So now it’s the Foxx.
For any lifetime Bulldog fan under 45, you would be hoping that the first long term period of failure in our adult years is almost over.
Nick Cotric, Kyle Flanagan and Matt Burton signed on top of Jack Hetherington and Corey Waddell joining Josh Jackson’s pups. Jake Averillo, Lachlan Lewis, Nick Meany, Jeremy Marshall-King, Jayden Okunbor and the like means 2021/2022 offers great promise. At least we’re hoping for a fight for the eight in 2021 and more the following year.
Whether or not Burton and Flanagan will be the answer, Trent Barrett has a lot more to work with than prior caretaker Steve Georgallis and his ever grim-faced predecessor Dean Pay. The question then is whether or not those two were thrown under the bus with their understrength squads, especially given Pay getting well above the wooden spoon in 2018 and 2019 with lads given no hope. Georgallis got them so close in so many games and it is hard to blame the coach in those situations.
Some may put forward it takes a complete overhaul to turn a club around from such a dire situation, and a new coaching team led by a fresh mindset is just what was needed. It’s hard to argue with that, which is why Georgallis was probably more hard done by given the promise he showed in such a short time. In his first game in charge Aiden Tolman sidestepped (giving many a fan minor palpitations), Jackson was running solid lines from wide of the ruck and JMK was even running from dummy half.
There was hope for a time and every week the phrase “the Dogs don’t deserve the spoon with games like this” or “this mob are so much better than Brisbane” were the only positives on the back of so many losses until they crept past the Broncos at the post.
Pay had more time to mould a young squad but in the end the creativity was lacking, even if the effort fluctuated like the 2020 stock market. At times they played with so much heart you were reminded why “Dogs of War” used to be a common phrase at Belmore. Other times though, truth be told, they looked like a bunch of park footballers.
Yet the key sign that he wasn’t up to scratch was the lack of creativity. You don’t need the best squad to introduce new training drills and attack formations, especially close to the opposition line, but I saw few or none of them over the past couple of years. The wins that came were often on the back of free-flowing long range attacks unleashed at the end of the season when it was too late.
Pay let the lads loose a little too late two seasons running. That tells me he never really had the game plan to build them up in the first place.
Between the two I think Georgallis earned another season at least, but I understand Barret was also about bringing in new players. Despite his limited success in his early years at Manly, there was a lot of positive feedback coming out of Penrith and players saw him as more of a shining light than Georgallis. You have to feel for Georgallis but it just wasn’t the right time for him to take over a team. When is it for any new coach?
Regardless, the choice is now made and all Dogs fans will certainly hope its the right one, just like we hope the Josh Addo-Carr and Burton can get an early release.
Bloke7
Roar Rookie
Georgalis did more in his time with lesser players than Barrett had shown so far.
Tony
Roar Guru
more hoping that the Dragons don't sign him
Chris.P.Bacon
Guest
.....now that's just being cruel Barry! ( :stoked: )
Tony
Roar Guru
Don't worry Crispy, the Tigers will probably sign him to replace Packer
Chris.P.Bacon
Guest
"Napa needs to go.." ....absolutely Barry, he's a plodder however 2021 is his last contracted year so I expect him to put in a little more effort next season in the hope for a renewal - from someone. I'd be suggesting he takes a nice trip to the ESL. That'll free up some decent coin we've invested in him - and what a poor investment this pillow's been.
Mike Rotch
Guest
They should improve. I've got them finishing 3rd last next season.
Paul
Roar Guru
Were either Georgalis or Pay good enough coaches to still be there now there's some salary cap money to spend? Clearly the Board didn't think so and given the results over a few years, that's fair enough. Yes both were lumbered with guys they probably didn't want, but they still had 30 first graders good enough to win more games than they did. The same sort of issue applied to MacGregor at the Dragons. The coaches had fair to middling players but couldn't get them to win.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Fair enough, the one and probably only good point about DWZ is he takes a mean hit up for his forwards. Dylan has reached his line in the sand moment. Knights first up where he's given the Klemmer challenge..no more messing about with him for that much money. Baz could do worse than sniffing around his network at Manly for Cade Cust (6 and 9) who's been treated pretty poorly by Des and compounded by bringing Keiran back over the top of him.
Mr Right
Roar Rookie
The only way is up. I am sure most realistic Canterbury fans would agree that this side doesn't put us in the premiership window but provides some light at the end of the tunnel. A bit of on-field success & balanced pay deals should be able to keep our best players & attract new ones. I don't think we will be seeing Addo-Carr or Burton at Belmore in 2021 but it would be great if we could.
john florenca
Guest
Luke thompson wont be in the team for round 1, he is suspended. Prefer Meaney over DWZ. Ogden starting and napa on bench for me
catcat
Roar Rookie
Deano and Steve did a good job for the club in a difficult period. Now we have a cheque book again recruitment is key. Barrett appears to be attracting players to the club. Not sure Deano would have the same connections for recruitment. Yet to see how well Barrett will go coaching week to week. Roll on 2021 and we’ll find out!
mushi
Roar Guru
There wasn't a cheque book for Pay (which is ironic!) because of their cap management
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
Two ex Manly coaches in recent years. Manly might be the last club sticking to the myth that you can only win with an ex player.
Nat
Roar Rookie
Good luck to the Dogs. Finally after years of every player getting linked to the club, they're actually landing a few. I'm yet to see anything from Barrett that he has earned the Chq book and time where the others didn't.
max power
Guest
its still a pretty poor side. really none of the buys are top nrl players
Tony
Roar Guru
Not a bad line up but the lack experience in the halves willhurtthem. They should rush out and buy Widdop. Also, Napa needs to go. He hasn't played a decent game since he single handedly destroyed the entire Souths pack a few years ago.
Rob
Guest
Outside backs and forwards look strong but I still worry about their spine. They could do with an experienced hooker to help their young halves but their really isn't any available. Thought McCullough could of been an option but think he's back at the Broncos now.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
What's done is done. Dogs fans would have to be happy with the personnell representing the club for next year. Round 1 side could look like : Hopoate Okunbor Cotric Averillo DWZ Burton Flanagan Napa JMK Hetherington Jacko RFT Elliot L Thompson Ogden Stimson Waddell ( all black Hensen consultant) pressure on Bazz.