After being a finals mainstay for much of the decade, 2019 was the second consecutive disappointing year for the Bulldogs.
Salary cap problems after the 2017 season led to many quality players being moved on and mostly inexperienced players taking their place. Now, after a year or two learning their trade, the question is: are the likes of Lachlan Lewis, Reimis Smith, Jeremy Marshall-King and Renouf Toomaga ready to join the experienced Josh Jackson, Will Hopoate and Aiden Tolman in returning the Bulldogs to finals football?
The strength of the Bulldogs is grit and determination, shown last year through a resolute defence. Despite finishing 12th in 2019 their points against (477) was comparable to top eight sides Eels (473), Sharks (464) and Broncos (489). This is despite often leaking points through young players Jayden Okunbor and Nick Meaney as they adjusted their game to the previously unfamiliar wing position.
(Matt King/Getty Images)
Okunbor, who transitioned to the wing from the forward pack, made particularly poor reads in defence, while Meaney, who started the season as a diminutive fullback, at times struggled physically against bigger opponents. Both are in the running to be starting wingers this year. However, they will have had an off-season to address their deficiencies. In doing so, the Bulldogs defence should only be stronger in 2020.
The two experienced players in the backline are fullback Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and centre Will Hopoate. DWZ is a very powerful runner and good support player but is lacking a little in creativity and a passing game, meaning much of the backline play will need to come from their centres. Hopoate is an extremely reliable player undoubtedly up to the task.
Remis Smith, tipped to move from the wing to the centres this year, has been very impressive in first grade thus far. I’d expect him to continue to impress this year despite being unproven in the centres.
The Bulldogs forward pack boasts many representative-quality backrowers. Captain Josh Jackson typifies the club’s defensive resolve with his tireless efforts every week. New Zealand representatives Raymond Faitala-Mariner, Corey Harawira-Naera and new signing Joe Stimson will all be competing for starting spots. A preseason injury and the ability to handle the middle will likely see Faitala-Mariner eventually return to the Bulldogs team via the interchange bench.
The middle forwards will need to improve for the Bulldogs in 2020 if they are going to improve as a team. As noted, they have been defensively sound, but their go forward was often poor. Tolman has been a great servant of the club and will continue to churn out metres. However, he lacks the ability to physically dominate opponents.
Dylan Napa has the necessary aggression but seems to put it all into defensive efforts rather than strong charges. If he can match his defensive intent with the ball in hand, he could really lead this Bulldogs pack and regain his Queensland State of Origin jersey.
However, I see the real improvement here coming from the younger brigade. The likes of Ofahiki Ogden and Renouf Toomaga made real progress last season and will continue to improve again this season. The young halves will be relying on these middle forwards to win the contact in order to give them the time and space to show their capabilities.
Of course for the Bulldogs attack to dramatically improve we will need to see one or two of their young halves step up this year. The annual Kieran Foran injury came early this year, leaving a spot open for Jack Cogger or Brandon Wakeham to join Lachlan Lewis in the halves. All three young halves have shown enormous potential, though none have really announced themselves as good consistent first-graders yet. If they can do so and invigorate the Bulldogs attack along the way, it will go a long way to taking the Bulldogs back to finals football.
So what do you think, Roarers? Where do you see Bulldogs finishing this year? Who should be the halves? Which young players will take their game to another level in 2020?
Moe
Guest
Hi...I'm a bulldog fan.. Bulldogs needs to look for new 6 and 7 And even 9 As we can see we have lots of forward for bulldogs to finish top 4 the need new spine except no1 which his great. There impressive player well be ogden ???? I would like to see toLman and Napa outside the squad this year I wish bulldogs all the best
Albo
Roar Rookie
Marginally. The number 9 position is still a problem spot for the Panthers. Api and Mitch Kenny both have limitations in their games, but I guess they will share the job till someone better comes along. The big disappointment for me has been the failure of Wayde Egan to step up to the NRL higher levels he indicated he was headed toward as a junior. A few years back, I thought he was going to be the next Cam Smith ! Now he is battling to get a run with the Warriors.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Ogden was really good - particularly early in the season when we were struggling. In terms of improvement I think he’s sometimes a bit heavy footed in defence but beyond that I don’t think there’s too much. He runs hard, hits hard and plays with aggression. I’d love to see him get a regular bench spot I hope you’re right. I just can’t get too excited about the season. I’d probably rather go in not expecting too much and be pleasantly surprised than the other way around I go to about 2-6 games a year. I love going to Belmore
nrlfan
Roar Rookie
Okay, So Api Korasiu a much better player?
nrlfan
Roar Rookie
I was surprised that Ogden only played a handful of games, he’s a big body, young and enthusiastic. I wonder what level of improvement we’re going to see in the bulldogs young players this season. As you mentioned I thought To’omaga looked like a really good player from what I saw of him. I wonder how guys like him and Ogden will play. Yeh imagine that, bringing Tolman and Napa off, only to have Ogden and To’omago come on. What do you think Ogden has to do to improve his game TB? Don’t you think he’s made for footy, he’s just missing something. Payne Haas, if we could pick any player for our team I would pick him. Tedesco second, but Haas, judging by what I’ve seen so far, I think he will be an Immortal. I really can’t wait for the season to start, bulldogs fans arent too optimistic but I really Am. Think the morale and balance of the players is great, I think Dean Pay is underrated he needs more of a chance. Do you go to games TB? We’ve got a bit too many players in the backrow/forward department, it’s hard to decide who plays and who doesn’t. I like Chris Smith too.
Albo
Roar Rookie
I wasn't a fan when he was at Penrith. Is tough and has a go, but poor at dummy half for mine. Lots of wrong options taken. Useful reserve utility is my assessment.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Yeah, I love the energy To’omaga and Ogden brought off the bench last season. Don’t remember seeing them play together too often though I think it could work. Imagine bringing off Napa and Tolman and having the speed of the game increase Both have played a lot of middle and edge in ISP
nrlfan
Roar Rookie
It’s hard to choose who to put in and who to leave out. Adam Elliot is a good personality for the team but if I’m judging based on just football style/skill then I prefer Chris smith to Elliot. Ogden is big and strong, I’d like to see some games with him and to’omaga coming off the bench, maybe even both going on at the same time. I think dean pay might give all the guys who played first grade last year more than a few games each during the season
The Barry
Roar Guru
Yeah, I guess you could have 11. Stimson 12. CHN and 13. Jackson. I still think Jackson is better on an edge and coming into the middle as required. Assuming Napa and Tolman in the front row that would give RFM, Elliott, To’omaga, Ogden, Chris Smith, Britt and Sue as forward rotation. Not great but a bit of depth there and Ogden and To’omaga have a lot of improvement in them, probably Britt and Smith too
nrlfan
Roar Rookie
Not really that impressed by Adam elliot, he seems like a good team player and has a good work rate but he doesn't bend the line back at all
nrlfan
Roar Rookie
I thought Katoa was not bad, I didn't watch him a lot though, am i wrong about katoa? He seems like a simple no. 9 , nothing great but gets the job done
nrlfan
Roar Rookie
Whats wrong with the spine? DWZ is a good player and international. JMK filled the no.9 spot very well last season. Lewis is the most aggressive defensive centre in the nrl and he's not at all afraid to play how he sees things. Cogger and Wakeham will rotate unless one stands out. It's not a bad spine at all
nrlfan
Roar Rookie
Yeh I was trying to work out the backrow and bench spots with Britt and Stimson in the team now too. Jackson could go to lock. I think Stimson is more of a ball player, I haven't seen a lot of games though. Jackson has an excellent work ethic and might be better suited to 13. CHW has been playing really well so he has got to be in the second row. Last season Pay gave a lot of players games. I think he will do the same, giving all those guys you mentioned games. It didn't make the players happy though last season. To'omaga looked promising last year too
nrlfan
Roar Rookie
Actually I would rather have Napa over Klemmer. Dogs do have class forwards and backs, maybe they don't have the same high profiles as other clubs. I like the way they attack under Pay.
nrlfan
Roar Rookie
I’m very excited and optimistic about the bulldogs upcoming season. I really like the way Dean Pay has got his team playing. There aren’t many stars in the team but he still has them playing a very entertaining type of football when they’re on. The two games last season that come to mind is against the melbourne storm in the early rounds and then vs parramatta towards the end of the season. Even the commentators like Andrew Johns, Phil Gould (i think) and Paul Vautin were saying it’s the best game they’ve watched all season, that’s quite remarkable considering that the bulldogs have a team of many unknown players and they weren’t even considered a top 8 team. Sione Katoa the new hooker for the dogs played in the historic win for tonga over Australia. Will Hopoate played in that game too. Sione Katoa from media reports and interviews seems very happy at the dogs as does dallin watene zelezniak. When players are really happy, the team does better, we all know that. Will Hopoate is probably I think the dogs best player with Josh Jackson and Aiden Tolamn. Will Hopoate has formed a good partnership with Reimis Smith. Joe Stimson could be a fantastic player but I think you have to play him the right way to really see how good he is. He’s a natural footballer as opposed to athlete. I really like the balance of the dogs this year, I sense the energy is really good amongst players and coaches. I’m really pleased we have Lachlan Lewis, love his style . Just plays it as he sees it, ad lib, gets more involved in defence then any half in the game. I hope we see Ben Wakeham get a lot more games because this guy is talented I think the dogs will have a good year. I see them in the top 8 at season end. By round 5 i’m tipping that they will be in the top 6.
Chris
Guest
I agree with that.
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
It was "a Crispy Classic!" yes. I'll give him that one. I declared on 560 Nat and CPB has only just statted batting. :laughing:
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
And now the Dogs are trying to bolster their underperforming backline... Cashed-up Bulldogs set to make Josh Addo-Carr a ‘priority target’ https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2020-josh-addocarr-to-bulldogs-contract-kieran-foran-rabbitohs-panthers-rugby-league/news-story/433ad0be4441ccddad3fd11965a5eda6 But the Bunnies still lead the chase for South Sydney junior Josh Addo-Carr's signature. The story only mentions Josh's "people" in close talks with Souths and not any other club. Clearly "The Fox" wants to join the Bunny Burrow and in 2021 I'll be singing; "Run Rabbit. Run Rabbit. Run! Run! Run!". :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
Patrick
Guest
when the Dogs are going well then the Competition is generally in good shape I'd wager this part, if it was the initial comment being referred to
mushi
Roar Guru
You could say the same of of many positions, centres don't sit in the centre of the back line - they're edge backs now. Same with Halfback and 5/8, many play one side of the field and it's not a stretched out back line designation. Props don't prop anyone up, fullbacks lock the scrum not locks and second rowers can be found just about anywhere but the second row. All of our position designations came from how a team lined up for a contested scrum.