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.
BleakCity
Roar Rookie
There should be rules against front loading so many large contracts. I mean for one it makes a mockery of the cap, but essentially it's gambling your clubs roster for a quick run & grab at the title (which unfortunately for the dogs it ended with 2 runners up places) but it now leaves the club in an untenable position. Hard to feel sorry for them but the fans deserve better.
Dogs Of War
Roar Guru
Fullback has to be the position for him. He has the speed, and the ball skills to be that extra playmaker. Just not the main one.
Eddie Otto
Roar Guru
Cheers guys appreciate the feedback. I just think that Woods an Foran do not necessarily address the Dogs weaknesses being a lack of spark and pace. Foran has has injury issues and has generally been at his best with a dominant play maker alongside him. I know James Graham wasn't at his best however his influence around the dressing room will be missed. I just think the heart has been ripped out of the club in some respects and the Salary Cap situation is not ideal. Change of coach could be a big positive however Pay is a rookie and in my opinion will have his work cut out with that roster.
big daddy
Guest
You have rated the coach 3/10. How about administration 0/10 as far as I am concerned. They will need a lot more than Woods , Foran and inexperienced coach to do better in 2018. Also they have retained a lot of non performers and aged players.
Eye Of The Tiger
Guest
double post
BigJ
Roar Guru
I would have to say that thier best win was the comeback against the Knights (round 22 i think) was the best. of course Cowboys supporters would go round 26, but I think the win against the Knights was better. Things should look better from them next year as they have finally gotten rid of Hasler and can start to rebuild the club, but 2018 does not look great for the club
Adz Sportz
Roar Guru
Fair call... I wouldn't mind seeing Mbye at fullback. I could potentially thrive in that role, similar to how Micheal Morgan did for the Cowboys in 2014. I also believe Will Hopoate's best position is centre
The eye
Guest
Agree with TB regarding your preparation Eddie,good series thus far. I've never believed that this years Dogs roster wasnt good enough to make the 8..unfortunately there has been a huge gap between the proven ability of the run on side and their optimal performance over the last couple of seasons. It's a good backline for '18 nice balance of experience and youth..Montoya looks like hes going to be a quality finisher outside Brenko,pray that Forans right to go,depending on his off season, I'd be starting him with ex Sharkie Nu Brown, and bringing Mbye off the bench. The pack...Jackson,Woods,Klemmer,there's 3 current internationals..a more experienced rejuvenated Elliot and an un-bridled Lichaa..they're all quality... With due respect,shouldnt be anywhere near the spoon..
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
I disagree, Cleeland and Foran in the halves with Mbye at fullback or centre. As much as I was a fan of Frawley's at the beginning (probably symptomatic of how bad the 'Dogs were going), I feel he lacks the direction and creativity which Cleeland possesses.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Extremely grim season. I thought the worst game was the 36-0 to Manly in round 4. It set the tone for the season. The Dogs had lost tight games to the Storm and Roosters and beaten the Warriors. The Manly defeat and its nature came from the clouds and they never recovered. Best win was the following week when they beat the Broncs 10-7. Huge effort performance with Reynolds getting across the line four tunes. Wasn’t replicated though. Agree Jackson was the best. I’ve been pretty quiet but I’m astounded he missed Kangaroo selection. He’s a different player to Frizell so I can understand why selectors went that way but Jackson’s season was far better. He was better than Wade Graham as well. He was better at club level and outplayed Graham by a country mile at Origin level. I don’t think (hope??) 2018 will be as grim. As terrible as 2017 was the Dogs still beat five teams home. Also had six losses by six points or less. One loss by 7 points and one by 8 points. The attack was as bad as I’ve ever seen from any team. Slow motion plays, poor attacking structures,lack of strategy, non existent kicking game. But the biggest fault was playing too far from the line. They’d put on a slow mo second man play, the defence would readjust and just smash the ball recipient. No questions asked of the opponents D. I was hyper critical of the 2016 Dragons attack for exactly the same reason but 2017 Dogs were worse. It was blindingly obvious but as you say Hasler seemed out of ideas. Defence was pretty good all season. Big losses to Manly, Panthers and Broncos aside. Other than those games the defence was outstanding. But here’s the thing. Attack can be “tweaked” with good results. You can’t tweak your defence. I’d rather be starting from a base of good D and poor attack than the other way around. I think the last three weeks showed that guys like the Morris bros are not as washed up (or as slow) as people were saying earlier. Still roster issues that need to be sorted (Eastwood on 800K!!!) but it’s still a handy list. No speed? Agreed. But is that an absolutely necessary ingredient for success? Who are the Cowboys speed merchants? Roosters? Sharks? 2017 was absolutely dire. But there’s no way their attack will be as bad and as impotent but every chance the defence will be as good. Attitude and belief can’t be as bad as it was this season. No way they’ll be contenders for the spoon. Wishful thinking? Maybe. The sooner Pay makes Josh Jackson captain, the better. Really enjoying this series of articles too. Really good insights across a lot of teams, which can be difficult. You obviously know your stuff and watch a lot of footy. Thanks
Adz Sportz
Roar Guru
It will be interesting to see how they go next year under Dean Pay. Personally I'd start with Foran and Frawley as their starting halves and move Mbye to the bench as utility. And now that Michael Lichaa has re-signed, hopefully for the dogs he can produce the form and dangerous running game he showed in the last couple of rounds.
Adz Sportz
Roar Guru
It will be interesting to see how they'll go under new coach Dean Pay. Personally I'd start with Foran and Frawley as their starting halves and move Mbye to the bench as utility. And now that Michael Lichaa has re-signed for 2018, hopefully for the Dogs, he can continue on with the same good form and dangerous running game he showed in the last couple of rounds.