Canterbury Bulldogs NRL 2018 season preview

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• Author: Mick Gannon
  Feb 22, 2018 04:30 AM
• AAP

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.