Three years, three floods. What are the odds?
Even if Australia’s east coast residents took a punt after the 2020 catastrophe, only Meat Loaf diehards would’ve backed an unfathomable two out of three.
When it rains it pours.
In NRL terms, if anyone looks stranded by rising waters, it’s star Canterbury recruit Josh Addo-Carr.
From the lofty heights of Melbourne to a lonely Bulldogs wing. The silver service that yielded 96 tries in five seasons and two titles now looks a world away.
If last week’s debut as a Doggie is a sign of things to come, then the quality ball has all but dried up and the lustre of one of the game’s favourites is about to be tarnished.
On the one hand, playing inside the likes of Cooper Cronk, Cameron Munster and Jahrome Hughes is almost foolproof. While on the other, big spending in the absence of established playmakers should be considered foolhardy.
Stability in the halves has been a problem at Canterbury since the departure of Trent Hodkinson seven years ago.
Not that Canterbury have been afraid to try and buy themselves out of the hole.
Last season Kyle Flanagan and Nic Cotric arrived on sizable deals with a promise to tick the scoreboard over.
For whatever reason, Flanagan’s confidence went up in smoke and in a rudderless backline Cotric struggled for involvement before injury stalled his season after 14 appearances. Rattled and homesick, the former Origin winger quickly negotiated his way back to the nation’s capital.
This year Addo-Carr and Matt Burton head more than a handful of established stars to have signed on at Belmore.
Josh Addo-Carr of the Bulldogs. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
Burton holds the key. A five-eighth with a monster boot, his all round skills at Penrith saw him named at centre in last season’s NRL team of the year.
But without the calming guidance of Nathan Cleary and with only 10 top-grade starts in the halves himself, the expectations are enormous.
Burton’s too talented to find himself heading down the Flanagan path, but the last thing Canterbury need is a footy starved Addo-Carr angling for an early exit.
Newcastle find themselves in the same boat. With the Dolphins circling, Adam O’Brien is fast running out of time to bed down a strategy that delivers the best of Kalyn Ponga.
Even with the experienced Mitchell Pearce at the helm, the Knights were clunky at best last season and by no means close to bedding down a formula that released Ponga on a regular basis.
Jake Clifford enters the season with the weight of Newcastle on his shoulders. At 24, the former North Queensland No.6 will steer the Knights’ ship. But if the wins don’t mount there’s talk Ponga, whose final two seasons beyond 2022 are options in his favour, may commit to Bennett before the season is done.
And who could blame him.
If Pearce, with 10 seasons of Origin under his belt, couldn’t lay a regular platform from which to launch the attack then what hope has Clifford got?
Man management is one thing but without a successful strategy, only a Johnathan Thurston type can cover the cracks.
It’s a scenario that should see Ponga relocate to Redcliffe, and one that should shine a light on coaching mediocrity.
For some, O’Brien and Barrett deserve more time to make their mark. But after several seasons, 2022 is the fork in the road.
Results are one thing, but just as important to the NRL and its broadcasters is setting the stage for the biggest stars to shine.
Maxtruck
Roar Rookie
2021 origin Ponga out injured games 1 & 2, NSW win both games 2021 Origin game 3 Ponga has a blinder and Qld win
Westie
Guest
He didn’t do badly at the Roosters. It’s just that at the Roosters, they are always looking to buy in the next best player.
Panthers
Guest
So Moylan to the Bulldogs next year? He is a from Penrith. You have Gould & Barrett at the Bulldogs. Wouldn’t be surprised to see it. Gould is great , setting up the junior system & stopping a club from going broke. On the player side? Not always so good. Like keeping a Mansour to let a Sivo go. Or just keep on signing a useless Whare?
Jimbo
Guest
That’s a bit tough on Ponga. Even if Newcastle loses, doesn’t mean that he hasn’t personally played well? You can’t do everything for the team from fullback. Unless you’re Tom Turbo?
Jimbo
Guest
Only problem with your stats there. He was playing centre , when the other 2 were in the team. Good news for the Bulldogs , that he’s a top centre. Move him there permanently, then they have zero good halves .
Jimbo
Guest
Don’t worry. Next year they’ll be buying a lot more players. Never let a little thing like a salary cap, stand in the way of a good buying spree.
ForeverBok
Roar Rookie
Ponga is over hyped and not worth the money - or an Origin jersey. Perhaps one good game in 10.
Albo
Roar Rookie
I think Gus is a Barrett fan ? But that can always change if Gus needs a scapegoat !
Westie
Guest
Then other teams can just run over him straight away, instead of waiting to run over him on the try line.
Limping Rabbits
Guest
Does that go for South’s, with that clown Mitchell?
Jimbo
Guest
Burton is a top player. He will bring a lot more points to the Bulldogs. Even the trials showed that he’s Gold , compared to the other Tin halves there. Only problem with that is when he gets heavily marked , as he’s the threat in attack. Or he gets injured. If the other halves don’t work out there, what next? They’ll be out to buy another half or two from elsewhere. Having said that , a top hooker like Mahoney will also bring massive improvement next season. Just look at the difference at Penrith, with Korisau, to without Korisau a couple of seasons ago,
Jason Hosken
Roar Guru
Hey Albo, what do you make of the Gus influence - could it cramp Baz’s style.
Albo
Roar Rookie
Totally agree with you SM ! But I am hoping that now that they have finally met on the park, Gould or Barrett might get a plan going ? You can't show your hand too early ! :silly:
Short Memory
Roar Rookie
Hey Also, agree you can't put too much store in a couple of trial games. But did you get any idea from watching either game what the Doggies were trying to do? What their game plan or playing style was? If you did, give me a sec to go grab a hat so I can take it off to you, because to me they seriously looked like they'd just met in the parking lot.
Nat
Roar Guru
My point is up there and quite obvious. Feel free to grasp it sometime.
Succhi
Roar Rookie
I hope Kyle has a good year - but the kid was under enormous pressure with his Dad, Roosters and the Bulldogs then paying overs for him and expecting miracles. None of his doing.
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
Benji's brother is no hooker/dummy half. He almost makes Michael Lichaa look good in that position and surely he was the Dogs worst hooker.
KenW
Roar Rookie
My point was that their win rates in the previous 2 seasons were 12% & 15%. Saying that Dogs fans will be happy if Burton lifts them to at least 60% seems a bit of an unfair benchmark for a rookie half. In your last comment it doesn’t appear that’s what you were saying though
Christov
Guest
Yeah 60% win would get them into the finals so I think they would be over the moon to make the 8. I don't think is their expectations though - not too sure what you mean. All I am saying is if the Dogs win 60% of their games the fans will definately be happy
Jason Hosken
Roar Guru
I've got no idea, I guess Souths is his area. I'd like to see him succeed at the Dogs that's for sure.