The boos from their fans said it all. Misery loves company, and the Bulldogs let the Wests Tigers know they weren’t alone this weekend.
Less than 24 hours after the Tigers copped a 74-point hammering, Canterbury were also hammered and held scoreless, going down 66-0 to the Knights in a club-record win for the visitors at Accor Stadium.
After all the talk calling for coach Adam O’Brien to be sacked, along with it being Beanies for Brain Cancer Round led by former Knights fan favourite Mark Hughes, it helped make the win on Sunday extra special.
“It’s been an emotional week for the team, for the club, for myself,” said O’Brien. “Just really proud to get the result and get a smile on everyone’s face for a couple of hours.
“The record win is something for this group to hang onto. It’s a great piece of history for the players.”
Not everyone loved the historical match, unable to endure the entire 80-minute annihilation, with many of the blue and white army leaving well before the final whistle.
The Knights ran riot, continuously piercing through the Bulldogs’ paper-thin defence. Kalyn Ponga couldn’t put a foot wrong during his side’s 11 tries to zip thumping, finishing the day with three try assists, nine tackle breaks and two line breaks. And just for fun, he kicked 11/11.
“To get that win is pretty special,” said Ponga. “Things just kept flowing for us.”
On the flip side, the Bulldogs just couldn’t seem to do anything right, and their disgusted fans let them know.
It was a woeful display from the home side on both sides of the ball, completing at just 64 per cent, missing a whopping 66 tackles, and making just one line break compared to the Knights’ 13.
“Defensively from the Dogs, they are one of the worst in the competition,” said Fox League’s Corey Parker at half-time. “And today, they are showing us why.”
Both teams came into this game with just five wins on the board in 2023, with the Knights just a nose in front on the ladder thanks to a draw with the Sea Eagles in Round 5. Despite sitting next to each other in spots 12 and 13, the teams looked worlds apart as the Knights put on try after try with ease. At one point Fox League commentator Steve Roach even called the Bulldogs’ efforts “too hard to watch.”
“It was one of those games where the harder we tried the worse it got,” said Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo.
“It’s an embarrassing moment, it’s a disappointing moment. We knew things would be hard at different times this year but probably not this hard.”
While the opening stages were scattered with errors from both sides, once the Knights got going there was no stopping them. Jackson Hastings opened the scoring in the 15th minute after breaking through the defensive line, and it wasn’t long before the Newcastle attack was at it again, with a double pump from Ponga close to the line getting the Bulldogs in two minds before he offloaded to Bradman Best to stroll over for the visitor’s second try.
The four-pointers kept coming for the Knights as Lachlan Fitzgibbon spun his way across the try line in his first game back from a concussion. Capitalising on another Bulldogs error, Ponga found Phoenix Crossland backing up on the inside to dive over the try line.
The Knights fullback was weaving his magic once more, again breaking through to set up Best for his second try of the day and see the Knights take a 30-0 lead at halftime.
The pain continued for the home side straight after the break, with Kurt Mann joining the score sheet. Bulldogs fans breathed a sigh of relief when Best was denied a third try after the bunker found a knock-on in the lead-up, but he earnt himself a try assist in the next set when he sent winger Greg Marzhew over in the corner.
Hastings soon crossed for the Knights eighth try of the day, while Best followed it up by finally getting his first career hat-trick in the 56th minute Enari Tuala helped his team reach 60, followed by Crossland grabbing his second and his team 11th try.
The day was summed up perfectly when the Bulldogs looked certain to post their first points of the game with a consolation try as the clock ticked down, only for the replay to show Crossland hand held up the ball over the line as the siren sounded, denying the try and leaving the home side stranded on zero.
Dog day afternoon indeed.
There were big expectations on the back of the Bulldogs heading into this season. With a new coach coming across from the premiers along with more big names from across the competition, fans had their sights set on their first top-eight appearance in a long time.
But another poor performance resulting in an embarrassing loss has supporters screaming from the rooftops for changes to the team sheet. But Ciraldo believes that quick fixes and cuts are not the answer.
“It’s not changes that are going to fix this. This is a cultural thing that has happened for years and years now – the habit of losing.
“Obviously today is worse than most weeks, but we want to change the culture of the place from the ground up. We are not going to look for short-term fixes or changes, that might get us a little result next week. We want to change the culture of the club into a winning culture.”
Skipper Reed Mahoney admitted he could hear the boos as he made his way from the ground and acknowledged the frustration from the fans.
“They are upset and frustrated, and so are we,” said Mahoney. “We don’t want that to happen, we want them behind us.
“The fans don’t have the right to do that. Well they do in a way, but we are working really hard and it is not easy at the moment.
“We are trying really hard … we need our members and our fans to get behind us because we are working really hard.”
How do you feel about that, Doggies fans?
After a tough season with a concussion issue and a controversial positional change, the Newcastle marquee player was back to his sensational best with the number one on his back.
All seemed right with the world again as Ponga produced a perfect 80 minutes to get his side back in the winner’s circle.
While rugby league coaches sometimes need to tinker with the team and create some interesting calls, it’s safe to say that the Ponga five-eighth experiment is dead and buried, never to be spoken about again.
Maxtruck
Roar Rookie
Bulldogs had the bye round 17, Should have gone to Bali !
andyfnq
Roar Rookie
good job :rugby:
The Barry
Roar Guru
They started off not trying hard and it got worse during the game
The Barry
Roar Guru
It’s not bizarre at all It absolutely makes sense Cheering is feedback for good performance. Booing is feedback for poor performance You don’t need players permission The players were absolutely terrible on Sunday. The favs booing are people who’ve followed the club for years and spend their hard earned on jerseys, tickets, Foxtel subscriptions so they can follow their team If players don’t want to get booed, don’t put in performances like Sunday and they’ll be right. Cop it on the chin and be better 1 in 500 games end with fans booping? It’s not like it’s an epidemic
The Barry
Roar Guru
But I wouldn’t walk up to a football player in a pub and cheer and whistle and chant their name to their face either Would you? I doubt it. So if you wouldn’t do it to their face, you shouldn’t do it at the ground It’s not the right test I agree that abuse and threats are cowardice but booing is just feedback. Cheer when you’re happy, boo when you’re not Cheering is by far more common than booing. It takes a special kind of ineptitude and lack of effort to get your fans to boo you… and that’s what we saw on Sunday As I said to jimmmy, I’ve never booed my own team, but I’m not sure I could have resisted on the weekend I was absolutely disgusted at halftime and full time
Smoked
Roar Rookie
The recruitment is where it’s all gone wrong IMO. I remember being surprised at the amount of cash being splashed, particularly at the positions and types of player. Big money on Addo Car over another prop or back rower. Reed Mahoney has been replaced seamlessly by Brendan hands at a fraction of the cost over at the eels. TP is good game breaker, but expensive. They could take a leaf out of the Dolphins recruitment play book. They are not amazing, but they have a solid core of capable players that they can build on.
Andrew01
Roar Rookie
“It was one of those games where the harder we tried the worse it got,” said Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo That wasn't my take away. That is like Sheens on Saturday night scoffing at the quesiton on whether his team quit. It would actually be easier to fix if the team just stopped trying, than trying to massage answers about how they were all putting in the effort and it wasn't coming off. At the end of the day, the Dogs weren't beaten by Api/Cleary/Luai, or Cook/Reynolds/Walker. They gave up 60+ points to Crossland/Gamble/Hastings. Crossland had 3 line breaks in his first 50 games. He had 2 yesterday in his 51st. Gamble is a fringe first grader and Hastings is a toiler.
Adam
Roar Guru
He's on the telly tonight so he should have plenty to say
Nick
Roar Rookie
I'd also add booing is absolute cowardice. You are a face behind a fence and security guards... Where the players can't go. I'll bet good dosh not one of these booers would do it to their face in a pub. So basically, my philosophy is that if you aren't prepared to do it directly to them in their face, don't do it in the cheap seats.
Nick
Roar Rookie
Bizarre logic, TB Because they soak in adulation they therefore should cop booing? They didn't ask you to cheer either, remember? Anyway, we'll have to agree to disagree.
andrew
Roar Rookie
Don't hold your breath Tony.
Adz Sportz
Roar Guru
Culture is built on attitude and effort and the Bulldogs showed none of it yesterday. It was a disgraceful performance and their long suffering fans had every right to boo them! Reed Mahoney had no right to call them out for it, he should have apologized. As for the Knights, the Ponga to five-eighth experiment should never be allowed to happen again.
The Barry
Roar Guru
…and the Dogs went ok in the back half of last season under Potter, defence still shaky but attack looked good… it’s not like the team was in tatters. They’ve gone backwards. Maybe that’s to be expected with the injury crisis I don’t understand the lack of ideas. He’s had a couple of good games, but Burton at 7 isn’t working. King as starting proper isn’t working. Okunbor as an 80 minute edge isn’t remotely working. Perham at fullback isn’t working. Alamoti is looking tired, slowing down and looks like he needs a spell None of those things are major but the accumulation is having a big impact Bulldogs are sitting on top of the NSW Cup ladder. I know that’s a long way from NRL, but there must be a couple of players who have earned a shot. Blake Wilson and Joash Papali’i have gone well at fullback. Bailey Hayward looks sharp at 7. Quai-Ward and Skelton in the outside backs. Kautoga is raw but rips in and looks likely as a bench forward Maybe second tier salary cap prevents us playing these guys and that’s why Ciraldo is sticking with the same faces For all the players we have coming in or back next year, we don’t have a 7 and we don’t have big middles coming in. As you say the two OBVIOUS weaknesses in the team As far as I know Thompson hasn’t been re-signed for next season
RLFan
Roar Rookie
I do not profess to be an expert, just someone who has watched League for a long time, and it has been obvious to me that we lack experienced forwards. Our forwards are small compared to other teams, TPJ has the size, but not the will and Pele is a rookie. King and Preston (also a Rookie) have been our starting forwards, and must be feeling the pinch, probably carrying injuries. Too many rookies in the backs - short on experience, a recipe for disaster. Don't forget that last year the team had Jackson, who led by example. Halfback is of course is a problem, but that doesn't mean the defence has to be in tatters. Time for Ciraldo and Gus to aim up, not talk losing culture bull......
The Barry
Roar Guru
Not too far wrong Perham probably isn’t a first grade footy player and definitely not a fullback. Ciraldo has mentioned that he’s been a fan since coaching him as a teen. That concerns me, because he’s putting his personal relationship ahead of what any half knowledgeable fan can see I disagree that JAC is out of form. He’s been fine and scored 8 tries in 11 games ina struggling team. He needs to get the ball in open play and neither the Dogs yesterday or NSW in the two Origin games have done that once between them Alamoti started well but it’s his rookie season. A spell in reggies - with proper explanation why - would probably do him some good Averillo and Kiraz have been playing well Rajab was exposed by his own team mates as much as Newcastle Burton is not a half back and he’s a great centre but he’s definitely a 6 King loses every contest, both sides of the ball. TPJ was going ok until Fittler got hold of him Mahoney definitely overplaying his hand. His kick on the 4th a perfect example. No one else knew it was on. Still, I’d rather that than the players playing with no effort Okunbor was going well as a small minute interchange impact player. Maybe he deserved a shot at a starting spot, but he’s shown over and over and over again that he’s not a starter and certainly not an 80 minute backrower Preston - agreed. Dogs best by a mile. Agree about Morrin, but again more effort is better than not enough I like Edwards. I think he’s got potential as a ball playing 13. He just doesn’t have the players outside him at the moment to take advantage. Earlier in the season he was playing first receiver and allowing Burton to get the ball two wide of the ruck where he was much more effective. Dogs attack - like NSW - is just going pass, pass, pass sideways with nothing at all creative going on I have no idea why we signed Sutton, probably on overs I think you’re probably right about Topine but I feel for him. Every time he plays he ends up stuck at centre or wing filling in for injuries. Has never had a run of games on an edge. Can’t remember his last game on the edge. NSW Cup player of the year, the last two years, dopes like Okunbor get a start before him RFM - like him, but starting to lose faith. Always coming back from injury and as soon as he starts looking good, the next injury strikes
Albo
Roar Rookie
Confidence is at an all time low at Belmore, after a promising early start to the year. Injuries to Kikau and Thompson haven't helped, but that is no longer an excuse for recent terrible performances. For what it is worth, here is my assessments of the Dogs current playing team: Perham - Hopeless under the high ball. NSW Cup standard only JAC - way out of form . Should not be in the Origin team. Alamoti - going backwards after early season promise. Averillo - has played one good game this year Kiraz - Handy metre eater but gets little ball on the Dogs right side. Rajab - Young player left totally exposed to Ponga & Co yesterday Burton - not a halfback IMHO. Should be fullback or centre. King - tries hard but too small and slow for NRL prop Mahoney - good defender , overplaying his hand in attack now, due to lack of other support. TPJ - just not delivering anything like his talent demands Okunbor - ridiculous he is in an NRL pack of forwards. NSW Cup winger. Preston - the best Dogs player by a country mile. Rarely misses a tackle and a good hole runner if only he had someone passing him the ball. Morrin - plenty of energy but little effectiveness. Too small for 13. Edwards - promising but needs time Sutton - dime a dozen fringe middle forward Topine - has a go , but also too small for the forwards. RFM - been out injured for a while . Can be effective when fit.
The Barry
Roar Guru
I haven’t either jimmmy - never had the reason to - but I don’t know if I could have resisted yesterday with that meek capitulation
Emcie
Roar Guru
Either that or success is great at papering over a bad culture, but the practical effect is the same
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
I don't have a problem with fans booing their team . It's their right. Personally though I would never and could never do it. I have been to a couple of Cowboys floggings in my time and booing never entered my head.
Tony
Roar Guru
Gus Gould has been quick to comment on the disastrous goings on at both the Tigers and the Dragons, so I look forward to his thoughts on the Bulldogs.