasler, we can review their year.
Season finish -11th (10 wins, 14 Losses, 360 Points Scored, 455 Against)
Season Rating 3/10 – To be honest, 11th spot probably flatters the Bulldogs considering the putrid brand of football they played for the majority of the season. They ended up winning their last three games, however still managed to only score a total of 360 points, the worst in the NRL, averaging just 15 per game.
Click here to read the rest of Eddie’s season reviews.
The Bulldogs were unwatchable for large parts of the season, with a clunky spine and slow forwards playing well behind the advantage line, in an attack that looked from a bygone era. They tackled hard for the majority of the season, however they looked like a roster and a club in need of a major rebuild, with several players either on too much money or over the hill.
Coach Rating – Des Hasler (3/10)
Des was finally put out of his misery at the Bulldogs, being officially sacked after 12 months of constant speculation. When you strip everything back, Hasler has a fantastic record at Canterbury, having made the finals five years from six and was twice a beaten grand finalist, going down in 2012 to Melbourne and 2014 to Souths.
However, it’s clear he has mismanaged the roster, having paid too much money for underperforming players and created a style of football that was not penetrating. I’m sure Des hasn’t forgotten how to coach, however this season he was clearly out of ideas at Canterbury, and both he and the Club could benefit from a change.
Best Win (Round 26 – Canterbury Bulldogs 26 St George Illawarra Dragons 20 @ ANZ Stadium)
I choose this win as the Dogs eliminated a rival from the finals, and played some entertaining football in the process. It looked like Des had ripped up the game plan and told the team to go out there and throw caution to the wind, and players like Michael Lichaa, Will Hopoate and the Morris brothers, who had experienced a tough year, really showed some spark in this game despite it being way too little, too late, in the overall scheme of the season.
Worst Loss (Round 17 – Canterbury Bulldogs 0 Penrith Panthers 38 @ ANZ Stadium)
There were many anaemic displays by the Bulldogs in 2017 but none worse than the shut-out they were pitched to by the Panthers in a 38-0 drubbing in front of their own fans. The Bulldogs’ defence had been pretty stout for most of the season, however they had no answers in this game and it really signified the beginning of the end of Des Hasler’s reign at the Club.
Best Player – Josh Jackson
I think it’s hard to go past Jackson as he was a consistent workhorse and remains a player at near the top of his game for Club and State. I thought Will Hopoate did a reasonable job at the back for most of the season, and David Klemmer toiled away, but other than that it was slim pickings as far as standout players go.
(AAP Image/Daniel Munoz)
Most Disappointing Player – Moses Mbye
Mbye just hasn’t developed into anywhere near a reliable and consistent playmaker in the NRL. I’m not really sure where his best position is, but I don’t think it is halfback, as his kicking game is poor and passing game is inconsistent. At the crossroads, as a player he might flourish under a different coach, but I wouldn’t be holding my breath.
2018 Prospects (Grim)
Look away Bulldogs’ fans – getting rid of Des won’t solve the Club’s roster and salary cap woes. Not only have the Bulldogs lost their inspirational captain James Graham, and heart and soul player Josh Reynolds, but they still have to shed at least one big name player to get both Kieran Foran and Aaron Woods on the books.
I don’t have a large amount of faith in Foran’s head space and, whilst Woods is a solid addition, the Bulldogs need an injection of speed, and they haven’t got it. I think they are wooden spoon contenders.
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