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The 2018 season was a tough one for the Bulldogs as they finished 12th and lost Aaron Woods just halfway through the year.
However, towards the end of the season, hope returned a number of juniors came through and looked the goods.
The likes of Rhyse Martin, Reimis Smith, Lachlan Lewis and Jeremy Marshall-King look like they can be the real future of the Bulldogs.
Now with Josh Jackson, David Klemmer, Will Hopoate – and the new signing which I find questionable, Corey Harawira-Naera, they have the makings of a top eight side.
Lachlan Lewis, in particular, looked very promising and should be given the keys to the Bulldogs offence and Marshall-King should be his partner.
The obvious issue with this is that the Bulldogs have on big money Kieran Foran ready to return and try and rebuild his career.
Foran in his Manly days was one of the best halves in the game. But the issue is that was five years ago and his presence in the Bulldogs top 17 may stunt or stop the development of these two exciting talents.
Lewis needs the ball in his hands often, he plays at his own pace and has a good kicking game and was improving game to game towards the end of the year.
Foran is a dominant player and will be the dominant voice on the field and while this can be very good for a young half making their way.
I believe this is not the case for the Dogs, Foran has slowed down and cannot run a team these days as his hamstrings will not stand up to this level of involvement.
Not to mention, he will also get in the way of Lewis and Marshall-King.
So what to do with Foran if Dean pay decides to go with these two young halves?
That is a hard question to answer as the Bulldogs back row is stacked and with the arrival of Harawira-Naera.
Now I wonder how all of these backrowers will get the minutes that they deserve, especially with Josh Jackson as captain easily smashing out 80 minutes.
Josh Jackson of the Bulldogs. (AAP Image/Dean Lewins)
They could turn Foran into a ball playing lock with the rise of Victor Radley and Cameron Murray.
The 90s had ball playing locks such as Jim Dymock, Jason Smith and Brad Fittler.
Radley and his ball playing added a great deal to the Roosters and his passes were able to get the likes of James Tedesco and Luke Keary on the outside of their man.
I feel Foran can play this kind of role.
His defensive game has always been strong and he would be able to handle the workload.
The 13 jersey may just save his career and allow the Bulldogs to build around their young new halves.
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