Round 23 of the Telstra Premiership kicked off with an arm-wrestling match-up between the three in a row Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and the Parramatta Eels.
There was a lot on the line for both clubs, Parramatta searching for a possible top four position and Bulldogs hoping to keep the dream of a finals fairy-tale alive. A what a fairy-tale we could have on our hands.
Even at a whopping $51 to make the top eight, Josh Jackson’s Bulldogs are reluctant to give up. Being led around by a healthy general in Kieran Foran and his charming apprentice, Lachlan Lewis, the Bulldogs are building something that the public viewed would only start to happen next year – the club returning to better days.
The team who were stuck at the bottom of the ladder during the start of the season have gelled together, moulding a proud attitude.
“We deserved that I think. We had a really tough training session the week before the Penrith game and since then, there has been a real shift,” Lachlan Lewis said after last weeks game against the Rabbitohs.
Any coach would have loved to be a fly on the wall during that training session. In five weeks, the club has gone from a 28-6 loss in Brisbane to only conceding five tries in the past four games.
The playing group have certainly bundled into a tighter side since and there is no better example then the incident between Nathan Brown and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak.
Paramatta’s hot headed Nathan Brown was on a hunt for blood. The three defensive sets leading up to the shoulder charge, Brown was rushing out of the line trying to make a big collision to get his squad motivated.
Frustrated he couldn’t get the shot legally, Brown decided to make it by breaking two rules; an illegal shoulder charge and a late tackle.
As the Bulldogs players were watching the replay of the shoulder charge that Brown will likely spend 2-3 weeks on the sideline for, their skipper Josh Jackson wasn’t going to let the Brown get sent to the bin without giving him a few choice words, “f***ing wanker, f***ing late and f***ing shoulder charge.”
Brown and Jackson grab collars and it’s on… well, not quite.
As soon as Brown and Jackson square up, nine out of 13 Bulldogs players on the field are in among it, backing up their leader. But where were the Eels? The team didn’t seem to have much urgency at all to defend their teammate. That moment is where the game was won.
The Bulldogs have taken to their holidays early. (AAP Image/Dean Lewins)
This instance is similar to Wally and MG, or Arthur Beetson hitting Mick Cronin in the first State of Origin.
It’s a leader stepping away from the professional, example setting role, and being a protector for his players.
Josh Jackson could’ve been like any other captain and just let the referees do their job, but in sticking up for his players in that moment, he achieved what Nathan Brown was trying to get, a lift.
Josh showed his team that he was going to give his all for them, he was going to fight for them, and he wasn’t going to let them down.
In response, his team lifted for Josh, putting in massive defensive effort to stop Maika Sivo from scoring multiple tries and not showing any sign of weakness in the last two minutes where they defended their line.
In rugby league there are many small moments like this in a game that doesn’t necessarily get recognised but has a massive effect on the outcome of a game.
On back to back wins against top eight teams, the Bulldogs have their rosary beads out for 11 games in the next three weeks to go their way to achieve their fairy-tale of bottom place to finals.
The odds are against them, but their heads are held high, proud to be Bulldogs, and it’s going to be very enjoyable watching how they string performances together next season.
Ken
Guest
In all fairness brother you are kinda hijacking this post with the storm defence, but being a storm supporter an just over the crazy over the top hatred , I do understand , Finch quite rightly asked the Souths GM to comment after he went on about the " Spirit of the game " when the last game he had 2 players deliberately drop elbows into defenceless players heads an throats..the responding comments were " pull your head in finch ...your team are grubs, your a joke finch.".To be clear Nelson Asafa Solomona should have been charged for a clumsy crusher a few weeks back, Cameron smith may have rubb a players ear roughly ( I'm.embarrassed to mention it lol omg if u have never given a player a facial in a game than you've never played league but ohh the outrage). This year Souths have had " cannonballs, crushers, eye gouge , swinging arm ko , elbows to throat an head" but Souths wanna talk about the " Spirit of the game " , dont deflect it's a fact Souths are the dirtiest team this year.
BA Sports
Roar Guru
You sound like a bit of a romantic Dec :) I think you would find the majority wouldn't be so kind to Mr Smith. Cameron Smith could help an elderly nun across the street and people would say he was dragging her too fast, but anyone else does it and they are a saint. Its like Kerrod "Chicken Wing" Holland. Can't make a tackle without trying to force an arm out of a socket... but anyone in purple does it...
Declan
Roar Rookie
I think from a neutral point it would all be the same. If Smith did it if anything I would be more impressed with how out of character it would be but still praise him for sticking up for his players. I think what makes it seem so courageous and noble is that it is a team that struggles. Bulldogs are kinda like the battler team and whenever you see a battler 'stick it to the man' then it excites you, if you see 'the man' give it to the battler then there is a problem.
catcat
Roar Rookie
Also loved Jacko the other week when he consoled the kicker from the Tigers after he missed a conversion attempt on full time. Go dogs....
BA Sports
Roar Guru
I don't mind this for a read - though it as a touch of the Miramax about how much his actions mean vs how much they would mean to a team in a movie. Can I pose this; If Nathan Brown flies in and should charges Jerome Hughes. And while Brown is being spoken to, Cameron Smith walks up and gets in Brown's face, calls him a bunch of expletives, and then 11 Storm players fly in and crash tackle a single man, standing on his own - is that viewed with the admiration, or are the Storm absolutely trashed and caned by every journo and keyboard warrior alike? I wouldn't have condoned the Storm, or any team, charging in like that and for that reason I (personally) think Josh Jackson and Lewis got away with something they shouldn't have and should have and I'm less impressed than the majority seem to be.
Noosa Duck
Roar Rookie
Barry, every team needs a Josh Jackson, the Eels have Tim Mannah , the Sharks Paul Gallen, Storm , Cam Smith, The Roosters Boyd Cordner, Tigers, Benji & Robbie, The Raiders Josh Hodgson .....Most teams have that leader that all respect and if you look at the demise of the Titans the loss of Ryan James has probably not helped their cause. Then expecting a rookie coach to work miracles and not supporting him did not help either....for when you look at Josh Jackson and where the Dogs are headed you have to include the inspiration of one Dean pay ......and that ladies & Gentlemen shows just what you can achieve with a Rookie Coach if you have a bit of faith and support the bloke...
The Barry
Roar Guru
Thats a fair point. I really like Brown most of the time. He plays hard and with passion as you say and he’s got a bit of skill at times. But unfortunately he’s got a tendency towards this sort of dirty play where he can’t control himself. It wasn’t just the shoulder charge on DWZ, he’d tried two earlier and tried to pick a fight with Lachlan Lewis for no reason. To be fair it’s been a while since he’s done something like this but he’s got a pretty short fuse. You’re right - if a few more Parra forwards in particular had played with his intensity you’d probably have won.
Real deal Eel
Guest
I see alot of ppl on here slamming Brown. Let's get 1 thing clear if the Bulldogs players played with the passion Nathan brown play's with they Bulldogs would be playing in the semi's. Yes he brown went over board but his passion was there for all to see. #Eels4life#
Declan
Roar Rookie
Thanks mate really appreciate it
Matt P
Roar Rookie
"while serving what ever suspensions they’re given by the judiciary." Four weeks between the three of them. It's good to know that in light of all the recent developments in regards to CTE, we're really cracking down on all these players targeting the head...
Paul
Roar Guru
Brown and the two Souths blokes need to made to watch their thuggery over and over again while serving what ever suspensions they're given by the judiciary. I truly wonder what goes through some guys heads at this time of year, when sides are in a battle for finals spots and these 3 idiots try cheap shots on defenceless players. Brown's already spent 11 weeks getting over an injury then he comes back and does this!! If I was a team mate, I'd be letting him know what I thought for sure.
Chris.P.Bacon
Guest
Agree wholeheartedly with the sentiments of all posters (barring that first one). Good first article Declan - well done mate!
Nat
Roar Guru
I agree with every compliment you can afford Jackson. He's carved from granite and gives his all and that includes pulling on DHs like Brown. The fantasy run to the finals is a great side story and even better if it comes off but in the last 3 season ('19 inc) they are at their best when the Sept pressure is off. Pay has to lift them above the 'thorn in the side' team to consistent performers. The talent is there. Pay is doing himself no favours by showing the board they can win well when it doesn't matter.
Noosa Duck
Roar Rookie
I am biased in regards to Josh as there is a family connection. However I loved the way he was sticking up for his players as the Captain, and believe me he takes the responsibility very seriously. Peter Tunks, Graham Hughes and myself are all on the same page in that we believe that he is one of the most consistent players in the game and rarely has a bad game. We also agree that he was very unlucky not to have been playing origin this year that is how good his form has been in what was pretty much an under-performing team at that stage of the year. Now as far as the Coach goes, whilst all the pundits like Rothfield were going on about Dean pay being on the chopping block my prediction was that the team would slowly improve during the season and were certainly not going to be the Wooden Spooner's, well Nostra Duck got that bit right but the distance between the wooden spoon and the closeness to the top 8 has even surprised me well and truly. Pay has done a wonderful job and the team spirit he has moulded over the course of the season which was well and truly on display against the Eels. The Gulgong Pub would have been well and truly in full flight on Friday night .....
kk
Roar Pro
Recruiter's Dream : A dozen Josh Jackson's @ $600K per signing. Wonder what Melbourne paid for Dale Finucane?
Jacks
Roar Guru
His not going to win it but I would have not issue with Josh Jackson winning captain of the yr. He has been an outstanding leader this year holding the team together and making them follow him. Dogs cannot lose him.
The Barry
Roar Guru
It absolutely showed what Jackson means to the young Bulldogs team. Jackson and DWZ need to be re-signed ASAP. It’s all well and good having the young blokes coming through but they need leaders. It doesn’t make much sense to me to chase a player like Ese Ese so hard but then let Jackson go.
The Barry
Roar Guru
“Segways” - classic. What a DC. You’ve been death riding the Dogs all through their winning run. Parra were going to win 40-0. Maybe it’s time to admit your own faulty assumptions and “segways”
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Every club needs a Josh Jackson type player. The guy that turns up and puts his body on the line every single week. They are the soul of a club that others feed off. You know NSW are in a good position with significant depth if he can’t get a spot in the side.
Max power
Guest
A whole lot of faulty assumptions and segways here young Declan All that will happen is that the bulldogs keep some players now and they will bite them as they return to their true form