As it stands right now the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs sit in last place on the NRL ladder. Did any of us really expect any different?
Not really. But that still doesn’t mean it’s inexcusable.
When club legend Dean Pay was hired in the 2017 off-season he was touted as saying he was going to bring back the ‘dogs of war’, a side that never gives up and will grind it out with you until the 80th minute. And while they might do that in games today, the players exerting that effort simply aren’t good enough.
If I were an opposition player, not one of the Bulldogs players standing in front of me would threaten men. That may sound harsh, but it’s true. Will Hopoate has flashes of class, but it doesn’t shine through enough. Josh Jackson tries his best but is limited in attack, while Dallin Watene-Zelezniak can run hard all day but will still drop the ball nine times out of ten.
The Dogs simply don’t have enough talented players on their roster. They currently sit in 16th place in the competition in terms of points, tries, line breaks and tackle breaks. In the modern NRL good luck trying to grind it out when you can’t score any points.
Looking ahead to next year, it’s rumoured the Bulldogs have about $3 million in their salary cap they are willing to throw at players they think can make a significant improvement to their side. In this article I’ll break down my top five players I think the Bulldogs should target for the 2021 season and why they would make an astute signing.
Dean Pay’s got some decisions to make. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)
1. David Fifita (Brisbane Broncos)
He’s the man it seems every NRL club wants. Fifita, still only 20 years old, looks to be the game’s next big star. With almost every club lining up to sign the talented youngster, he would become a welcome addition to Belmore. His canny ability to constantly break the line and find an offload would provide handsome rewards for a half like Kieran Foran. Foran may seem broken and rundown to some experts, but his touches of class and brilliance is enough to show that all he needs is some talent around him to get back to his best.
That is exactly what Fifita can offer. In the two games he has played this year he has scored one try, run for an average of 150 metres, made 57 tackles and broke 15 tackles. His talent is unmatched and would immediately turn the Dogs around. If I am Canterbury, Fifita is at the top of my list.
David Fifita (Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
2. John Bateman (Canberra Raiders)
For the right price John Bateman in 2021 could go anywhere. After it was confirmed on Tuesday afternoon that 2020 would be his last year with the Raiders, rumours already began to grow as to where Bateman could land. And of course, with cash to splash, the Bulldogs were one of the teams mentioned. And why wouldn’t they be?
The reigning Dally M second rower of the year burst onto the scene last year with the Green Machine as he was a driving force in their push to the NRL grand final. Not only does Bateman have great footwork in attack for a big man, but his defence is rock solid and would be a handy addition to any defensive unit.
3. Josh Addo-Carr (Melbourne Storm)
The man they dub ‘The Fox’ is just what the Bulldogs need. A limp attack that doesn’t showcase any real flair or spark, Addo-Carr can provide the fix immediately. The current New South Wales and Australian representative has been granted an early release from the final year of his contract with the Melbourne Storm to return to Sydney to live closer to his family.
In just 90 first-grade games Addo-Carr has scored 65 tries, with his burning speed a clear advantage over any opposition winger. Give the Fox early ball and he can truly do something special. The Bulldogs would be fools not to chase the fastest man in the game.
(Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
4. Nick Cotric (Canberra Raiders)
With John Bateman now confirmed to be leaving the nation’s capital at season’s end, this one may seem a little unlikely. But it doesn’t mean the Bulldogs shouldn’t inquire about the New South Wales representative. Cotric’s ability to play both in the centres and on the wing is extremely valuable for Canberra, who have relied on him in recent years to be a consistent X factor on their left edge. As Joey Leilua and Jordan Rapana’s form dipped from week to week, the left edge of Cotric and Jarrod Croker continued to perform and ascend.
Still only 21, Cotric has played 76 games already with 35 tries to his name and has represented both NSW and Australia. His supreme strength and never say die leg drive would prove to be extremely valuable on a Canterbury left edge.
5. Anthony Milford (Brisbane Broncos)
Given his and the Broncos form this year, this may seem the most contentious pick I could have made. But please just hear me out. During the NRL COVID-19 lockout Milford picked up his one-year player option to stay at Brisbane until the end of 2021. However, with his fault wavering and Tom Dearden waiting in the wings, it seems Milford’s time is running out. And what is a contract worth these days anyway?
It may seem risky for a club like the Bulldogs to go out and sign Milford, but why not? At his peak he is one of the most damaging ball players in the competition, and with the right half and coach beside him he can play at his best. With Kieran Foran back to full fitness, I believe he and Milford could try and push the Dogs for their first finals appearance since 2016.
Could it all crash and burn? Yes. But would it cost the Bulldogs? Not really. With Milford’s form dropping, they could sign him for below market value and on a one-to-two-year deal max. It may sound risky, but taking calculated risks is exactly what the Dogs need to do to have any real shot and contending again.
Dane
Guest
Milford? Please God no, we've already suffered enough.
mach4
Roar Rookie
Put Burton from Penrith in the mix.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Haha... 10 years ago maybe... :silly:
Rob
Guest
Not enough Queenslanders TB. You need to be looking for talent with ticker.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Nope, not talented, ordinary.. {Shhhh Adam, I'm know but I'm just trying to throw other scouts of the scent} pretty average.. nothing to look at, move along...
Adam Bagnall
Roar Guru
Untried, untested but you are quick to judge him. He's a serious talent being wasted by Mary
Nathan
Guest
This is a textbook on how NOT to rebuild a footy club. You don’t pay premium prices for edge forwards or wingers when you’re in the rebuilding phase. Less said about Milford the better.
Rob
Guest
Maybe the Broncos would look at a swap. Milford for Lewis? Lewis can pass, kick and tackle unlike Milford. Milford is a runner but needs a strong tackling back rower who runs good lines ( Jackson). Foran is a fantastic organisation half leader IMO if he can stay on the park. John Asiata is 27 and off contract. He’s a very skilful and attack savvy. Parramatta have a young bloke called Oregon Kafusi that I particularly like the look of. He’s a bit of a young tear away that moves quickly and laterally well unlike the Napa and Tolman who sort off bang the ball straight. He would definitely give them a little x upfront to go with the other workers. Maybe Parra deserve a bit of poaching to balance the ledger? Obviously Brandon Smith or Harry Grant would be great to get and a priority. If you don’t get either then Cotter is desperately wanting and needing a go in NRL. Green has stuffed him around ( like he does with most of the young local talent) and obviously feels Robson is the one going forward playing 80min right now. Cotter has suffered to ACL injuries but the kid is still training harder than anyone else to play NRL? He strikes me as a no frills goer with some players commenting about him winning a ninja challenge. He loves crossing the try line and at 97kg can be a hard to stop. Maybe to dynamic to play 80min at this time. He’s 21 and I believe he would jump at the chance to get some consistent time. Marshall king and Cotter would be a good combo right now IMO. NQ and Dogs have a it of history sell swapping and buying over the years. Good luck Doggies.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Yeah, I heard that too! He had some talent but his attitude was all over the shop. I could get behind it if it happens It actually gets challenging after a while trying to imagine all these blokes in the team. We’re short a couple of props but all the players we’ve been linked to would be a handy side... 1 Tom Turbo 2 Alex Johnston 3 Latrell Mitchell 4 Nick Cotric 5 Josh Ado-Carr 6 James Maloney 7 Jackson Hastings 8 Jake Turbo 9 Api Koroisau 10 11 David Fifita 12 John Bateman 13 Andrew McCullough
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
.. Third choice... you know both those just read that and shed a tear :crying:
SourD
Roar Rookie
Sezer or Hastings are good shouts i think.
SourD
Roar Rookie
Heard Jackson Hastings name mentioned. What do you think? I reckon if he's learned some lessons over in the UK could be worth a go for not too much coin. Only 24 still too.
SourD
Roar Rookie
Don't completely agree because i don't think the forwards are ok. They're getting rolled every week. Napa and Tolman don't have that impact. Luke Thompson might help - and i'm hopeful he'll be very good - but from descriptions of his style, i think even if he's very good, they could look at adding another front-rower with that particular kind of oomph - think Hamlin-Uele type.
SourD
Roar Rookie
Oh mate, i appreciate any positive comments about the Dogs, but think you're well off the mark here. Over on a certain fan site they're calling this the worst centre-pairing in Bulldog history. Smith is potentially an excellent NRL winger (has all the tools) but is a bit lazy. He's shown nothing as a centre and does not know how to pass. And if you're using the word 'fast' to describe Montoya, i'm not sure that you've watched him too much. I'm personally not as against Montoya as some other Dogs fans, but once again, he's more a winger (doesn't know how to pass), his defensive positioning is shocking and is probs at best backline injury cover (which is why he's there this week).
no one in particular
Roar Guru
It's not an easy task. Not all players will be available at the same time. You might get one or two this offseason, one or two the next year. James Maloney is 34, not the sort of player you want to base things around. Do you throw everything at the kid from the Tigers based off a dozen games? Is there a club trying to fit "3 into 2" in their halves that they can pick up? Or can you pull off that big headline splash? It's hard to win without that quality half. There are very few around, and you pay top dollar for them. Parra have the large junior district, yet haven't done anything at halfback since Sterling. Penrith are lucky Cleary fell into their lap. Newcastle haven't produced one since Johns. Do you take a punt on a young half, hoping he has a high ceiling and your coaching can bring it out in him? Does he turn out to be Keary or Milford, and how long do you wait to find out? (look at the ages of Johns, Thurston and Cronk when they became that player) Most importantly, the Dogs (like every club) need to find their Peter O'Sullivan or Noel Cleal.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Agree about the wingers. We actually have good wingers in Smith and DWZ but they’re being played as centres. As centres, the best I can say is they’re good wingers Hopefully 1) is sorted with Luke Thompson. His SL highlights reel is awesome. If he can make the transition to NRL he looks exactly the type of player you’re talking about 2) is a hard one, there’s just not that many on the market. Maybe Maloney if he is available but if the local off contract halves Foran is the best available. Guys like Sezer and Hastings don’t meet your (accurate) description of what’s required in the halves
no one in particular
Roar Guru
Him and Jackson are the only 2 worth keeping. I honestly don't rate the rest of the squad. Very few, if any, would start at another club. Maybe Tolman, thats it.
The Barry
Roar Guru
That’s interesting... I think the opposite. He’s a tad too slow to be a top line modern fullback and I think his ball distribution skills are better suited close to the defensive line and in traffic than being a fullback joining the line as a second 5/8 or on a sweep play I take your point about leaving him though, whether he’s a better centre or fullback, there are bigger problems
Soda
Roar Rookie
Maloney would be good at any team really
Joe
Roar Rookie
Definitely would hate to see the Cheese go..great character and love watching him play. Also gives a 100% every time he steps on the field and pumps up the players around him. That actually make him well suited to the bench role he plays now but as he showed for NZ and Maori he is a very good 9 and has indicated he would like to take over once Smith leaves. Going to be hard to get him to play 13 although that position suits him pretty well with the new rules.