Canterbury coach Dean Pay insists changes aren’t needed in the halves despite hooking Lachlan Lewis in their loss to North Queensland.
Lewis was taken from the field after 55 minutes in the 22-16 defeat, as the Bulldogs were error-ridden in attack and struggled in defence in the opening half.
The 23-year-old has been given the all-important No.7 jersey this year, with rookie Brandon Wakeham outside him in the league’s least experienced pairing.
With Kieran Foran’s season ruined by a shoulder injury, Jack Cogger waits in the wings after being dropped out of the halves late last year.
But Pay said there was no need to change things at playmaker for the Bulldogs after two straight losses to start the year.
“We have (the right pairing),” Pay said.
“But they need to learn how to control a game. And tonight was a real lesson for them in how to control a game and what the team needs.
“We’ll address it during the week. He will learn from it and we will have a good look at it and make sure we work hard at it.”
Canterbury made 17 errors in Friday night’s loss, as they had just 43 per cent of the ball at an empty ANZ Stadium.
Lewis scored the team’s opening try and kicked an early 40-20, but it went downhill quickly for the Bulldogs.
“He will learn from it, he will be better for it,” Pay said.
“(It was) just the way we were coming up with errors and putting ourselves under pressure all the time.
“He wasn’t on his own. There were a number of our players coming up with simple errors.”
kk
Roar Pro
Hi Chris, I agree with your placements and hope Coach Pay is of the same mind. If LL reaches the heights I think he will, every club will seek his signature when he is in the contract zone.
Emcie
Roar Guru
I think you may have to double check your info mate...
Chris
Guest
Mate was born in Brisbane but move to NSW at the age of 6. played all his football in NSW and has stated several times that his doesn't even talk to wally. So why would he move to Qld away from his family and friends??? Wakeham needs ore time to develop. Lewis Cogger is the best combo we have. Cogger runs the ball at the line, Wakeham and Lewis dont. Cogger to 7 Lewis to 6. Cogger runs the team and Lewis kicks and plays what he sees. Meany to Fullback Hoppa and DWZ to centre Smith And Harper to wings. Averillo to 14. Just my opinion
matth
Roar Guru
Maybe Lewis goes to number 6 or at least takes the secondary playmaking role
kk
Roar Pro
Lachlan Lewis is a natural. He will learn from his mistakes and needs another 20 or so games to start showing the class I am confident he possesses. It may be that he occupies another position. C-BRLFC' s NRL team list will take time to develop. I have inked in 2022-2023 seasons to have risen to Top 4 status. If Queensland actually gets another team in the NRL the task becomes more difficult. As a more mature and proven player the Brisbane born Lachlan Lewis would become a prime target. I want Canterbury to be rewarded for their patience.
no one in particular
Roar Guru
not a first grade half
Andrew
Guest
Dogs say Lewis is our man. In unrelated news, Dean Pay says he is okay if the team finishes in the bottom 4 again...
steveng
Roar Rookie
hat's the key to the Dogs future "Nick Meaney to fullback and Watene-Zelezniak to centre with Will Hopoate at centre also" which will spark something in attack, Hopoate is wasted at FB when you have such a talented player like Meaney, who can bring the ball back and has allot of skills under the high ball also! For me, Reimis Smith is not a centre (he's at best a winger) as he made far too many mistakes which lost the game for the Dogs! The Dogs dropped the ball far too often and Lewis was good but took too many bad options, especially his passing, which contributed to a few dropped balls whenever the Dogs looked like doing something in attack.
Rob
Guest
Probably a bit premature to be changing the halves combo after 2 games into the season although the Dogs looked a lot better when he went off and Wakeham ran the side. Was also very impressed by Averillo when he came on. Even more so when I learnt that his natural position is centre/wing.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Good. Stick with him. Lewis is a good player and will be better for a learning experience. He's lucky he doesn't have Mary as a coach.