The resumption of the 2020 NRL season has seen its fair share of sensationalism.
There has been player hubs, relocation of clubs and player morale being at an all-time low, particularly the Warriors due to the uncanny circumstances COVID-19 seems to dish up.
The Bulldogs’ situation has caught the eye of league pundits after coach and club legend Dean Pay sensationally walked due to speculation the club was eager to pen a new coach to solidify the rebuilding stage at Canterbury.
It’s hard not to feel sorry for Pay given the roster he’s had at the helm. It can contend with bottom eight teams and perhaps just barring first-grade standard.
After the departure of Pay, many of us expected a coaching merry-go-round to present itself. However the Bulldogs board were quick to eye Trent Barrett as the front runner.
Given the availability of coaches on the market – Nathan Brown, Geoff Toovey and Anthony Griffin just to name a few – the quick announcement of Barrett clearly demonstrates a stabilising and orderly board. The board in recent years has been quite the opposite, entrenched with salary cap turmoil since the departure of Des Hasler.
Barrett’s recent stint at Penrith as an attacking development coach has shown an exhilarating attacking front in Penrith’s game, putting the competition on notice.
Trent Barrett’s time at Manly didn’t end well. (Photo by Jason O’Brien/Getty Images)
Finding the right man for the top job is never an easy task, especially when the past of few seasons have been bleak.
Coaching can be categorised into two different sectors.
1. A coach that explores the market to embed a leadership mentality, bringing more older and experienced players in.
2. A coach that sticks to the youth and present squad while improving what he already has.
Trent Barrett seems to fall into the latter. He’s no stranger to taking over a salary-cap embroiled mess after his tenure at Manly, restricted to the market and developing what was available to him.
The Dogs’ rebuilding cue can be matched with Newcastle’s previous four seasons. A financial mess – among youthful, exuberant players – more or less contributing to the losses much like Canterbury are now.
The importance of sticking to what you have during the bad times always pays dividends to what’s on the other side.
Take a look at the Saifiti boys for example. They are arguably the most improved players in the comp amid the injection of big signings. The Knights are considered a genuine top-eight team.
There’s no doubt the eye for talent and grassroots development is severely lacking for the Dogs. Rewind to 2004. The team consisted of Willie Mason, Mark O’Meley, Johnathan Thurston, Roy Asotasi and how could we forget Sonny Bill Williams. That was a pack even the most courageous would fear, defining the Dogs of war. All players mentioned either rose through the ranks at Belmore or were poached from other clubs.
The recent three million splash of cash saw the Dogs land their first big-name player, signing in Nick Cotric. His presence under an improving back line is something fans will be licking their lips over come 2021. Together with the English enforcer Luke Thompson, the Dogs are slowly headed north.
The availability of funds could potentially land further signings to build a resurgent squad around. One player that stands out is Jake Friend, who on paper looks to be an underwhelming signing given his long list of injuries sustained. However, he is a leader on and off the field with pristine dummy-half service and that is just what they need, not to mention he’s off contract.
Coming into 2021, here are some more key players coming off contract that they could benefit from: Nathan Brown, Tom Dearden, Tanah Boyd, Joel Thompson and Matt Burton.
With a few tweaks to the spine under Barrett as head coach, the grind towards being a genuine finals side will be imminent within the coming years.
Speculation over an upgrade to Belmore will help the cause.
With arguably the most passionate fan-base in the comp, things will start to look bright for the blue and whites. Patience is a virtue, Doggies fans. Your time will come.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Haha... I think most of those blokes came to the Dogs on Bennett’s recommendation...there wasn’t too much bad blood
Nat
Roar Rookie
At least their raids won't be north of the border this time like in 09. :stoked:
brookvalesouth
Roar Rookie
Time to roll out the well-worn Bulldogs tropes. I think they'll be more Entertainers than Dogs of War. Certainly not a Family Club though.
The Barry
Roar Guru
I sort of agree in one way about the Dogs of War stuff. Let’s see something on the field instead of the papers But at the same time culture isn’t a myth and it’s just not true that every club says they have a “Dogs of war” culture The 2004 team wasn’t “all imported” at all. 13 of the 17 players in the Grand Final (14 of 18 if you count Steve Price) played their first NRL games for the Bulldogs The Dogs team was over the cap in 2002. It was perfectly legal in 2004
The Barry
Roar Guru
I think you’ve missed the mark in a couple of ways... The Dogs are a mess from a roster perspective...but Barrett won’t be stepping into a club with poor rosters and no money like Brown or Pay did. Pay carried the burden of coaching a club in salary cap inspired, financial ruin Barrett has a low quality squad, but he’s got plenty of cash to hit the player market. If he is, as you say, a coach that develops what he has as opposed to talent identification and recruitment, then I’d suggest he’s the wrong man for the job This situation isn’t like 2004. It’s more like 2008 when the Bulldogs “won” the spoon and the 2004 team had been torn apart and dispersed. We had a low quality roster, but money to spend Quality recruitment and retention is the Dogs number one challenge at the moment. We’ve got funds available to make plays for quality players. If that’s done successfully like it was in 2008 into 09, the “rebuild” might be relatively quick, like it was then. If we pay massive overs for mid tier talent, we’re likely to endure another five years of pain “the quick announcement of Barrett clearly demonstrates a stabilising and orderly board” that MIGHT be true if you look at the Barrett appointment in isolation, but ignores a board that has barely made a correct decision in the last five years. There’s constant talk of challenges and extraordinary meetings to oust the board. There’s nothing stable or orderly about it My hopes are high at the moment...but so are my concerns...!
max power
Guest
we heard all this 3 years ago. the so called dogs of war special culture is a myth. its something every club says they have. remember that team in 2004 was all imported unlike the saifiti brothers. they were also breaching the salary cap the year before and lost all their points. it was an illegal team nick cotric is a good player, but he is the type of player that struggling clubs pay overs for
Wayne Turner
Guest
Plus if it all gets too hard for Barrett,he can always walk out of the job. An overrated player, becomes an overrated coach. Good luck with the quitter Bulldogs,you will need it ????
Skidmarx
Guest
The dogs will continue to sleep , so let them lay.