Way back in 2006 – on a cold, windy night in Kogarah – the Bulldogs dismantled the St George Illawarra Dragons.
Led by the bash brothers of Willie Mason and Mark O’Meley and the skilfulness of Sonny Bill Williams and Reni Maitua, the Bulldogs put the Dragons to the sword tearing holes through the middle of their ruck and hitting them with such force that each Dragons player was scared to take another hit-up in the game again.
Such a performance was not uncommon for the Bulldogs in that era, they simply sought to beat every team by physically imposing themselves on the opposition. Due to this, the Bulldogs were labelled as ‘Dogs of War’.
In that period the late great Steve Folkes was at the helm. Uncompromising as a player and as a coach, Folkes drove this ‘Dogs of War’ siege mentality into the playing group. The Bulldogs’ forward pack struck fear into the minds of other teams even before matches had started.
Fast forward to September 2019 and it appears the Bulldogs and their coach Dean Pay have revitalised this ‘Dogs of War’ mentality. Yes the Bulldogs won’t be playing finals football, but the past month has highlighted a return to the defence-wins-matches mentality.
(Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
Since beating the Sharks on June 30 the Bulldogs have only conceded 20 points or more in two matches – these being against the Roosters and the Broncos. The middle of Dylan Napa, Aiden Tolman, Jeremy Marshall-King, Adam Elliot and Josh Jackson have led the charge, coming quickly out of the line to stifle the opposition’s attack.
The supporting cast of the halves and backline including fullback Dallin Watene-Zelezniak have played their part in defence and provided the creativity necessary for the Bulldogs to strike.
Sure, the current Dogs’ forward pack and team at large is not as imposing or intimidating as the one from that night in Kogorah, but the principles of the ‘Dogs of War’ have returned – turning up for each other, giving 100 per cent effort and winning the game through a strong defence.
The Bulldogs have always performed well with their back against the wall and they will need to continue to do so in the coming years, especially due to the ongoing salary cap restrictions which have hampered their ability to manoeuvre in the player market and improve their roster. However – like Steve Folkes – Dean Pay is front and centre and will ensure that the Bulldogs remain competitive and fight until the very end.
The Bulldogs have not won the competition since 2004 and they have not made the finals for almost four years.
But with the ‘Dogs of War’ back, that could all change in the not too distant future.
qwetzen
Roar Rookie
The Dullbogs have the lowest For points in the comp. A staggering 58 points lower than the 2nd lowest side, the much-maligned Titans. They average a snooze-inducing 12.9 points a game. Their attack is as weak and boring as yours...
Zavjalova
Roar Rookie
You must have the attention span of a goldfish. Go watch afl, leave the league talk to the people who understand the game. Thanks
Zavjalova
Roar Rookie
Hes done alright with the team hes got, gotta admit. Now relocate them to perth!
The Barry
Roar Guru
Good times...
2blues
Roar Rookie
Original "Dogs of War" - 1984 to 87. Warren Ryan coach. Players such as Peter Tunks, Peter Kelly, Mark Bugden, Brian Battess, David Gillespie, Paul Langmack, Steve Folkes. Mainly forwards but backs such as Andrew Farrer, Chris Mortimer and Greg Mullane contributed. Emphasis on defense with strong, powerful tackling in structured gang tackles of 3 or more. Make it as hard as possible for other team to get over advantage line. The Mortimers, Terry Lamb, Steve O'Brien and Michael Potter provided good options in attack. 1980 Dogs win Premiership as climax to "Entertainers" era. Strong emphasis on attack and back your instincts. Coach Ted Glossop. Players such as the Mortimer and Hughes Brothers, Chris Anderson, Greg Brentnall, George Peponis. 1981 and 82. Let down with injuries and other problems. 1983 - minor rebuild and make Preliminary final. Parramatta beat Manly in Grandfinal for the second time in a row. These two seen as the 2 beat best teams by a fair margin. Bulldogs seen as the best of the rest. 1984. Bulldogs leaders including "Bullfrog" Peter Moore build a team based around strong, powerful, intimidating defense. Become Known as "Dogs of War". Premierships 1984 and 85. Runners up 86. 1987 - Turmoil. Falling out between Warren Ryan and Steve Mortimer and Ryan and Peter Moore. Last game of the season could have made finals with a win, but lost. Warren Ryan resigns. 1988 - Phil Gould coach. Premiership.
Chris.P.Bacon
Guest
"In 2018 we scored 428 points, this year 296. 2018 conceded 474, this year it’s 463. Our differential was -46 v -167." ....I think this says it all TB. I really enjoy watching our recent defensive displays however I seriously wonder where our points are coming from. In the Dog's matches you've been commenting on our attack in the opponent's quarter.... and rightly so. The last tackle options are at times simply horrible and we then seem to run out of ideas (...I'm a poor scholar of league but even I know what we'll be doing!) Yep, we're developing a defensive structure that's starting to lay a good platform for a decent attack - but at the moment that attack is clunky at best and lacking any potency. (...perhaps when Latrell, the Trbojevic boys, SBW, Fifita et.al, join us this aspect will change) :)
The Barry
Roar Guru
Yeah...hurts to say ibut that was a brilliant run from Hodges...great support play from Berrigan and a freaky effort to keep the ball off the ground and get it down over the line as Mason tackled him.
Nat
Roar Guru
He done that a few times in 06... Personally I like the Berrigan effort.
Andrew
Guest
but the principles of the ‘Dogs of War’ have returned – turning up for each other, giving 100 per cent effort and winning the game through a strong defence. Sorry. That is the mantra of every team, ever.
Danno1
Roar Rookie
Aaarrgh TB why why why that 2006 SF still gives nightmares. Ben Roberts passing about 20 metres behind Nate Miles for a hit up and Lockyer swoops and scores........
Adam Bagnall
Roar Guru
You lost me when you thought the Dogs of War stemmed from 2006. It comes from their peak of the 80s. Perhaps you are too young to remember that far back
The Barry
Roar Guru
Really...nice one!
Duncan Smith
Roar Guru
'Dogs of War' name goes back to the mid 1980s, from 1984 on.
qwetzen
Roar Rookie
'Dogs of Bore' more like it.
Albo
Roar Rookie
Morgan Harper is in this week !
The Barry
Roar Guru
Are they though? We’re all basking in the glory of a few late season wins but there are plenty of markers that the Dogs have gone downhill since last year. I’d say a centre (wouldn’t mind seeing Morgan Harper getting a run), a nine, a top shelf middle third player and maybe a half.
Albo
Roar Rookie
I think Pay has done a good job getting this Dogs squad basically playing to best of its ability in recent weeks. Defence and commitment to the cause has been excellent and everyone is working well with what they have got. But they are still a long way off being a serious title contender with this roster. The pack is solid, the backs are average, and the spine needs plenty more than they have now. I have seen enough of DWZ to know he will soon start letting them down at the back with errors, they need a good number 9, Foran could be injured at any moment and Lewis is a strong defender but very limited to kicks in attack. Whilst this spine has been going OK in recent weeks, I think that Cogger in the halves might be the Dogs key going forward , along with Meaney developing at fullback. I think they should have gone after Brayley for 9, unless they have good young 9 coming through the juniors ? And like for most Clubs, coming up with a couple of good centres is like winning lotto. I guess till their cap issues are over, they will need to cope as best they can with juniors coming through or with astute selection of the right cast offs.
max power
Guest
a faulty comparison between 2 teams with vastly different playing groups. congrats on winning a few games in the second half of a season
TJ
Guest
Dogs are on the way back up. Might take a few years but they will get there. A quality hooker and centre away from being a top 8 contender. No side is ever going to be successful when Holland is at centre.
Chris Martin
Guest
Why we don't need him. Smith and Okunbur will be just as good if not better. The dogs need a 9 who knows who to pass to or what to do in side the attacking 20