I know we have not yet started season 2022, but as we all know a club’s rebuild takes longer than one season and I can see trouble ahead at the Dogs next year.
Part of that starts with the over-the-top, knee-jerk reaction to getting young Kyle Flanagan on board. I am not one to knock a young man trying to make his way into NRL first grade, but the reported $450,000 per year and the length of the contract is going to come back and bite us you know where.
A good sign this season is that the Dogs will field a reserve grade side so anyone called into the side will be match fit.
So, let’s have a look as to who we have on the books for 2023.
Josh Addo-Carr, Alomoti, Corey Allen, Jake Averillo, Bailey Biondi-Odo, Braidon Burns, Matt Burton, Cook, Kyle Flanagan, Josh Jackson, Katao, Viliame Kikau, Reed Mahoney, Brent Naden, Jayden Okunbor, Tevita Pangai Jr., Chris Patolo, Aaron Schoupp, Seumanfagai, Luke Thompson, Corey Waddell.
Twelve spots left for 2023 and this is where it is going to get difficult.
Let’s now look at those who are there for this year and no ongoing contract.
Matt Doorey, Matt Dufty, Reece Hoffman, Raymond Faitala-Mariner, Jack Hetherington, Katoa, Max King, Jeremy Marshall-King, Joe Stimson, Jackson Topine, Paul Vaughan, Brandon Wakeham.
Two experienced players on the list with a one-year contract are Dufty and Vaughan and should they both have a good season they will be looking for another contract, and a pay rise.
Two young guns with limited experience are Doorey and Topine and even with limited time last year showed their value with the future in mind. As a club wanting to build a good pathways system, they cannot allow exciting youngster to go and simply attempt to buy a comp.
Max King showed what he has to offer in the opening trial and young Hoffman comes with big wraps.
The problem for next year will be dollars.
If we have to go to the market for a good half, who and how much?
if Dufty is not re-signed we will need a class fullback.
What about Addo-Carr?
Phil Gould is going to need his accountant’s hat on as well as all the others he wears, as I am sure the NRL will be keeping a very close eye on their salary cap.
Next year will be all about key positions that need to be filled and how much is left in the kitty to fill them.
As stated at the top that reported $450,000 a year for Flanagan may well come back to haunt. It could be that extra $100,000 or $200,000 that stops the Dogs from filling a major spot.
Good luck to all the teams this year – except against the Dogs.
Westie
Guest
I think you’re overestimating him. He was just alright for Penrith at the end of last season. Then got an injury. Didn’t see anything so fantastic. That’s what Brisbane saw in him also.
Westie
Guest
Other teams can also find many points through Dufty. That was St.George’s problem with him.
mach4
Roar Rookie
Happy for every player to make the most out of their time in the game, what I am discussing is salary cap for next season.
mach4
Roar Rookie
Do the Dogs have those covered in 2023?
mach4
Roar Rookie
I agree with Topine but he does not have a 2023 contract. I wonder what Bellamy or Bennett could do with him.
mach4
Roar Rookie
Negativity is about who we can keep and who we lose next year, I agree with most of what you say the elephant in the room is if someone can step up to the seven role because there will be no money next year to buy class. Should Dufty's defence come back to haunt him we could be in a position of no fullback and no seven. Start again.
mach4
Roar Rookie
Be very interesting if during the season Ado-Carr and Dufty swap positions.
Clive Lyons
Guest
Talk about these rugby league people and being obsessed with players and what they earn its sickening when will these clowns stop with it this is a game that is brutal and sometimes worst things like head injuries and brain damage that no one likes to talk about but aye their wages that is a different story just pathetic what other sport does this to its players AFL you rarely hear this bagging out a player because his on ex amount of dollars most players retire from rugby league then must work a 9 to 5 job.
Larry1950
Guest
I’ve consistently argued that any player is worth whatever a club is willing to pay them & if the club comes out behind, tough luck. Players have short career spans so Flanagan can either stand his ground or go elsewhere if the bulldogs subsidise his contract. Maybe take a payout, follow Hastings path & do 2 seasons in the English competition where he’d be as good as most halves. Broncos still shelling out for Jack Bird, that’s life. Hope he doesn’t let Gus bulldoze him, take the money while you can young man, you can’t eat your ego.
Big Daddy
Roar Rookie
Lazy being the optimum . The money some of these forwards are getting is ridiculous . As far as Flanagan is concerned the Roosters had enough sense to get rid of him early and Canterbury fell right in now they can't offload him .
Maxtruck
Roar Rookie
Dogs will not miss Jack Hetherington in 2023. They will be used to is after he sits out half of this season ( again). Same reason Broncs got rid of TPJ, no point having him on the books if he is suspended
mushi
Roar Guru
So like most talent/pay distribution curves...
Albo
Roar Rookie
Sounds about the ratio of 8 top players to cannon fodder that they have at Melbourne, Penrith, Manly & Chooks ! Seems Gus might know what is needed ?
Albo
Roar Rookie
Well that's a surprise to me ! I like Topine , but didn't realise he was that big ?
Big Daddy
Roar Rookie
Mach4, remember they have 2 feeder clubs to sort out . Plenty of troops but I'm not sure what quality is like . I think they're carrying a lot of very expensive baggage at the moment .
Adam
Roar Guru
He's a phenomenal talent and I'd love to see him grow as a player. He has a great offload but needs to know when to use it (though maybe with a more active hooker and half he doesn't need to shelve it at all). It's more his fitness and attitude that holds him back, he has a tendency to switch off too often then the ball just comes back near him and he's flat footed. If he can get fitter and more engaged for the 2x25min periods he'll be a one man wrecking crew
Nat
Roar Guru
Mate, premierships are won with elite prop, half and FB. The rest can be B+ players but hard workers and fast finishes.
Nat
Roar Guru
I would actually love to see TPJ be the best he could be. There is no other middle of his size, mobility and skillset. He could be a JT13 x Paulo beast.
Nat
Roar Guru
Doorey has a way to go and Waddell thinks he is in WWE. I think Topine is ready. He's a bit over 6.1" and coming on 100kg now. 96% tackle efficiency, good leg speed and a bit of mongrel. Put Jackson beside Flannagan and Topine running off Burton. I don't know about Topine's ball playing but he might make a Radley-style lock.
Nat
Roar Guru
And Barrett probably takes credit for that but shirley he appreciate the value of Yeo, Fish and Leota dragging the opposition middle together that allows Kikau to stampede toward the isolated half. However, my issue isn't with TPJ's attack, it's when he starts walking in defence.