Bulldogs Debate Page
- Thread starter Dman2025
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We should've worried about next year next year , this year was going so well at the beginning. We were just building up into something special and yes we were going to lose a few games here and there but the team was starting to gel well after a couple of years playing together, I think now we' are at risk of missing out on the top 4 . I don't think we will but if we don't win at least one of the two games left we are going to come close to missing the top 4 .
Hoping Cirro can keep the team focused .
Hoping Cirro can keep the team focused .
Cirro probably will not make changes, but what i would do is.
9. Marhoney
13. Hayward
17. Todd/Spinks/Hopoi
Hayward moving to hooker when Mann comes on.
The criteria for 17. Is try scoring forward with fast leg speed and footwork who can play the last 25 minutes.
Marhoney and Hayward starting helps our defence at the start.
Hayward playing lock adds more to the attack than Salmon.
We don't seem to score many trys when Salmon is on the field.
The game against the Panthers was one of our better defensive performances and Hayward started at 13.
If we had an impact 17 against the Panthers and Storm we probably win.
IMO our best 5 performances this season are Storm, Manly, Panthers, Warriors and Sharks.
We were not far off beating the Storm and Panthers.
We lost against the Storm in the first 30 minutes and we lost against the Panthers in the last 15 minutes. In both cases scoring one more try would have won it for us.
Todd or Spinks on the bench could have got us that try.
If we are looking at raw ability to make linebreaks and score trys Spinks is the man. Todd has a bit more ability to create something out of nothing.
9. Marhoney
13. Hayward
17. Todd/Spinks/Hopoi
Hayward moving to hooker when Mann comes on.
The criteria for 17. Is try scoring forward with fast leg speed and footwork who can play the last 25 minutes.
Marhoney and Hayward starting helps our defence at the start.
Hayward playing lock adds more to the attack than Salmon.
We don't seem to score many trys when Salmon is on the field.
The game against the Panthers was one of our better defensive performances and Hayward started at 13.
If we had an impact 17 against the Panthers and Storm we probably win.
IMO our best 5 performances this season are Storm, Manly, Panthers, Warriors and Sharks.
We were not far off beating the Storm and Panthers.
We lost against the Storm in the first 30 minutes and we lost against the Panthers in the last 15 minutes. In both cases scoring one more try would have won it for us.
Todd or Spinks on the bench could have got us that try.
If we are looking at raw ability to make linebreaks and score trys Spinks is the man. Todd has a bit more ability to create something out of nothing.
I'm ignoring the media narrative because I think Galvin at 7 and Hayward at 9 increases our chances of winning this season.
If Marhoney is in the 17 he should be playing 9 for the first 20 minutes. Otherwise play Turpin at 13 for the first 20.
Sexton is a better defender, Galvin is a better attacker, our problem is attack.
We didn't look like a divided team against the Storm, I can see why the players got some confidence out of the game. Montoya and Toups made a big difference.
Our attack and defence wasn't good enough to match the Storm in the first 30 minutes. When Mann came on he made a big difference. IMO that highlighted how big a problem Salmon was.
Had Salmon contributed to keeping Storm scoreless, I would be happier.
IMO the post above is the only change I would consider.
Sexton and Hutch are playing well in reserve grade. Hutch even threw some nice passes for linebreaks and trys.
If we get an injury/suspension in the halves, Sexton is the likely replacement.
If Marhoney is in the 17 he should be playing 9 for the first 20 minutes. Otherwise play Turpin at 13 for the first 20.
Sexton is a better defender, Galvin is a better attacker, our problem is attack.
We didn't look like a divided team against the Storm, I can see why the players got some confidence out of the game. Montoya and Toups made a big difference.
Our attack and defence wasn't good enough to match the Storm in the first 30 minutes. When Mann came on he made a big difference. IMO that highlighted how big a problem Salmon was.
Had Salmon contributed to keeping Storm scoreless, I would be happier.
IMO the post above is the only change I would consider.
Sexton and Hutch are playing well in reserve grade. Hutch even threw some nice passes for linebreaks and trys.
If we get an injury/suspension in the halves, Sexton is the likely replacement.
IMO we need one more win to finish top 4 and getting that win is important.
If Cirro is considering team changes, now is the time to do them.
Week 1 in Canberra or Melbourne, I'm not too worried. We are a chance of winning and we get a second chance.
Limping into the semis with 4 straight losses, I am a little worried.
If Cirro is considering team changes, now is the time to do them.
Week 1 in Canberra or Melbourne, I'm not too worried. We are a chance of winning and we get a second chance.
Limping into the semis with 4 straight losses, I am a little worried.
I don’t expect Cirro to replace Galvin with Sexton.
Teams running a lot of traffic at Galvin is an issue, that doesn't seem to drain his energy, or limit his attack, but it does work Preston very hard.
We could start Hayes on the right edge and bring Preston on after 20 mins.
Or if Spinks is on the bench, bring him on for Preston or swap Preston to the left and give Kiks a rest.
Looking at reserve grade, Sexton is improving, and he looks good, but it is only reserve grade. Based on reserve grade form, Spinks should be playing for Australia.
Cirro wants to win, even more than we do and Gus is advising him. They are not going to make dumb decisions. But they might make decisions that we don't understand.
Teams running a lot of traffic at Galvin is an issue, that doesn't seem to drain his energy, or limit his attack, but it does work Preston very hard.
We could start Hayes on the right edge and bring Preston on after 20 mins.
Or if Spinks is on the bench, bring him on for Preston or swap Preston to the left and give Kiks a rest.
Looking at reserve grade, Sexton is improving, and he looks good, but it is only reserve grade. Based on reserve grade form, Spinks should be playing for Australia.
Cirro wants to win, even more than we do and Gus is advising him. They are not going to make dumb decisions. But they might make decisions that we don't understand.
With Des being sacked, O'Brien at Newcastle might be the last dud coach in the NRL.
Whoever is making the recruitment and retention decisions at the Knights also deserves a fair chunk of the blame.
I'm not 100% sold on Seibs at Manly, but I don't think that he is that bad.
Roosters/ Fins and Manly all contesting 8th spot. All could do some damage in the semis. Paseka for Manly might be back soon, they might get a few troops back.
I think that we possibly took a week to fully recover from the Manly game and that Manly have just recovered.
So a partial drag on our performance against the Tigers, but I have no idea what happened against the Chooks, and only a vague idea what happened to the Chooks against the Slimeys.
The Slimeys have copied a lot of our style, their ball movement was very effective against the Chooks. Anything we copy will slot easily into our game.
Most teams including the Tits and Newcastle have pretty good squads. I am expecting the standard to lift again next season and for the comp to be even closer.
Whoever is making the recruitment and retention decisions at the Knights also deserves a fair chunk of the blame.
I'm not 100% sold on Seibs at Manly, but I don't think that he is that bad.
Roosters/ Fins and Manly all contesting 8th spot. All could do some damage in the semis. Paseka for Manly might be back soon, they might get a few troops back.
I think that we possibly took a week to fully recover from the Manly game and that Manly have just recovered.
So a partial drag on our performance against the Tigers, but I have no idea what happened against the Chooks, and only a vague idea what happened to the Chooks against the Slimeys.
The Slimeys have copied a lot of our style, their ball movement was very effective against the Chooks. Anything we copy will slot easily into our game.
Most teams including the Tits and Newcastle have pretty good squads. I am expecting the standard to lift again next season and for the comp to be even closer.
Talk in in media that Ivan will rest players against us . Could be a ploy to get us off guard.
We definitely missed the bullet many years ago club was thinking of signing Brandon Smith. I guess his career is almost gone and getting rid of Hasler might've been the best decision ever.
We definitely missed the bullet many years ago club was thinking of signing Brandon Smith. I guess his career is almost gone and getting rid of Hasler might've been the best decision ever.
Yes an understrength Panthers beat the Warriors once this season.
We should not be taking them lightly, we need a win and this is a good chance to get it.
If we can't beat the Panthers minus some of their better players we are not contenders. And if those guys end up playing, we should be prepared for that.
If we can win, we can rest players in the final round.
If we can put a score on the Panthers, their decision might have a downside.
I think that they need to rest players and they don't have much choice.
What I would like to see against the Panthers is.
8 DSF, 9 Marhoney, 10 Hughes, 13 Turpin.
Bench Hayward, Mann, King Toups
This starting middle should get the job done against the Panthers and if the game is tougher than we expect the bench should bail us out.
Dominating in the forwards is an easier way to win a game like this.
Marhoney and Turpin should have the workrate and mobility to cover for the big boys.
Give Salmon 80 minutes at lock in reserve grade, followed by 80 mins in the second row against the Sharks.
8 DSF, 9 Marhoney, 10 Hughes, 13 Turpin.
Bench Hayward, Mann, King Toups
This starting middle should get the job done against the Panthers and if the game is tougher than we expect the bench should bail us out.
Dominating in the forwards is an easier way to win a game like this.
Marhoney and Turpin should have the workrate and mobility to cover for the big boys.
Give Salmon 80 minutes at lock in reserve grade, followed by 80 mins in the second row against the Sharks.
Assuming that we beat Penrith, team for the Sharks.
1. Taffee
2. Wilson
3. Tuala
4. Sua
5. Rinakama
6. Hutchinson
7. Sexton
8. DSF
9. Marhoney
10. Hughes
11. Morrin
12. Spinks
13. Turpin
14. Woods
15. Tia/Underhill
16. Hopoi
17. Todd
Edit: Added Moz
Give young guns Spinks, Woods and Tia/Underhill a debut,
Farewell departing players Taffee, Morrin, Wilson, Hutchinson, Sexton and Marhoney.
We need to beat the Panthers to set up the opportunity to do something like this.
I think may Dogs fans will turn up just to farewell the departing players. And to see Woods and Spinks debut.
Let the departing players lead the team on to the field and the rest of the team should give the crowd an opportunity to acknowledge them.
Turpin might be leaving, but I think that he is here for 2026.
IMO all 17 players are a outside chance of featuring in the semis for us, especially if we have injuries/ suspensions.
The Panthers game will not be easy for us.
This team represents even more danger for the Sharks.
Panthers reserve grade lapped our reserve grade recently, in spite of that, I think that the team above would beat the Panthers 17 for this week 7 out of 10 times.
1. Taffee
2. Wilson
3. Tuala
4. Sua
5. Rinakama
6. Hutchinson
7. Sexton
8. DSF
9. Marhoney
10. Hughes
11. Morrin
12. Spinks
13. Turpin
14. Woods
15. Tia/Underhill
16. Hopoi
17. Todd
Edit: Added Moz
Give young guns Spinks, Woods and Tia/Underhill a debut,
Farewell departing players Taffee, Morrin, Wilson, Hutchinson, Sexton and Marhoney.
We need to beat the Panthers to set up the opportunity to do something like this.
I think may Dogs fans will turn up just to farewell the departing players. And to see Woods and Spinks debut.
Let the departing players lead the team on to the field and the rest of the team should give the crowd an opportunity to acknowledge them.
Turpin might be leaving, but I think that he is here for 2026.
IMO all 17 players are a outside chance of featuring in the semis for us, especially if we have injuries/ suspensions.
The Panthers game will not be easy for us.
This team represents even more danger for the Sharks.
Panthers reserve grade lapped our reserve grade recently, in spite of that, I think that the team above would beat the Panthers 17 for this week 7 out of 10 times.
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Beretta
Captain
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- Oct 17, 2024
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based on our current form we didnt deserve 1st place, and now if we cant beat a reserve grade penrith team we dont deserve to win the premiership.
I agree, the reserve grade Panthers team is way better than people think it is, but they are only coming 5th in NSW cup.
It is good experience for many of their younger guys, some will feature in the NRL next season, and a few might need to play in the semis.
The stakes couldn't be higher for us, or the opportunity bigger.
A win can set up a great final round for us.
We need to demonstrate the ability to play well 2 weeks in a row and the ability to start a game well.
Some players are playing for a chance to play in the semis and perhaps even in a GF winning team this season.
If the players can't get up for this game, and they can't perform, we need new players.
Players have been playing intense games, but a few, like Marhoney, are well rested and should be able to play longer minutes.
We have guys like Sexton, Morrin, and Hopoi, who can fill in and do a job at NRL level.
There are no excuses this week.
Us being in first place earlier, is simple to explain. We were fitter than all other teams at the start of the season, other teams had injuries and/or young players learning how to play NRL.
We didn't get to play the Roosters, Panthers or Broncos when they were really struggling. Some teams lifted when they played us or got key players back from injury. Tigers and Broncos are 2 examples.
Aside from the win over the Sharks, most of our better performances have been in the last 6 weeks, with a couple of very poor performances tossed in for variety.
So far we deserve to be exactly where we are on the table, no higher or lower. But what we do for the next 6-7 weeks is what counts.
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I'm pleased to see Matty Johns agrees with my suggestion of Galvin playing lock.
Others can also see that his speed will improve with training, and that when he bulks up, he will be hard to handle.
Cronk thinks that he could play half, but we have Woods.
He could play 5/8, but we have Burton.
That is in the future. For this season I think that our chances of winning the comp are slightly higher with Galvin. But ideally, we want Galvin in attack and Sexton in defence.
It is time to move Marhoney back to starting hooker for the rest of the season. In the future, I am sure that Hayward will be a better option, but at this stage of this season starting Marhoney is best.
IMO we have been giving Hayward valuable experience for next season, but also possibly resting Marhoney to keep him fresher for the back end of the season. We have correctly identified that Marhoney makes mistakes when he is tired. Opening 20-30 minutes is ideal for him and perhaps the last 20.
Others can also see that his speed will improve with training, and that when he bulks up, he will be hard to handle.
Cronk thinks that he could play half, but we have Woods.
He could play 5/8, but we have Burton.
That is in the future. For this season I think that our chances of winning the comp are slightly higher with Galvin. But ideally, we want Galvin in attack and Sexton in defence.
It is time to move Marhoney back to starting hooker for the rest of the season. In the future, I am sure that Hayward will be a better option, but at this stage of this season starting Marhoney is best.
IMO we have been giving Hayward valuable experience for next season, but also possibly resting Marhoney to keep him fresher for the back end of the season. We have correctly identified that Marhoney makes mistakes when he is tired. Opening 20-30 minutes is ideal for him and perhaps the last 20.
Makes sense to rest players in the last round providing they do a good number on the Panthers . It has been a long season not many teams are getting byes now .
If they have a poor performance basically the team has limped into the top 4 last month or so .
Crowds at these matches are getting short changed.
That is why I suggested farewelling departing players.
Fans have a lot of sympathy and respect for Sexton, Marhoney, Morrin and Wilson.
While it hasn't worked out as they hoped, Taffee and Hutch have had a dig and been club first team players.
Storm and Panthers don't like resting too many players in the last round, but this season, I think that it is the right time for us, provided we win tonight.
I understand why the Panthers are resting players. The draw had both of our teams going into this match on a short turnaround after 2 intense games.
As Cirro mentioned, we have done a good job of managing the minutes of most players. Marhoney should be fresh and raring to go.