For the past 27 years I have been a supporter of my beloved Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, although last night’s 42-6 drubbing at the hands of the Sydney Roosters gave me some time to reflect on where we are as a club.
Since the 1980s, the Bulldogs have managed to win at least one premiership in each decade up until the 2010s – a decade which started with Kevin Moore’s immediate rise and fall before six years of Des Hasler, culminating in Dean Pay inheriting a salary cap conundrum beyond any position the club has ever found themselves in before.
In the past, it was rare to see an uncompetitive Bulldogs outfit. They may have had the odd year where they performed poorly (2008 anyone?) but never in my lifetime have they had an elongated period of being anchored to the bottom of the NRL ladder.
What occurred as a result of unprecedented, poor on-field management by a powerhouse club so used to success had resulted in their first ever three-year competitiveness lull in my 27-year existence.
Not without trying, the Des Hasler-coached period nearly produced a couple of premierships but the quest for instant success became their demise in the long-run – with multiple back-ended contracts of ageing players and a stale, predictable playing style unaccompanied by any marquee signings meant trouble was afoot.
The gamble ultimately failed and the Castle-Dib-Hasler era was swiftly ushered out and replaced by the Anderson family ticket and new head-coach Dean Pay from the 2018 season onward.
Bulldogs coach Dean Pay. (AAP Image/Michael Chambers)
Hardly the fault of their own, the Dean Pay-led Bulldogs team these past three years have never looked like making the top eight. They are still recuperating from inheriting a roster they never wanted due to previous salary cap mismanagement.
Albeit a handful of decent players, the current squad as-a-whole struggles to emulate the era of “the entertainers” in attack nor do they show the ferocity in defence anywhere near as well as “the dogs of war” era, but they have always upheld the family club moniker and maintained their fighting Canterbury spirit.
Which brings me back to last night’s match against the Roosters.
The Bulldogs of recent times are slow starters. Against the current back-to-back premiers boasting world-class talent across the park, you probably should avoid starting slow because they’ll make you look silly – and silly they looked indeed.
The Roosters made sure their opposition was never given an opportunity to even contemplate victory against them. It took just one minute for them to score their first try and by the 24th minute they were tracking at a point per minute.
But historically, no matter how they are faring throughout the season, the Bulldogs play with their hearts on their sleeves.
If not for a rugged and overly impressive defensive display by the Roosters, the momentum of the game would have swung and seen the Bulldogs score a few tries when it mattered.
For the record, the loss was expected against a team that in my opinion will be the first NRL side to accomplish the three-peat. Unless they cop a myriad of injuries, I struggle to see any other side winning it this year.
Regardless, I have never hacked when Canterbury loses a game. It literally ruins the rest of my day and annoys me until the next round begins. I am certain every other Dogs fan is the exact same because we wear our hearts on our sleeves just as much.
(Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
But people need to understand that Canterbury is a proud club – one that bleeds success and will refuse to stay down long –and like it or not, the NRL needs a strong Canterbury Bulldogs in their competition.
So fear not Doggies fans, redemption is around the corner.
Such is the foresight of their current CEO, Andrew Hill, who identified their current position and highlighted we would be stuck in these losing ways from 2018-2020, it has given Bulldogs fans clarity. Through his transparency, this announcement served as the catalyst for the club to turn everything around again.
2021 will see a major turning point where the club will no longer waste cap space on players running out for opposition sides, with over $6 million in cap space to reshape the squad and make marquee signings.
This initial major rebuild will place us in great stead for 2021 and more so in 2022 when the club will return to being a premiership force once again.
The Bulldogs culture has not been dented just because they are losing. Each week when they run out for us they always show courage and pride in the jersey, and sometimes in a tough situation that’s all we can ask for.
Through thick and thin I will never stop supporting this unique and prestigious club.
Because I am proud to be a Bulldog – always have and always will be.
mg
Guest
All good but its always same no of players across the park playing against each other. Yes you can get players in and get faster results but can i request they work on what makes brilliant players good and develop the current group as much as possible. Make them more disciplined in eating, sleeping, nurture their spirits somehow, make them stronger and faster then the other guys. Have multiple game plans to manage the opponents. Think Guus Hiddink and the Socceroos in 2006.
SourD
Roar Rookie
Yeah agree with most of that. I forgot about Reimis… For me another player who hasn't kicked on. I'd put some of that down to him not being the sort of player who goes looking to get himself involved, but i'd also put some of that down to him being bored at how little the ball comes his way. When he was on the wing we should have been putting attacking kicks to his side all day. Definitely first grade quality, pretty sure he's not a a centre but i'll give him a couple more games there seeings he's learning a new position.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Hadn’t seen it. Wouldn’t have been my first choice and I’d probably rather keep Pay. He’s been handed an unwinnable situation and it seems ridiculously unfair to ditch him just before the air clears. At the end of the day I’d prefer them to make a call either way sooner rather than later before it costs us players
Albo
Roar Rookie
Baz, what do you make of the Paul Kent claim on NRL 360 that Cows coach Paul Green is likely heading to Canterbury next season ? Maybe Pay is already being tipped out ?
MPC
Guest
The Bulldogs need to poach Trent Robinson.
Daniel John
Roar Pro
Maybe TB will be the right fit
Daniel John
Roar Pro
The scorned lover in a love triangle is a great way of putting it.. and I appreciate the endorsement as head coach but I’d probably develop hair loss and lose it all by 28yo hahah
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
With respect, Des should never have been hired and Pay should be fired. Des went there on the rebound as the scorned lover, his attentions having been spurned at Manly. Stupidity by everyone in that love triangle. But, as for Pay, you have to play with the cards you have. You can’t moan that you don’t hold four Kings. Arguably the Dogs don’t resemble a first grade side today, which is bad for the supporters, but it’s also bad for game. I’ve always had a soft spot for the Dogs, an Uncle of mine was Mayor of Canterbury a million years ago. But this coach has got nothing. Which means, time for a hard and smart man. I’d put my money on you or TB in front Pay as coach.
Daniel John
Roar Pro
Yeah gta agree that our recruitment hasnt been flash, but as we both know it is mainly due to their restrictions in scouring the market for quality - with DWZ being the exception. In my opinion, if they seeked a new coach (ie Shaun Wane) then I wouldnt be annoyed - it may assist us in signing further players we need (ie. better players in the spine and backs). . Dwz is a winger. Hoppa is safe but no x factor. Averillo is a good young player we need to retain and develop further. Reimis is pretty good. Meaney is okay, better as a reserve. . Foran is a gun, just injury prone, need to re sign him for 400k max. Lachie lewis is only good in D, maybe better as a lock? They need to give wakeham a go with foz this year. Cogger is a ressie player. . Toomaga and ogden are quality. Napa isnt uo to scratch as well as dean britt who needs to toughen up in D. . JMK is okay but not a first grade quality hooker, i wish we bought koroisau/kept damien cook... . Josh jackson is a workhorse, RFM is pree good too, and Adam Elliott one of our best this year. We are missing CHN and wouldve been nice to see how Joe Stimson went because he was good at Melbourne. . Luke Thompson will be a revelation for us as a prop, and if we can sign John Bateman, AddoCarr, Curtis Rona, Jason Saab and a quality half with foz/wakeham and quality hooker then thatll be the start of a tremendous rebuild.
no one in particular
Roar Guru
I keep hearing Shaun Wane wants a gig in the NRL
no one in particular
Roar Guru
Toovey got the backended contracts, that was in his 2-3 year window. Barrett simply could not coach. If the club is in as bad a shape as you guys say then Pay well be the greater fool at the club. If the club is using these years as to fix up up the mess he may just be a cheap option used to keep the wheels turning, and when the books are in order a better coach is brought in
SourD
Roar Rookie
I want to give Pay time because of the things you mention, but i'm really struggling with the evidence of his coaching that I can see, separate to his record. His use of the interchange has been consistently terrible. He chooses players out of position and then doesn't seem to help them improve their individual skills, especially the younger ones who may have some potential. Nick Meaney didn't improve as a fullback and quickly got shunted to the wing where he's a non-factor. JMK has some tools that you can see being a dummy-half, but he hasn't sharpened anything and he's one of the worst starting dh's in the NRL. Lewis, I can barely talk about Lewis maybe cos I invested a bit of hope in him. Even if that was my own fault and he was never really that talented, there's no signs that ANY of his skills have improved. Wakeham is currently not being used despite having more obvious talent - we're terrible, there's no reserve grades playing, he should be getting a run so that we can at least evaluate what we have. We've seen enough of Lewis! Harper played one game last year, hasn't got another chance and is now leaving. To'Omaga is maybe our most damaging forward and I think he has huge potential yet he's been stuck at the same mins/game for the last year and a bit despite our forwards getting rolled more often than not. Yes his fitness might be questionable, but he's got to play more to build that up. Ogden is in a similar boat (maybe with less potential). Wasn't Pay a great forward? With all that evidence against Pay, i'm worried about what will happen to Averillo's development. Then there's his recruitment. Sure we've not had much money to spend. But we've still brought in a bunch of players in these few years and only DWZ has looked worthwhile. Other teams usually manage to find a couple of diamonds in the rough. None of ours are. What a horrible list: Meaney, Cogger, Crichton, Britt, Sue, Katoa, Napa, There were a few dummy halves available, not top-shelf but with NRL experience. We picked up one of the lesser ones (Katoa) and now he can't get a look in because... JMK! It makes no sense. So yeah, i'm increasingly thinking that our turnaround in 2021 needs to be a complete fresh start including a new coach. I don't know. Can you see any building blocks that Pay has put in place?
Paul
Roar Guru
given his track record of wins at the Sharks, he's a way better bet than Mary.
Daniel John
Roar Pro
Would you be happy with Shane Flanagan at Dragons?
Daniel John
Roar Pro
I think Titans did well signing Justin Holbrook - hopefully he and the board can finally plan for the future rather than signing wrong players for overs - the tide will also turn for them too, no team in the NRL remains dormant for too long
Daniel John
Roar Pro
One massive mistake Des made was letting Damien Cook go after 2015... the legacy Des left for us was anything but a crop of superstars
Daniel John
Roar Pro
The Dogs pitch to Thompson for their outlook into the future, as well as personally visiting him in England got him over the line – he obviously believes in the rebuild we will have from 2021 onward. . You may be right that Dean Pay isnt up to it, I agree – after all he inherited a squad of players that just aren’t as skilful across the park. He has done his best with what he has and it isnt that all the Dogs players are below average, so the coach definitely carries some blame too. . But for you to say that Hasler and co Aren’t to blame for their current predicament is way off the mark, it is specifically the reason why our salary cap is hindered and made it an impossibility to be genuine players in the player market. Case in point: look what Hasler did to Manly after he left in 2012, Toovey inherited quality players and got 2-3 years of use out of them before him and Trent Barrett suffered from backended contracts from 2015-2018. . Historically, due in part to the salary cap, teams have their dull period/rebuilding phase – the Point of this article highlights that the Bulldogs don’t ever have this long a period where they aren’t a finals worthy side. So if changing coach means it’ll help us sign players for 2021 then why not – I just dont think Pay got a fair go
Paul
Roar Guru
exactly the problem my Dragons have TB. People talk about Toovey, Fitzgibbon, etc, but they just don't float my boat
Clarke V
Roar Rookie
As a titans fan, I wish I could say the same about all this, but no history to fall back on, only sorrow. head up, you guys will be back in form in no time.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Problem is, who’s the top quality coach on the market they can snare...?