Bulldogs Debate Page
- Thread starter Dman2025
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Do i think we underachieved this year?
Yes, and I think Cirro and the players would agree.
We had the talent, but were short if depth in key positions with injuries.
Cirro had too choose between playing an injured player and a young guy who wasn't ready.
What we needed was a few more options including some solid NRL standard players who could just do a job for a few weeks,
Cirro is far too likely to play injured / ill players and his expectations are not always realistic. He got burned badly a few times this year and hopefully has learned a lesson.
Playera also deserve a slice of the blame, regardless of whether they were injured, ill, or just lacking confidence, the players underperformed at times.
Cirro and the players were also too confident and lacked urgency.
We left it far too late to shift Burto to the centres, and were too alow to adapt to the new rules.
Refs and luck also cost us a few wins, but the factors under our control cost us more.
We still have the right coach, and a lot of the right players. They know what they need to do to answer their critics.
Next time Cirro has to pick between a young player and an injured player, he needs to pick the young guy, especially at the start of the season.
Yes, and I think Cirro and the players would agree.
We had the talent, but were short if depth in key positions with injuries.
Cirro had too choose between playing an injured player and a young guy who wasn't ready.
What we needed was a few more options including some solid NRL standard players who could just do a job for a few weeks,
Cirro is far too likely to play injured / ill players and his expectations are not always realistic. He got burned badly a few times this year and hopefully has learned a lesson.
Playera also deserve a slice of the blame, regardless of whether they were injured, ill, or just lacking confidence, the players underperformed at times.
Cirro and the players were also too confident and lacked urgency.
We left it far too late to shift Burto to the centres, and were too alow to adapt to the new rules.
Refs and luck also cost us a few wins, but the factors under our control cost us more.
We still have the right coach, and a lot of the right players. They know what they need to do to answer their critics.
Next time Cirro has to pick between a young player and an injured player, he needs to pick the young guy, especially at the start of the season.
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Curran, Hopoi, DSF and Baker have left Mann is almost certainly leaving.
If any more middle forwards go, we need replacements, and I think we need to keep Konz.
I hope Hughes and Todd stay, if Hughes leaves, we need an experienced middle forward with size.
Zyron may also leave.
We were short of fullbacks, wingers, centres and hookers this year, but I don't want to be short of middle forwards next year.
Montoya also retired, Xerri is gone, so far, 6-8 have left, and we have signed 3.
If we can get them, AJ Brimson or Tyrell Sloan will be good players to sign. We only need one, and Brimson covers more positions.
If Sua stays we probably don't need Sloan, but if we did sign Sloan, I think we can fix his game and he could be very good at the Dogs.
If any more middle forwards go, we need replacements, and I think we need to keep Konz.
I hope Hughes and Todd stay, if Hughes leaves, we need an experienced middle forward with size.
Zyron may also leave.
We were short of fullbacks, wingers, centres and hookers this year, but I don't want to be short of middle forwards next year.
Montoya also retired, Xerri is gone, so far, 6-8 have left, and we have signed 3.
If we can get them, AJ Brimson or Tyrell Sloan will be good players to sign. We only need one, and Brimson covers more positions.
If Sua stays we probably don't need Sloan, but if we did sign Sloan, I think we can fix his game and he could be very good at the Dogs.
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Kade Dykes scored 3 trys in reserve grade but also dropped 2 balls at critical times.
But he has done well to come back from a long stint out injured and play a lot of games in reserve grade.
The word that probably sums him up this season is "rusty" and his defence needs a lot of work.
But his ceiling is high, he could still be an elite NRL fullback or 5/8.
If his attitude is right, I would also keep him and perhaps we don't need Brimson or we might not be able to afford Brimson.
A full preseason and more coaching, will definately help Dykes.
If Dykes is hungry for an opportunity, then keep him.
But he has done well to come back from a long stint out injured and play a lot of games in reserve grade.
The word that probably sums him up this season is "rusty" and his defence needs a lot of work.
But his ceiling is high, he could still be an elite NRL fullback or 5/8.
If his attitude is right, I would also keep him and perhaps we don't need Brimson or we might not be able to afford Brimson.
A full preseason and more coaching, will definately help Dykes.
If Dykes is hungry for an opportunity, then keep him.
We should've done better this year. I think the injuries and as you said positional selection if we had made the semis we would've probably done really well considering Sharks and Cowboys are going in there playing crap at the moment.
All top four sides from last year are not playing in the semis. I can't recall this ever happening before.
Next year, we're gonging ti
have to just win a lot of games at the beginning and just not try to catch our tails towards the end of the season.
All top four sides from last year are not playing in the semis. I can't recall this ever happening before.
Next year, we're gonging ti
have to just win a lot of games at the beginning and just not try to catch our tails towards the end of the season.
Fans might be wondering why Cirro brought Toy on for the Burto HIA.
IMO Kiraz 80% Tuala 70% in his brief cameo Toy looked good.
I did wonder before the game if Toy would play instead of Tuala or Xerri.
If Cirro had picked Toy to debut in a key game and he dropped a couple of balls, he would have been crucified by the media and some of our fans.
Toy played reserve grade rounds 1-6 and then was probably injured Nassar played round 14 in reserve grade, but i am not sure if he played any other games in any other grade.
Both of these guys are fast one or both of them has also played halfback and fullback. Perhaps Nassar has played halfback and Toy has played fullback.
They are not tall wingers but would have been better than what we had at times this season.
This isn't an excuse, all teams cop injuries, this time of year you need to win with what you have.
Hayward is another impressive lower grade winger, I am not sure that we need to buy anyone else.
If Hughes or Todd leaves i would like to sign 1-2 impact props off the bench who can do a similar job to Stilli. Aside from fully fit wingers that was the other thing we were missing.
Depth is important and some of our depth was out injured when we needed it.
IMO Kiraz 80% Tuala 70% in his brief cameo Toy looked good.
I did wonder before the game if Toy would play instead of Tuala or Xerri.
If Cirro had picked Toy to debut in a key game and he dropped a couple of balls, he would have been crucified by the media and some of our fans.
Toy played reserve grade rounds 1-6 and then was probably injured Nassar played round 14 in reserve grade, but i am not sure if he played any other games in any other grade.
Both of these guys are fast one or both of them has also played halfback and fullback. Perhaps Nassar has played halfback and Toy has played fullback.
They are not tall wingers but would have been better than what we had at times this season.
This isn't an excuse, all teams cop injuries, this time of year you need to win with what you have.
Hayward is another impressive lower grade winger, I am not sure that we need to buy anyone else.
If Hughes or Todd leaves i would like to sign 1-2 impact props off the bench who can do a similar job to Stilli. Aside from fully fit wingers that was the other thing we were missing.
Depth is important and some of our depth was out injured when we needed it.
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The season simply didn't pan out as we expected.
We got things wrong in squad depth, Cirro and the players made a few mistakes, and we had a bit of bad luck.
Missing the 8 this season was a valuable lesson for the coach and players.
We got less wrong in the last 12 weeks, but could not make up for earlier errors.
I still think that the squad and the overall depth at the club has progressed.
Flegg is the only grade to make the semis and that is where many of our more talented players are.
Some flegg players have played some reserve grade, many more flegg eligible players are playing RMC.
Based purely on age, we have 30-40 quaility players who qualify for Flegg.
Flegg is the only grade to make the semis and that is where many of our more talented players are.
Some flegg players have played some reserve grade, many more flegg eligible players are playing RMC.
Based purely on age, we have 30-40 quaility players who qualify for Flegg.
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Experinced depth is also important inspite of signing Lussick, i would still offer Turpin train and trial and mostly play him in RMC.
We will then have 6-7 guys who could play some hooker in the NRL in 2027 and that is sometimes what it takes.
Even if we only need Turpin for 2x15 mins in the NRL in 2027, that 30 mins might be important.
Mann is still good enough to get an NRL contract elsewhere, Hayward wlll play more lock in 2027, Turpin is a option and we may also have 6-7 guys who can play lock, especially if we resign Konz.
When we won 17 in a row in 2002, we didn't have a lot of experienced star players. We had a lot of young locally developed star players in the NRL and a lot of average experienced NRL players in reserve grade.
Depth is always important, but we also need a pathway for young talent.
We will then have 6-7 guys who could play some hooker in the NRL in 2027 and that is sometimes what it takes.
Even if we only need Turpin for 2x15 mins in the NRL in 2027, that 30 mins might be important.
Mann is still good enough to get an NRL contract elsewhere, Hayward wlll play more lock in 2027, Turpin is a option and we may also have 6-7 guys who can play lock, especially if we resign Konz.
When we won 17 in a row in 2002, we didn't have a lot of experienced star players. We had a lot of young locally developed star players in the NRL and a lot of average experienced NRL players in reserve grade.
Depth is always important, but we also need a pathway for young talent.
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It is much easier for the coach to pick the NRL team when there are 2-3 players fighting for every position.
If a guy is out of form, injured or just needs a rest, someone else can do the job.
Critter at 5/8 was managing injury issues with Critter and Burto and to free up Burto to play centre.
If we had another good option to play 5/8 against the Panthers, Burto would have played left centre and Critter would have played right. Critter seemed to be over his injury issues.
5/8 is another position where we need more options in 2027.
Galvin and Woods can both play left and right, Conti can play right.
Galvin would combine well with Conti or Woods in the halves when Woods and Conti are ready for NRL.
Woods and Conti would also combine well and Galvin would maka a good lock.
Teapua is a to class left sided half, we have lots of good options in the lower grades, but they need to be ready for NRL.
Hayward can play hooker, lock or in the halves.
If a guy is out of form, injured or just needs a rest, someone else can do the job.
Critter at 5/8 was managing injury issues with Critter and Burto and to free up Burto to play centre.
If we had another good option to play 5/8 against the Panthers, Burto would have played left centre and Critter would have played right. Critter seemed to be over his injury issues.
5/8 is another position where we need more options in 2027.
Galvin and Woods can both play left and right, Conti can play right.
Galvin would combine well with Conti or Woods in the halves when Woods and Conti are ready for NRL.
Woods and Conti would also combine well and Galvin would maka a good lock.
Teapua is a to class left sided half, we have lots of good options in the lower grades, but they need to be ready for NRL.
Hayward can play hooker, lock or in the halves.
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The only spine players I think that we would sign, if they are affordable, are Volkman and Brimson.
But I would expect Perth to throw lot of cash at both guys, clubs like Dragons, Tigers, Storm and Cows might also be interested.
We have made 3 signings, and we might sign 1-2 more. Extending Burto will be a higher priority.
But I would expect Perth to throw lot of cash at both guys, clubs like Dragons, Tigers, Storm and Cows might also be interested.
We have made 3 signings, and we might sign 1-2 more. Extending Burto will be a higher priority.
I know the media narrative is that we lost games becuase of the halfback and hooker.
IMO Galvin and Hayward did a good job all year, and improved a lot.
Early in the season defensive lapses on the wing were the biggest problem.
Kick defusal was a big problem all year and the the last game against the Panthers was fairly good.
We struggled with the pace of the game early in the season, a lack of speed on the wings and at fullback was a factor.
Once Thompson joined the team the combination of King/Hughes and Thompson was good, but we struggled in the middle when our starting props went off.
Hughes/Underhill are suited to big guy role.
Sitilli/AJ are suited to the hard running role.
Hayes and probably Todd are suited to the more mobile role.
IMO all 3 middle forward roles off the bench are important and a 14 covering hooker/lock is equally important.
Hayward is a ideal 14.
The big guy role off the bench is important and we definate need one more guy for that role, one more guy for the hard running / hard hitting role will also help.
The type of forwards we need shouldn't break the bank, Thompson, King and Sitilli are our eilite props, Hayes is solid, Underhill and AJ are promising developing players, we just need 3 more NRL level middles. IMO Hughes and Todd are good enough, we need 1 more guy, preferably a big guy.
And we can't play Sitilli in 2 positions, so Readon,Todd, Salmon and Spinks need to step up as replacement second rowers.
IMO Galvin and Hayward did a good job all year, and improved a lot.
Early in the season defensive lapses on the wing were the biggest problem.
Kick defusal was a big problem all year and the the last game against the Panthers was fairly good.
We struggled with the pace of the game early in the season, a lack of speed on the wings and at fullback was a factor.
Once Thompson joined the team the combination of King/Hughes and Thompson was good, but we struggled in the middle when our starting props went off.
Hughes/Underhill are suited to big guy role.
Sitilli/AJ are suited to the hard running role.
Hayes and probably Todd are suited to the more mobile role.
IMO all 3 middle forward roles off the bench are important and a 14 covering hooker/lock is equally important.
Hayward is a ideal 14.
The big guy role off the bench is important and we definate need one more guy for that role, one more guy for the hard running / hard hitting role will also help.
The type of forwards we need shouldn't break the bank, Thompson, King and Sitilli are our eilite props, Hayes is solid, Underhill and AJ are promising developing players, we just need 3 more NRL level middles. IMO Hughes and Todd are good enough, we need 1 more guy, preferably a big guy.
And we can't play Sitilli in 2 positions, so Readon,Todd, Salmon and Spinks need to step up as replacement second rowers.
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The Galvin Sexton Mahoney thing will never go until we win a comp or few semi finals . Galvin came in last year when the side was coasting well . We went out the back door in last year finals . Not blaming entirely on him but fingers needed to be pointed and unfortunately for him he was targeted. He had a full season this year and failed to make the semiş. The experiment seem to fail according to outside noise .
It will be an interesting off season for the club.
It will be an interesting off season for the club.
We are building.
Galvin after 30 games is a much better player than Cleary, Cronk and Thurston after 30 games. That doesn't mean halfback is his best position.
Hayward after 1 full season of NRL is a better player than Ennis at a similar stage of his career. Thst doesn't mean starting hooker is his best position.
We have 4 good fullbacks in the lower grades, we have signed 2 more, including Volatano who will go to the head of the queue. Dykes and Cocherane seem like good fullbacks to me, but no good enough for NRL this year. I don't think that we need 6 lower grade fullbacks.
Can we fit Tracey, Volatano, Dykes and Cocherane into a 30 man NRL squad, + development + train and trail? If we keep all 4, the other 3 being better than Tracey in attack would be no surprise. Defence is the area where Trackey might have the edge.
Apparently, we have met twice with Volkman at Parra, he is most likely to stay at Parra and many other clubs want him. A good player can walk into starting 5/8 or fullback at the Dogs and everone knows that.
Good players know that even without them the Dogs are not far away from being contenders. Joining a strong club and winning a comp is a big carrot. That carrot is worth a few salary cap dollars.
The injury to Woods and moving Burto to centre are why we would be talking to guys like a Volkman.
We will answer our critics.
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All champion players who win big games are mentally tough and plysically tough.
Galvin and Hayward didn't crumble against the Panthers, Tracey didn't crumble, most fullbacks were 50/50 at best under that ball.
We need a better fullback, but mental strength isn't a big issue.
Marhoney and Sexton were mentally soft. Marhoney is a dumb player, who does a lot of dumb things, and makes a lot of errors.
If it is fair to put the boot into Galvin and Hayward, it is equally fair to put the boot into Marhoney and Sexton. Especially Marhoney, I was glad to see the back of him, he should have stayed and played out his contract, he was contracted for 2026.
My one real criticism of Sexton is he fades into the background, some games you barely knew he was on the fiield. In every game, in every set, Galvin is getting involved. Sexton and Galvin might gave worked, Sexton is a great guy, he is just an average footballer. And the club made him into a better footballer.
We could have kept Sexton and Galvin in the halves and moved Burto to centre early, at the time they expected Woods to play. But for the same money, Sexton is better than SOS.
Yes, Marhoney leaving was something that cost us a couple of wins this year, but we will be far better off in the long run.
What the critics of Galvin and Hayward have succeded in doing is, making them even stronger. I'm 100% confident both will always stand up in big games.
Compared to Tracey, Galvin and Hayward are very good defenders for young guys playing in their positions. Galvin and Hayward already spark a lot of our attack. Both guys are improving very fast, way faster than most young players, i don't know who to compare them to in that regard.
What part of mentally and physically tough, high workrate, fit, low error rate, creative, young, and rapidly improving don't our fans like?
In truth, fans look no further than the NRL table, and the game result, and what the media tells them to think.
Galvin and Hayward didn't crumble against the Panthers, Tracey didn't crumble, most fullbacks were 50/50 at best under that ball.
We need a better fullback, but mental strength isn't a big issue.
Marhoney and Sexton were mentally soft. Marhoney is a dumb player, who does a lot of dumb things, and makes a lot of errors.
If it is fair to put the boot into Galvin and Hayward, it is equally fair to put the boot into Marhoney and Sexton. Especially Marhoney, I was glad to see the back of him, he should have stayed and played out his contract, he was contracted for 2026.
My one real criticism of Sexton is he fades into the background, some games you barely knew he was on the fiield. In every game, in every set, Galvin is getting involved. Sexton and Galvin might gave worked, Sexton is a great guy, he is just an average footballer. And the club made him into a better footballer.
We could have kept Sexton and Galvin in the halves and moved Burto to centre early, at the time they expected Woods to play. But for the same money, Sexton is better than SOS.
Yes, Marhoney leaving was something that cost us a couple of wins this year, but we will be far better off in the long run.
What the critics of Galvin and Hayward have succeded in doing is, making them even stronger. I'm 100% confident both will always stand up in big games.
Compared to Tracey, Galvin and Hayward are very good defenders for young guys playing in their positions. Galvin and Hayward already spark a lot of our attack. Both guys are improving very fast, way faster than most young players, i don't know who to compare them to in that regard.
What part of mentally and physically tough, high workrate, fit, low error rate, creative, young, and rapidly improving don't our fans like?
In truth, fans look no further than the NRL table, and the game result, and what the media tells them to think.
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One gane to go, then it is going to be a long offseason, so best to enjoy it.
I hope that it is an entertaining game, the players enjoy it, and have some fun.
We picked a close to full strength side, so all players in the 23 who are staying at the club should be ok for the preseason,
That should mean that the majority of our 2027 squad do a full preseason.
I hope that it is an entertaining game, the players enjoy it, and have some fun.
We picked a close to full strength side, so all players in the 23 who are staying at the club should be ok for the preseason,
That should mean that the majority of our 2027 squad do a full preseason.
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I am much more interested in recruitment and renention this year. We have a few fringe players, who I mostly hope are staying
Hughes, Todd, Sua, Dykes, Cocherane, Turpin, Konz, Young.
And I also think 1-2 more signings might make a big difference to 2027.
A guy who can do a solid job at 5/8 from round 1, and a good big bench prop with experience,
If Hughes, Todd or Sua are leaving, we need good replacements.
I don't want be be sitting here this time next season thinking if only we had a bit more depth in a few positions 2027 might have been different.
And I don't want to see injured players playing in rounds 1-10.
Hughes, Todd, Sua, Dykes, Cocherane, Turpin, Konz, Young.
And I also think 1-2 more signings might make a big difference to 2027.
A guy who can do a solid job at 5/8 from round 1, and a good big bench prop with experience,
If Hughes, Todd or Sua are leaving, we need good replacements.
I don't want be be sitting here this time next season thinking if only we had a bit more depth in a few positions 2027 might have been different.
And I don't want to see injured players playing in rounds 1-10.
n bad form , South's got lucky easy draws as well a Cows.