If anything has come out of 2021, it’s how the game has changed, like it or lump it. Adapt or perish.
I don’t care what other clubs do. I’m a Bulldogs man through and through, and the first thing on my wish list for next season is that every player currently signed to the 30-man squad has the ability to play a minimum of 70 minutes without being totally gassed. It’s a big ask, yes, but that should be the aim.
As high performance consultant Steve Hansen said, “Live out the values you set from the top down, not the bottom up”.
Last year showed us that there have to be major changes to the way a club is prepared. I do not think I have ever seen a season with so many injuries – The game is so fast, and there’s a relentless physicality at speed.
So the preseason will not be just about coaches but about the likes Dan Ferris, the head of high performance, and Luke Portese, the strength and conditioning coach, to think about how they go about things in the off-season.
But what is really important to me is to see coaches actually coach.
The 30 players currently signed have an average age of a tad under 24, and that includes some with no NRL games and some with 200. As far as I’m concerned, a team cannot improve unless individuals improve, and that comes down to coaching. Individual coaching one on one, not just plays on a whiteboard.
Last year a lot of people were happy to bag young Kyle Flanagan, who was told to go away and work on his natural game. Instead he should have been coached – the coach should have assessed his strengths and weaknesses and worked with him to give him confidence.
This has to happen with all the young pups on the team for next year.
Pundits are already criticising the fact that we do not have an effective first-class spine, but the raw talent is there; let’s see if the coaches are up to the job.
The kids in the team are young and hungry to learn. Ask them to turn up an extra couple of days a week just for skills training and you will soon sort the wheat from the chaff. They will come gratefully knowing you have confidence enough to give them more of your time and knowledge.
Trent Barrett and David Furner have well over 300 games as coaches between them, and Barrett has over 300 games as a player and is still a relatively young man who can relate to these young guys.
These youngsters at the Dogs are more readily adaptable to the game’s changes. Take this on board and prepare them to be ahead of the rest for next season.
Combine that with Gus Gould wanting to work with the pathways by establishing an ongoing chain of potential first-graders, working with a great coach like Mick Potter at the Mounties, a man with 205 games as a player and 271 games as a coach, there is no reason why the Dogs cannot return to their former glory over the next couple of seasons.
Next season does not start with who we have signed; it will be about how coaches mould them into a cohesive unit using all the tools at their disposal.
Man management, skills management, faith and trust in the youngsters, having the senior players mentor individuals – there is not one young player on our list who does not want to better themselves, so maybe a little less whiteboard and a little more individual skills training. Watch them grow in confidence – that’s what wins you matches.
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
I'm not sure if you are trying to endorse or contradict my point. How many of those forwards would make the starting 17 of any of the top 6 clubs?
mach4
Roar Rookie
15 forwards on the books average age 25.46 average number of games 96.2
Tony
Roar Guru
Thanks for the info Paul. Hadn't heard that. Disappointing.
Paul
Guest
Brad Morkos , to the Raiders. Tyran Wishart to the Storm. David Riolo’s son to the Sharks. Brett Rodwell’s son to the Roosters.
Tony
Roar Guru
Who are the 4 you are referring to Paul?
Paul
Guest
What’s Griffin & the board doing at St.George? There’s 4 of their brightest young prospects leaving the club. Including a young centre who’s going to the Raiders . To go straight into their top 30 squad. Yet St.George are signing players like Moga , who are just so, so players.
Malo
Guest
You I reckon Burton is the key, I’d make him captain at 5/8. If doesn’t work put him in the centre’s. He is a great level headed footballer. I think they may scrape the 8 if they have a simple cohesive game plan. Gould will do wonders. They have bought well, a lot better than the tigers or broncos
Tony
Roar Guru
He'll also have to "pick and stick" once he decides upon his preferred spine, so that they can build a combination
Albo
Roar Rookie
No Doubt. But I think he has the make up to handle that. Just hope he has enough supporting players around him ?
Paul
Roar Guru
I've only just seen this piece, but it's a really good first article. The simple point you make is exactly right. The coaches have to stamp their mark on this squad. Some guys will need a lot of attention while others will need more direction. There's no way the Storm for example, would be the success they've been without a guy like Bellamy to work with the players. It's clear he has improved the vast majority of guys who have come into his system, including the Cam Smiths. Slater and Cronks. If he's good enough, the talent is there for Barrett to turn 3 or 4 guys into a very competitive spine. To suggest he shouldn't have to coach some players makes no sense, when looking at what Trent Robinson has done with Sam Walker. I don't think there can be any excuses for Barrett, bar a slew of injuries. He needs to work hard in the off season, so the Doggies hit the ground running in round one.
mach4
Roar Rookie
Thanks.
Tony
Roar Guru
Good first article mach4. Welcome to the jungle. :happy:
Tony
Roar Guru
I think Burton is going to be under a heap of pressure next year
Redcap
Roar Guru
It's going to be an interesting year for the Dogs. You can make a case that they're not that far away from having a decent spine - whether it's achievable in practice is another matter. It needs some very good coaching, as you say. Between the Flanagan and Biondi-Odo have the ability to be a good halves paring. Personally, I reckon Burton would make a very good fullback. I don't mind Marshall-King, but he's probably a good 14 (Nathan Fien 2.0) rather than a good 9. I always thought they should try Lachlan Lewis at 9. Oh well, that's not happening.
Albo
Roar Rookie
I think the Bulldogs are desperate for an on field game manager more than anything else. Its a long time since they have had someone like Terry Lamb or Steve Mortimer. Maybe Burton will become such a game manager to lead them around the park ? But if not, I can't see who else has the ability ? They have plenty of talented individuals, but need a leader on the park, for mine.
Maxtruck
Roar Rookie
What the Bulldogs need in 2022 ? A HEAD COACH ! How did Manly go with Barret as coach ? How did the Panthers go WITHOUT Barrett ?
Murray Fosts
Guest
Definitely my most detested team in the comp and always has been , and their run at the bottom of the ladder hasn't changed that, I'd be happy to see them get the spoon fir the next twenty years , or at least share them with the broncos. And the good news is that Barrett will more than likely secure a bottom four finish for the foreseeable future.
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
And to confuse the issue further for the Dogs, they have signed Matt Burton to play 5/8 when he is clearly better suited to centre. They have Jake Averillo playing HB (he isn't one) as is indicated on the Bulldogs' website, where they still list him as a centre. Bailey Biondi-Odo looks sharp and is a HB, but they are playing him at hooker in favour of either Jake Averillo or Kyle Flanagan. In short, it seems that Trent Barrett was more focused on his lawn furniture catalogue than his recruitment and team selections. As per my previous comment (link below) the Dogs also have not invested enough in overhauling their forwards. IMHO, the Dogs' pack will get dominated in 2022 by the better sides in the competition. If they have no go forward, they have no foundation to build on or to showcase their new backline. https://www.theroar.com.au/2021/10/07/nrl-season-review-part-1-the-cellar-dwellars/?comment_id=8193796#comments-section
RLFan
Roar Rookie
I also heard rumours of differences between Barret and Furner, which would probably have been because Barret's priority was on attack and kept chopping and changing the team each week. Perception with the fans was that he was picking "favourites". It would have been difficult for any defence coach. TB spent the better part of the season trying to turn Alivaro into a halfback, which is not his natural position. Flanagan spent 12 months under one of the top coaches at the Roosters and he was underwhelming at the Dogs and deserved to be dropped. Of the three halves I think Wakeham is more of an organising half, but he also leaves a lot to be desired. I agree that will be where their weakness will be this year.
Opposed Session
Roar Rookie
The word on the street was that Barrett and Furner relationship was not travelling well. Also that Ferris is not well respected in the performance industry. If that’s true, that sounds like an interesting environment for the new signings. They have recruited well but it does look a little out of balance without a genuine 7 or 9 at elite level. Top 4 teams have at least one of them on the books. Be better to get one of those to build at team around.