Another season, one other write-off for the Bulldogs.
There was quite a lot of expectation coming into 2023. Not to win a premiership, however to problem for the highest eight.
The Bulldogs had landed probably the most sought-after up-and-coming coach within the recreation in Cameron Ciraldo, whereas 2022 grand finalist Reed Mahoney and two-time premiership-winner Viliame Kikau headlined the brand new recruits.
Jake Averillo was shifted to the centres to make room for Hayze Perham, who was a shock standout at fullback within the pre-season.
Kyle Flanagan was feeling extra settled and assured as a No.7 than ever, a trimmed-down Tevita Pangai Junior made guarantees to the membership about his health and Josh Reynolds was residence.
It had the makings to be a great 12 months.
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But when does rugby league ever go to script?
Kikau ruptured his pectoral a month in, Flanagan was dropped after which reworked right into a hooker, Averillo went again to fullback — after which again to centre — Reynolds spent extra time in NSW Cup than NRL earlier than retiring and Pangai Junior shocked everybody when he traded boots for boxing gloves.
The Bulldogs went via 36 gamers this season — probably the most of any crew. Injuries in fact performed an element in that however whether or not it was a 12 months of ‘opportunity’ — because the membership sees it — or just 27 rounds of trial and error chaos is up for debate.
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2023 RECORD: 7 wins, 17 losses (fifteenth)
GRADE: D
What went proper:Jacob Preston. He turned up for day one among pre-season as a little-known 21-year-old that was simply searching for a possibility after signing his first Top 30 deal. 10 months later he cleaned up on the Bulldogs’ awards evening, claiming the membership’s Rookie of the Year, Members’ Player of the Year and the distinguished Dr. George Peponis Player of the Year honour. Preston was noticed final 12 months whereas taking part in Jersey Flegg for the Roosters. The Bulldogs saved an in depth eye on him and after only a handful of video games in New South Wales Cup with the North Sydney Bears, they pounced, signing him on a two-year deal. In April, with simply seven NRL video games below his belt — and ‘Prestonmania’ sweeping via the fanbase — the Bulldogs locked him in on a three-year extension. General Manager of Football Phil Gould stated on the time that Preston is thought to be a future chief of the membership — and he reiterated that on the awards evening on Tuesday. Preston completed the season with six tries and 10 linebreaks in 20 video games. He averaged 35 tackles a recreation — the second highest of the crew — and completed seventh within the competitors for one-on-one tackles. And his effort areas had been second to none. The well mannered and extremely humble Preston confirmed maturity past his years as he thanked all the correct folks — from the teaching employees to his household — throughout his acceptance speech on Tuesday evening earlier than wishing departing gamers “all the best in your future endeavours.” He admitted that he was “so nervous” on his first day of pre-season as a result of nobody knew who he was. Now he’s a family title — and has the makings of a Bulldogs legend.
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What went unsuitable: Just about the whole lot else. Between the on-field outcomes and the off-field rumours it’s onerous to choose a place to begin. But we’ll start with the outcomes as a result of in any case they often dictate how a lot exterior noise there’s. There had been promising indicators within the pre-season trials and a Round 2 upset over the Storm excited the Dogs’ passionate followers. By April the Bulldogs sat eighth with three wins from 5 rounds. Josh Reynolds was again within the NRL and a Matt Burton field-goal sealed an exhilarating win over the Cowboys. The season was monitoring effectively. Then got here a 50-16 thumping by the Rabbitohs, adopted by a 30-4 loss to the Eels. The defensive system Ciraldo introduced with him from Penrith was beginning to crumble however nobody might have predicted what was going to occur in Round 18. A 66-nil complete embarrassment from the Knights. Fans booed the gamers off when it was 30-nil at half time and those who hadn’t already left booed them off once more at full time. Ciraldo was requested within the post-game press convention if it was rock-bottom and he stated: “I don’t know about rock-bottom. It’s an embarrassing moment, it’s a disappointing moment.” He advised although that it was a character-building alternative. Granted, the crew responded with a slim win over an undermanned Rabbitohs facet seven days later and a spirited first-half in opposition to the Broncos the subsequent week. But the stats paint a grim image. The Bulldogs conceded on common 5.5 tries and 32 factors a recreation — probably the most within the competitors. They completed the season with 769 factors conceded — simply 13 factors off the membership report set in 2008. It was additionally the seventh straight season the Dogs have failed to achieve the finals, which is their longest streak since 1948-1959. The outcomes opened the membership proper as much as criticism, however issues actually exploded when it was alleged a coaching punishment drove a participant to request time without work for psychological well being causes. There’s been lawsuit allegations, conflicting experiences and quite a lot of forwards and backwards within the media. The reality doubtless sits someplace in the course of all of that, however regardless, the one phrase that may sum up how the saga has unfolded is ugly.
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What they want: For so lengthy the dialog has been a few halfback. But take one have a look at the 2024 roster and there’s one evident situation — a critical lack of massive, highly effective our bodies. With Tevita Pangai Junior retiring and Luke Thompson’s future very a lot up within the air, the pack is trying slim. That’s not bearing in mind both the truth that Ray Faitala-Mariner has been instructed he can look elsewhere and experiences that Franklin Pele is on the outer too. There’s been rumours suggesting Siua Taukeiaho and Poasa Faamausili are headed to Belmore however neither have been confirmed. 31-year-old Taukeiaho is coming off an injury-riddled season with Catalans within the Super League, whereas Faamausili solely gout 4 NRL video games with the Dolphins this 12 months. Outside of Pele, who has been linked to the Super League, and Faitala-Mariner, the one props contracted for subsequent season are Liam Knight, Max King and Ryan Sutton. While all of them aren’t afraid to roll the sleeves, they’re not precisely the kind of participant that may strike concern into their opponents.
Coming: Stephen Crichton (Panthers), Bronson Xerri (return from ban), Blake Taaffe (Rabbitohs), Jaeman Salmon (Panthers).
Going: Jake Averillo (Dolphins), Jayden Okunbor (Super League), Tevita Pangai Junior (retirement)
Off-contract: Braidon Burns, Corey Waddell, Declan Casey, Kyle Flanagan, Luke Thompson, Paul Alamoti, Sam Hughes
Source web site: www.foxsports.com.au
