Bulldogs Debate Page
- Thread starter Dman2025
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So where are we at?
The team isn't going to win the comp every year, the main aims are.
1. Make the top 8, preferably top 4. Tick.
2. Improve on the previous season. Tick
3. Strengthen the team for the following season. Tick.
To be a hope of winning the GF we definitely need our top 17 playing. That is basically the side that played the Storm and definitely includes Hayes and Kiraz.
Hayes and Kiraz are even more important in 2025, than they will be in 2026.
The only players that are marginal selections IMO are Salmon and Marhoney.
I still think that if Marhoney is in the side he should be starting at 9, and Hayward should start at 13.
Marhoney and Cirro don't seem to be on the same page, Turpin is the only possible replacement this season.
We have to admit that our attack still needs a lot of work. Part of that is Galvin arriving late, but I don't think that we would be going any better in attack with Sexton at 7.
We might need to play close to a full strength side against the Sharks to keep working on our attack.
I think that we were trying a few experiments against the young Panthers, and we got too fancy at times.
Credit where credit is due, the young Panthers really put in a shift in defence, their effort areas were great.
Are we going to get it together in time? Who knows.
We need Tracey back to his best ASAP. The last 2 games have been below his usual standard.
Salmon is similar, he was playing a lot better before he was injured.
Marhoney all depends on his attitude, and how much Cirro trusts him. The ability is there and he can be a big plus, with the right attitude and if he takes the right options.
The team isn't going to win the comp every year, the main aims are.
1. Make the top 8, preferably top 4. Tick.
2. Improve on the previous season. Tick
3. Strengthen the team for the following season. Tick.
To be a hope of winning the GF we definitely need our top 17 playing. That is basically the side that played the Storm and definitely includes Hayes and Kiraz.
Hayes and Kiraz are even more important in 2025, than they will be in 2026.
The only players that are marginal selections IMO are Salmon and Marhoney.
I still think that if Marhoney is in the side he should be starting at 9, and Hayward should start at 13.
Marhoney and Cirro don't seem to be on the same page, Turpin is the only possible replacement this season.
We have to admit that our attack still needs a lot of work. Part of that is Galvin arriving late, but I don't think that we would be going any better in attack with Sexton at 7.
We might need to play close to a full strength side against the Sharks to keep working on our attack.
I think that we were trying a few experiments against the young Panthers, and we got too fancy at times.
Credit where credit is due, the young Panthers really put in a shift in defence, their effort areas were great.
Are we going to get it together in time? Who knows.
We need Tracey back to his best ASAP. The last 2 games have been below his usual standard.
Salmon is similar, he was playing a lot better before he was injured.
Marhoney all depends on his attitude, and how much Cirro trusts him. The ability is there and he can be a big plus, with the right attitude and if he takes the right options.
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Looking at this weeks round it seems there are only two consistent teams all year. Canberra and Melbourne. The rest of the top eight sides have had an up-and-down season and now Brisbane in the top four I think it's going be a very interesting finals series .
For us Galvin definitely had an impact on the side as well as origin and injuries . Could we win it with Sexton maybe not with Galvin maybe not as well . Making the top four I think it has been an successful season Hopefully the team can at least win one game in the finals: it will give them confidence and a boost for next year..
It will be interesting if both Bulldogs and Sharks rest their players next week it'll be virtually a New South Wales cup game.
I am not sure that we will rest many players now.
Any team that finishes in the top 8 can will it.
Roosters are patchy and inconsistent, but their best attacking footy is hard to defend.
Storm / Broncos game is the most interesting game next week. Broncos winning or perhaps even putting a score on the Storm wouldn't surprise me. Storm defence can be shaky without Harry.
I don’t expect big Nelson to play another game for the Storm. He was very lazy getting back on side for multiple tackles, then backed that up by getting the ball in and offside position and conceding a penalty when his team had possession.
At this stage I prefer to play the Storm or Raiders rather than the Roosters and Broncos and the Panthers are the one team I don't want to play.
My read on the season is based on the fact that 4 results could have been different and probably should have been different.
Panthers should have beaten the Storm and Raiders. We should have beaten the Panthers and Storm.
Given that, I am not sure that the Panthers would have rested players against us.
The way things have panned out might end up being great for the Panthers and us.
Ideally, I don't want to play the Panthers again before the GF.
Week 1 of the finals against the Storm in Melbourne, I think that our team is confident and we will know what we need to do.
Kiks running at Hughes with a semi busted shoulder is a hand grenade that could explode at any time.
Any team that finishes in the top 8 can will it.
Roosters are patchy and inconsistent, but their best attacking footy is hard to defend.
Storm / Broncos game is the most interesting game next week. Broncos winning or perhaps even putting a score on the Storm wouldn't surprise me. Storm defence can be shaky without Harry.
I don’t expect big Nelson to play another game for the Storm. He was very lazy getting back on side for multiple tackles, then backed that up by getting the ball in and offside position and conceding a penalty when his team had possession.
At this stage I prefer to play the Storm or Raiders rather than the Roosters and Broncos and the Panthers are the one team I don't want to play.
My read on the season is based on the fact that 4 results could have been different and probably should have been different.
Panthers should have beaten the Storm and Raiders. We should have beaten the Panthers and Storm.
Given that, I am not sure that the Panthers would have rested players against us.
The way things have panned out might end up being great for the Panthers and us.
Ideally, I don't want to play the Panthers again before the GF.
Week 1 of the finals against the Storm in Melbourne, I think that our team is confident and we will know what we need to do.
Kiks running at Hughes with a semi busted shoulder is a hand grenade that could explode at any time.
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Reserve grade had a great win 46-10.
The last 3 conversions were nailed by Morrin, Wilson and DSF.
Tuala 2 trys, Sua 2 trys, Wilson and Rinakama trys.
Cirro has a few good options to replace Kiraz.
I now think that we might simply have a parade of departing players who are not in the team at half-time.
Reserve grade played like guys wanting a shot at NRL.
The last 3 conversions were nailed by Morrin, Wilson and DSF.
Tuala 2 trys, Sua 2 trys, Wilson and Rinakama trys.
Cirro has a few good options to replace Kiraz.
I now think that we might simply have a parade of departing players who are not in the team at half-time.
Reserve grade played like guys wanting a shot at NRL.
Joey O'Neill started at lock in reserve grade.
I can see him being used as a 14 to cover 6/7/9/13 off the bench next season.
I also expect Woods to play NRL next season.
We are preparing well for 2026 and also aiming to finish the job in 2025.
With the reserve grade/flegg season being over, any players with medical issues should get sorted. I expect the bulk of the rest of the players to train with and against the NRL side for the remainder of the NRL season.
We will have guys ready to step into the NRL side if needed in 2025 and more ready to play NRL in 2026.
I can see him being used as a 14 to cover 6/7/9/13 off the bench next season.
I also expect Woods to play NRL next season.
We are preparing well for 2026 and also aiming to finish the job in 2025.
With the reserve grade/flegg season being over, any players with medical issues should get sorted. I expect the bulk of the rest of the players to train with and against the NRL side for the remainder of the NRL season.
We will have guys ready to step into the NRL side if needed in 2025 and more ready to play NRL in 2026.
Sua and Reardon had great games in reserve grade.
Sua's class is starting to stand out, he seems to be too good for reserve grade.
Panthers rate the game against us as the most intense they have played this season.
What we need is.
We can practise intensity, kick chase, kicking and discipline.
I think that we can get all of that together in time. Being one of the teams not expected to win is great.
Sua's class is starting to stand out, he seems to be too good for reserve grade.
Panthers rate the game against us as the most intense they have played this season.
What we need is.
- The same intensity in defence and kick chase.
- A better kicking game.
- Better discipline fewer penalties.
- More variety and execution in attack.
We can practise intensity, kick chase, kicking and discipline.
I think that we can get all of that together in time. Being one of the teams not expected to win is great.
I don’t understand why so called experts are writing off the Panthers, Dogs, Roosters and Broncos.
This semi final series will be a 6-8 horse rate, with 6 contenders being the most likely number.
Biggest issue for the Dogs is the injuries to Kiraz and Hayes, 2 of our more important players.
I would probably play Sua in the centres and shift Xerri to the wing against the Sharks as an experiment. Sua is probably the guy at the club who scores the most spectacular long range trys basically due to a combination of footwork and speed beating defenders.
This semi final series will be a 6-8 horse rate, with 6 contenders being the most likely number.
Biggest issue for the Dogs is the injuries to Kiraz and Hayes, 2 of our more important players.
I would probably play Sua in the centres and shift Xerri to the wing against the Sharks as an experiment. Sua is probably the guy at the club who scores the most spectacular long range trys basically due to a combination of footwork and speed beating defenders.
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with the team lists due out this afternoon, i am expecting us to field a weaker team to rest some players.
I think that we will only rest the players that need a rest or who are carrying injuries.
The only other reason to rest players is to give players who may improve the side during the semis a run. The names that spring to mind are for me are Turpin, Sua and Todd.
Players who I think might need a rest are Critter, Tracey and King. Hayward and Mann can just play fewer minutes.
Turpin giving Hayward or Mann a rest. Todd giving King at rest. Kiks having another week off or limited minutes.
Sua/Tuala/Rinakama/Wilson/Taffee replacing Critter, Tracey and Kiraz.
The side that he names will give us a clue.
We still need to work on combinations in attack and defence. But I think one or two middle forwards and the fullback can be rested with minor impacts.
Even if Critter isn't 100% we might not rest him, he probably isn't 100% most weeks and we need to work on combinations.
Rinakama might come in for Tuala.
Morrin, DSF or Turpin might come in for someone.
I am now expecting the same 17 to be named on Friday, but the other 2 guys named in the 19 are a chance.
Spine changes would surprise me.
The good news is most of the team must be right to play.
If Marhoney is going start in the semis, i reckon that he will start on Saturday we probably will not find out until just before the game.
I still think that Turpin is a chance to play in the semis and if he is going to play he also plays against the Sharks.
Aside from Hayes or Kiraz possibly coming back in, the 17 against the Sharks will probably be the team against the Storm in week 1,
Morrin, DSF or Turpin might come in for someone.
I am now expecting the same 17 to be named on Friday, but the other 2 guys named in the 19 are a chance.
Spine changes would surprise me.
The good news is most of the team must be right to play.
If Marhoney is going start in the semis, i reckon that he will start on Saturday we probably will not find out until just before the game.
I still think that Turpin is a chance to play in the semis and if he is going to play he also plays against the Sharks.
Aside from Hayes or Kiraz possibly coming back in, the 17 against the Sharks will probably be the team against the Storm in week 1,
Fans are entitled to pick their 17 each week, we are not allowed to insist that Cirro picks our 17.
When the team loses it isn't always because the coach didn't pick the best 17.
Some of our fans are "drama queens" who are great winners and poor losers, most footy fans are like that. And I lapse into that mode after many losses myself.
The latest "nut job" theory is that Hayward starting at hooker means that the club has given up on this season. Nothing could be further from the truth.
I think that there is some chance that Marhoney isn't in the 17 for any of the semis. I am expecting drama from some of our fans if and when we lose games.
But I expect Cirro to do what he always does, pick what he thinks is the best 17.
It is becoming increasingly obvious to me that coaches and fans watch the same game and see completely different things. Mostly because the coaches are looking at the things they think will make a difference.
When the team loses it isn't always because the coach didn't pick the best 17.
Some of our fans are "drama queens" who are great winners and poor losers, most footy fans are like that. And I lapse into that mode after many losses myself.
The latest "nut job" theory is that Hayward starting at hooker means that the club has given up on this season. Nothing could be further from the truth.
I think that there is some chance that Marhoney isn't in the 17 for any of the semis. I am expecting drama from some of our fans if and when we lose games.
But I expect Cirro to do what he always does, pick what he thinks is the best 17.
It is becoming increasingly obvious to me that coaches and fans watch the same game and see completely different things. Mostly because the coaches are looking at the things they think will make a difference.
For the record, I think that the thinking of the vast majority of players in the squad closely aligns with the thinking of the coach.
When fans and the coach think different things, players are more likely to agree with the coach.
A lot of the fans opinions are informed by opinions in the media, including things some ex-players say. Casting doubt on Gus, Cirro and the club and creating angst amongst or fan base is what those media pundits do.
First game against the Sharks we won via islands of good execution in a grinding intense game. Our team has the individuals to ice the rare attacking opportunities, and we have the fitness to grind.
Any team, any game, with the same play the ball speed for both teams, we probably win. Fast or slow doesn't matter. But too fast against a bigger team with more speed and skill might be bad for us.
Semis more likely to be slower PTB than regular club games, not faster. More ball in play and longer grinds with fewer interruptions is the game all fans want to see.
What we did last time, should work for the Sharks this time.
If the refs don't give us a fair go, that isn't something we can fix with team selection. Unless that selection is leaving out Marhoney. Refs will be looking for opportunities to penalise him, they expect him to be undisciplined. Not fair, but that may be how it is.
When fans and the coach think different things, players are more likely to agree with the coach.
A lot of the fans opinions are informed by opinions in the media, including things some ex-players say. Casting doubt on Gus, Cirro and the club and creating angst amongst or fan base is what those media pundits do.
First game against the Sharks we won via islands of good execution in a grinding intense game. Our team has the individuals to ice the rare attacking opportunities, and we have the fitness to grind.
Any team, any game, with the same play the ball speed for both teams, we probably win. Fast or slow doesn't matter. But too fast against a bigger team with more speed and skill might be bad for us.
Semis more likely to be slower PTB than regular club games, not faster. More ball in play and longer grinds with fewer interruptions is the game all fans want to see.
What we did last time, should work for the Sharks this time.
If the refs don't give us a fair go, that isn't something we can fix with team selection. Unless that selection is leaving out Marhoney. Refs will be looking for opportunities to penalise him, they expect him to be undisciplined. Not fair, but that may be how it is.
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If we are locking Critter down long term that is good business.
Mostly I am very happy with how Gus does recruitment and retention.
Gus and Cirro are brutal but fair. There is not much room for sentiment, but leaders are worth investing in,.
Listening to Ogre on the podcast with Gus, lower grades are stacked with talent. We are going to have to let some talented players go at some stage, both up and coming young guys with plenty of talent or experienced loyal servants.
There is no money to pay everyone under the cap unless Dman comes to the party with generous TPAs...
Mostly I am very happy with how Gus does recruitment and retention.
Gus and Cirro are brutal but fair. There is not much room for sentiment, but leaders are worth investing in,.
Listening to Ogre on the podcast with Gus, lower grades are stacked with talent. We are going to have to let some talented players go at some stage, both up and coming young guys with plenty of talent or experienced loyal servants.
There is no money to pay everyone under the cap unless Dman comes to the party with generous TPAs...
Storm loss to the Broncos was mainly due to the Broncos being good and defending well.
When the opposition defends well the Storm attack can get clunky and they can make errors.
The game against the Sharks has to be a good preparation for the Storm game.
A week 1 win in Melbourne is by far our best chance of going deep into the finals.
The second chance is also a reasonable shot at at least winning a semi.
When the opposition defends well the Storm attack can get clunky and they can make errors.
The game against the Sharks has to be a good preparation for the Storm game.
A week 1 win in Melbourne is by far our best chance of going deep into the finals.
The second chance is also a reasonable shot at at least winning a semi.
Storm looking wobbly last two games are we playing them the
right time or will they fire up next week .?
Grant will be back but no Hughes. Grant is their main danger and we need to find a way to contain him . They will use all tactics including dirty ones to win . Sıtili and Kikau will be our weapons ..
I get the feeling if we beat the Storm we make the GF. And are highly likely to win it. All teams are playing terrible footy so the title is up for grabs.