Canterbury are staring down the barrel of their worst start to a season since 1964.
Heading into Saturday’s NRL clash with the Gold Coast at spiritual home Belmore, Dean Pay’s side are poised to inherit the club’s most unwanted piece of history.
No one could accuse the Bulldogs of lacking heart or determination during the first half of the season but they’ve lacked polish and execution in limping out of the gates with just three wins.
Not since 2010 have they been so poor out of the blocks, according to Fox Sports Stats.
However if they drop to 3-11 against the Titans, it will be their worst opening to a year since their disastrous 1964 campaign which saw “the family club” win just once on their way to the wooden spoon and rugby league great Clive Churchill sacked as coach.
No one is pointing the finger at Pay – he inherited his squad and a salary cap mess which could linger for years.
Fullback Moses Mbye is leaving for the Wests Tigers following Saturday’s match, while Aaron Woods has been in talks with Cronulla to depart before the June 30 transfer deadline.
However there’s a feeling things are going to get a lot harder before they get better for the Bulldogs.
So what’s going wrong for Pay and his men? Plenty have highlighted their inability to score – they’ve posted the fewest tries in the league with 30.
Over their past five starts, they have recorded one win against cellar dwellers Parramatta and lost the others by six points or less.
“We score one more try we win another six games. That’s the difference,” Pay said.
“So we’re not that far away but we’re not getting the wins that we want.”
Gold Coast coach Garth Brennan said the Bulldogs’ lowly position belied their quality.
“Where they sit on the ladder is quite deceptive to be honest,” he said.
“They have a strong pack, they have two international front rowers in Aaron Woods and David Klemmer, then Josh Jackson who is an Origin player, there’s Will Hopoate, (Brett) Morris – you have got some representative players in that side.
“It will be a challenge playing them at Belmore, it is very emotional for them but it is important that we get the job done.”
Paul
Roar Guru
I certainly hope Manly comes good and I actually have little doubt they will eventually. I badly need a side to hate!!
Forty Twenty
Guest
Who knows what the future holds Paul. Manly were in diabolical shape soon after the Northern Eagles and almost became extinct. The Sharks were in big trouble not long ago and won a title. Manly copped some terrible maulings soon after the Northern Beagles fiasco but some good players were developing. Something similar is possible now.
Paul
Roar Guru
I think Pay's doing a great job, all things considered. As he rightly pointed out, they score one more try against sides like Souths, Penrith, Easts, Saints, Brisbane, Cronulla and the Tigers, they are way up the ladder. It's going to take a while for them to get back on their feet, but they are in way better shape than the Sea Eagles, for example.
Forty Twenty
Guest
A lot of woes at the Dogs were put down to not having a coach who 'gets the culture' under Disco Des's tenure. I could be wrong but it's only Ricky Stuart and Dean Pay who are coaching the team they played for. Maybe both clubs would be higher on the table under Anthony Seibold. * The Warriors as well?