• Join
  • Login
  • BNA Twitter
  • BNA Facebook
  • 01:37:41 AEST
  • Saturday, 30 March 2024
  • Gamble Responsibly 18+
Bulldogs Aaron Woods

Canterbury Bulldogs NRL 2018 season preview


A new litter arrives at the kennel

Key Ins: Kieran Foran (Warriors), Aaron Woods (Wests Tigers), Clay Priest (Raiders), Moses Suli (West Tigers), Fa’amanu Brown (Sharks)

Key Outs: James Graham (Dragons), Sam Kasiano (Storm), Josh Reynolds (Wests Tigers), Brenko Lee (Titans)

 

Overview

It’s a new era at Belmore. A new coach, a new board and a new halves combination, all aimed at turning the club around after a season to forget last year. The addition of veterans Aaron Woods and Kieran Foran as well as Tongan international and rising star Moses Suli will bolster the squad. All three have the potential to influence a game, and the Bulldogs army will have high hopes that these three ‘big name’ recruits will fill the void left by their former favourite sons Josh Reynolds and James Graham.

It’s no secret that the Dogs were the NRL’s worst attacking team in 2017, scoring a slender average of 15 points per game. In a quest to reverse their scoring slump, Dean Pay replaces Des Hasler as coach, with strong expectations from Board and fans to turn the team’s fortunes around. The Dogs have replaced Reynolds, an attacking ball runner who added spice to the halves, with Kiwi international Foran - a player better known for his defensive prowess and organisational skills around the park.

With a backline that still lacks x-factor, the Dogs will be heavily reliant on NSW Origin stars Aaron Woods, David Klemmer and Josh Jackson to muscle their way to victory. These three will need to be at their best, week in and week out, if the Bulldogs are going to avoid the dreaded wooden spoon in 2018.

 

Player to watch: Moses Mbye will start the season at fullback in a move that will make or break his season. Dean Pay is hoping the switch will add some much-needed spark to the Dogs’ backline, while the ever consistent but often dull Will Hopoate, shifts into the centres. If Mbye fails to produce the goods in the first half of the season, expect the 24-year-old to lose his spot in the 17-man squad, with Hopoate to shift back to the number one jersey allowing young-gun Moses Suli to move into the centres. 

Key player: Kieran Foran comes to the Bulldogs with the aim of resurrecting his chequered and injury-plagued career following a single season with the Warriors. If the Bulldogs are to taste success in 2018, the Kiwi will need to spend less time with the physio and more time on the field, where he must recapture the form that saw him play in the most highly rated NRL halves combination s at Manly.

 

Outside backs rating: 3/10

The ageing Morris brothers ‘aint what they used to be’ and will be at least another yard slower in 2018. Hopoate has had little impact in the NRL since leaving Manly, whilst big question marks remain over Mbye cutting it in the number one jersey. Youngster Marcelo Montoya offers some hope to the Bulldogs faithful after a promising debut season last year when he was the club’s leading try scorer (12), however opposition defenders are unlikely to lose sleep at the prospect of facing up against this Dogs backline.

Forward Pack rating: 6/10

NSW Origin front-rowers David Klemmer and Aaron Woods will provide plenty of go-forward for the Dogs this year, complimented by newly appointed skipper Josh Jackson, Adam Elliot and stalwart prop, Aiden Tolman. It’s difficult to see any player outside these pushing for a starting spot as the interchange forwards offer little spark and will struggle to make an impact.  

Spine rating: 4/10      

It’s unlikely that Moses Mbye (Fullback), Kieran Foran (Five-Eighth), Matt Frawley (Halfback) and Michael Lichaa (Hooker) will be able to cure the Bulldogs’ white line fever from last season. Lichaa lacks creativity however may have more impact this season given Pay has provided him with the green-light to play a much freer role, more attuned to his natural game. The spine lacks the attacking flair which Canterbury fans have come accustomed to in previous seasons, which suggests another long year is on the cards for the Belmore brigade.
 


               

Bookies' Verdict

Our Verdict

Top 8

$4

Will need to be scoring 22+ points on average per game by round 6 to consider

Premiership

$34

$101

2018 Prediction

13th

15th

 

Share On:

Trending Racing & Sport News

Souths Cameron Murray

NRL Best Bets and Tips: Round 0

The 2024 NRL season commences in Las Vegas with an iconic double-header. This marks the league's foray into the United S.....

Feb 27, 2024 02:00PM
READ MORE right-arrow

NFL Superbowl2019

AFC Championship 2024 NFL Tips and Best Bets

Get ready for an brilliant weekend of NFL and it all kicks off with the AFC Championship match. The Baltimore Ravens and.....

Jan 24, 2024 11:00AM
READ MORE right-arrow

Los Angeles Rams

NFL Monday Night Football Tips and Best Bets 14/11/23

Buffalo Performance Review Entering Week 10, the Bills confront an unfamiliar playoff-less reality, a departure from Jos.....

Nov 14, 2023 10:00AM
READ MORE right-arrow

MLB Houston Astros Pitcher

MLB Betting Tips for NCLS Game 7 25/10/23

In the midst of an electrifying National League Championship Series, the Arizona Diamondbacks brace for a pivotal Game 7.....

Oct 24, 2023 05:00PM
READ MORE right-arrow

Sports Betting Topics


Tweets by @BettingNetworkA

More Sports & Racing news you might like

MLB Houston Astros Pitcher

MLB Betting Tips for NCLS Game 7 25/10/23

In the midst of an electrifying National League Championship Series, the Arizona Diamondbacks brace for a pivotal Game 7.....

READ MORE right-arrow

MLB Houston Astros Pitcher

MLB Tips for Game 7 NCLS 2023

In the midst of an electrifying National League Championship Series, the Arizona Diamondbacks brace for a pivotal Game 7.....

READ MORE right-arrow

New Orleans Minnesota Vikings

Free NFL Betting Preview 15/9/2021

The Philadelphia Eagles are gearing up to maintain their winning momentum in Week 2 as they take on the Minnesota Viking.....

READ MORE right-arrow

Pitsburgh Steelers Roethlisberger

Free NFL Betting Picks 25/8/2023

Preseason Football Matchup Analysis In the final preseason clash, the Pittsburgh Steelers (2-0, 2-0 ATS, 1-1 O/U) are se.....

READ MORE right-arrow

Boston RedSox Chris Sale

MLB Betting Picks: Best plays for All Star Game 2023

The 93rd edition of the Midsummer Classic will be played on Tuesday, July 11, at T-Mobile Park in Seattle, Washington. .....

READ MORE right-arrow

MLB Houston Astros Pitcher

MLB Betting Picks: Best plays for 7th June 2023

The upcoming game between the Houston Astros and the Toronto Blue Jays is set to be an exciting contest between two comp.....

READ MORE right-arrow

Copyright © 2024 S92 www.bettingnetworkaustralia.com.au

Stay in Control. For gambling help call 1800 858 858 or your local State gambling helpline, Gamblers Help, Mission Australia or visit www.gamblinghelponline.org.au. Users must be at least 18 years old.

www.bettingnetworkaustralia.com.au (the "site") is not a bookmaking or wagering website. As such the site does not provide bookmaking or wagering services. We are a tipping and information service site. If you choose to take tips or use information on this website, you acknowledge and agree that you will only wager with licensed service providers for your jurisdiction. For help call 1800 858 858 or visit www.gamblinghelponline.org.au. Our Terms and Conditions are listed here.

Feedback