Canterbury’s miserable start to the season has reached historic levels after a 38-0 loss to South Sydney made their 16 points scored in four games the worst tally in almost a century.
On Friday afternoon the Bulldogs became just the second team in NRL history to lose three straight games without scoring a point, with Cronulla in mid-2014 the only other side to slump as low.
It has now been 244 minutes of footy since the Bulldogs scored a try against Newcastle in Round 1, having since been held to zip against Penrith and Brisbane.
It is the worst start to an NRL-era season after four rounds, and their 16 points from four games is the fewest in almost a century since Glebe scored just 12 in 1928.
(Photo by Ashley Feder/Getty Images)
But it is not for the lack of trying by coach Trent Barrett’s team, with three tries going begging against the Rabbitohs in the annual Good Friday clash at Stadium Australia.
“Our attack is pedestrian, but we don’t help ourselves in the fundamental errors we’re making,” Barrett said.
“That’s one part of our game that needs to improve 100 per cent, but points come on the back of a lot of things.
“A lot of things have to happen to get across the tryline, good teams just don’t let you score.
“I know what’s wrong with our attack but this isn’t the forum to discuss it.”
The match got off to a terrible start for the Bulldogs when Lachlan Lewis remained on the field for a set despite stumbling out of a tackle and struggling to get to his feet.
Lewis was wobbly after attempting to tackle Josh Mansour six minutes in but was not immediately taken from the field where he failed a HIA.
After a week of increased attention on the NRL’s concussion protocols and the proposed introduction of an 18th man it was a poor look for the game and Barrett admitted they got it wrong.
“He should have come off straight away, we realise that,” Barrett said.
Although it was one-sided, the 23,340 fans who showed up were treated to electric attack from the Rabbitohs, with Damien Cook, Cody Walker and Latrell Mitchell on fire.
Cook shredded the Bulldogs’ soft defence around the ruck setting up near-identical tries for Walker’s double, one in each half.
The nifty five-eighth was involved again later when he chipped for the corner for Alex Johnston to cross with 20 minutes to go, while Mitchell and Adam Reynolds also got on the board late.
Walker could be in hot water, though, for elbowing Bulldogs fullback Nick Meaney in the head as well as throwing Kyle Flanagan to the ground off the ball, sparking a melee mid-way through the second half.
“I’ll check the medication he’s taking,” Bennett said of Walker’s fiery approach, insisting he did not see the Meaney incident.
“There was obviously something going on there. He had the angry pills in today.”
The Rabbitohs have now won three straight and will face Brisbane on Thursday night.
Spartacus
Roar Rookie
It's still hearsay evidence Tim and inadmissible in a court of law. I worked at a company where Les Murray and Ian Schubert worked as well, and I was told a story about how once Greg "hollywood" Hartley did something similar. After giving an incorrect penalty earlier in the game that lead to points he was given a gob full and said don't worry I'll settle things up. He then gave a "phantom penalty" for offside late in the game and ran across right in front of the posts and blew the penalty to give them an easy conversion to win the game. He turned and said; "You know what that's for". It was the square up. Hartley was almost certainly the worst referee ever to be given a whistle!
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
The 1955 final series was won by Souths with Col Pearce refereeing being a major reason. In the preliminary final the penalties were 26-9 with 15-1 in the second half. Ken Kearney asked what the reason for a scrum penalty was and Pearce said "to show you who is boss". It was not a good look for the game. In 1909 like 1969 Souths and Balmain were well ahead of the rest and it was a pity there was no final. In 1969 Balmain didn't sheet and it was no fluke, their defence was great as Souths could not score a try. In the major semi final Souths won by 14-13 but Balmain showed they were a big chance.
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
The 1955 final series was won by Souths with Col Pearce refereeing being a major reason. In the preliminary final the penalties were 26-9 with 15-1 in the second half. Ken Kearney asked what the reason for a scrum penalty was and Pearce said "to show you who is boss". It was not a good look for the game. In 1909 like 1969 Souths and Balmain were well ahead of the rest and it was a pity there was no final. In 1969 Balmain didn't cheat and it was no fluke, their defence was great as Souths could not score a try. In the major semi final Souths won by 14-13 but Balmain showed they were a big chance.
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
You make some very good historical points Spartacas but my point is that in the limited tackle game and the NRL years Souths and St.George have been much less successful. Souths do look like a big chance this year but Melbourne are the club that have become the dominant force despite their salary cap sheeting.
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
You make some very good historical points Spartacas but my point is that in the limited tackle game and the NRL years Souths and St.George have been much less successful. Souths do look like a big chance this year but Melbourne are the club that have become the dominant force despite their salary cap cheating.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
The Knights won three spoons in a row not so long ago and I recall an article on the Roar from a fan saying he had given up hope. My words at the time said that the good times can return and it can happen pretty quickly. The Titans were strong favorites for the spoon last year. Manly , the Cow , the Dog and the lame horse are all plodding along very badly at the moment but I'm guessing it's not a permanent state of affairs. Some of the top teams will fall just as quickly as the quartet of 2021 plodders did and they will be replaced. It's a certainty.
Spartacus
Roar Rookie
"we have different definitions of winning!" Like Souths have the 2014 premiership title and the Bulldogs don't? That's my definition of winning! :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
zonecadet
Roar Rookie
Storm because, well they are the Storm, Panthers because of the woefully easy draw someone has given them, again.
Tony
Roar Guru
:laughing: :laughing:
kk
Roar Pro
No doubting their ability, but the lesser light forwards need another season. One of them may develop into that vital enforcer role. More stability in the centres would be a bonus. Your a wise man limiting your betting to the Cup. Since the pommy corporates took over the odds are dynamite with value hard to find. jimmmy got on The Storm to win comp. @$7.50. That is value.
andrew
Roar Rookie
Psychiatry by correspondence. Tell me Tony, do you lie down on your couch to study?
andrew
Roar Rookie
Sounds about right. Bennett will be looking forward to it.
Kilgore Trout
Roar Rookie
Great comments about happier times and different clubs .It seems no one wants to talk about how dire things appear at the Dogs . Granted they lost a playmaker early but no points for 3 games ? Napa has been on the slide for a long time now and Hetherington is a really similar style of player . Every pack needs some huff and puff like these two provide but some skill and consistency goes a long way too . Tamou hasn't been setting the comp on fire at the Tigers so far but I can see him providing some stability and having the desired effect on the younger guys there. I'm not convinced the Dogs have that guy in the forwards . It's an oversight by Barrett and is similar to the oversight by Seibold last year . I hope the Dogs can pull something together for 2021 .
Spartacus
Roar Rookie
"akin to a Bart Cummings Cup special. Get on!" Do you remember the 1970 Melbourne Cup winner, Baghdad Note? It was a rank outsider which just happened to be born the same year I was. I was off school sick with measles, and it was "the kids special of the day". I asked mum to put $2 on for me. Well it romped home! My mum's face was first ashen with disbelief then scarlet when she had to confess she did back it for me because as she said, she thought "it wouldn't have won if it had started yesterday". My point mate? Sometimes roughy's get up. The favourites, the pure thoroughbreds can come in second. I've got a feeling this is the Year of the Rabbit kk. Get on that! And, remember to gamble responsibly. :stoked: FYI, I am not a gambler and I only bet on the Melbourne Cup in mum's memory. I grew up listening to horse racing and race previews on the radio because that was mum's passion not mine. It bored me silly.
Spartacus
Roar Rookie
Mark you must have missed my comments concerning medical retirements from the time Steve Matai and Anthony Watmough missed out on medical retirement under the salary cap which was long before Sam Burgess or Greg Inglis. I said the same thing about Brett Stewart and I will say the same thing for the Roosters with Boyd Cordner, Jake Friend and potentially Luke Keary. The same thing applies for the Cowboys and Michael Morgan. It is the NRL's responsibility to compensate their players for chronic injuries that originated in the workplace. No club should be left to foot the bill and be penalised under the salary cap for that. Simply put that is the NRL's responsibility NOT the clubs IMO. I have always been consistent with that argument.
Spartacus
Roar Rookie
Andrew, I’ll tip Souths to win by 20+ with Cody Walker or 10+ if Benji has to fill in for Cody. But the Broncos can start on zero the same as any other club and earn their points. :silly:
Spartacus
Roar Rookie
Your first statement is speculation and your next two points are hearsay evidence Tim, but I'll take your word for it. The stork didn't fly me into the burrow until at least 3 weeks before Christmas in 1965. The one thing I will concede though is that Souths should be a little embarrassed about the circumstances surrounding their 1909 premiership on reneging on an agreement to boycott the GF which was being played as a curtain raiser for a Rugby Union test between the Wallabies and the All Blacks. Souths turned up and got the trophy when Balmain were no shows and forfeited the game. Balmain made up for that though in 1969 when they cheated their way to victory by lying down to slow the game down and disrupt Souths rhythm which was against the spirit of the game. So in my mind one thing rules out the other.
kk
Roar Pro
Thanks Spartacus. May good health and good fortune grace your path.
Spartacus
Roar Rookie
And the Dragons had 2/3 of the Australian side and unlimited tackle rule in their favour when they won their 11 straight premierships. The Brisbane Broncos had the junior nursery of the entire state of QLD almost an entire QLD Origin side and over half the incumbent Australian test side in their team during their period of success. The chooks won their last 3 premierships in 2013, 2018 and 2019 despite being between $2 mill - $4.5 mill over the salary cap. The Storm won half their premierships also (now stripped) being over the salary cap. Manly won a couple of premierships with Stephen Dank mixing his special performance winning cocktails which he then brought to the Sharks who while being investigated for salary cap irregularities won their maiden premiership. What's your point Tim? Every era in the game has its own story. Souths are no different but at least they didn't cheat the salary cap or take PEDs to win them or have the luxury of having a full Origin side run out for them each week.
Spartacus
Roar Rookie
I'm a BIG fan of Harry Grant jimmmy. Outside of the Rabbitohs Grant was the player I most closely watched and admired from other clubs. If not for his period of injury he would have won the Dally M for sure. Still, you would have to admit that Damien Cook is still the best hooker currently in the game and yesterday's performance and his performance against the Roosters only helped to confirm that. From before the season started my prediction for the top 3 at the end of the season was; 1. Panthers, 2. Rabbitohs, 3. Storm and I also said I felt it would be the Rabbitohs in the GF playing either the Panthers or the Storm. I am sticking solid with that prediction mate and so far I see nothing to convince me I was mistaken. Time will tell though. A lot can still happen yet. As the Roosters fans are painfully aware.