Beretta
Captain
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any truth to Ponga coming our way?
Bulldogs Debate Page
- Thread starter Dman2025
- Start date
any truth to Ponga coming our way?
I think probably not and I am not sure that he would be value for money for us.
Dykes is joining the club he was expected to be the star fullback at the Sharks. He has had a lot of injury issues, but if we csn get his body right he may be the 2026 fullback.
If Woods is ready to play left side half moving Burton or Xerri to fullback might be an option.
I rate Cochrane, and I was hoping that he would get a crack at NRL fullback this season.
The young school boy fullback is a few years away but he is an exciting talent, people will come to games just to see him play.
Between players joining the club next season and players developing at the club, we should have the answer to most questions next season.
My only complaint about Cirro at the back end of the season is perhaps not enough squad rotation and some young guys deserved an opportunity to show what they could do.
I think that the luck averaged out over the season.
The last few weeks and the loss to Penrith doesn't freak me out, I sort of understand why it happened.
We will never see Sexton and Burton defending on the left edge again, Cirro is hopefully going to start going with more size in the starting pack.
Cirro had a few tough decisions to make and tossed a couple of coins which came up tails when we needed heads. And/or Penrith were just too good for us.
My only complaint about Cirro at the back end of the season is perhaps not enough squad rotation and some young guys deserved an opportunity to show what they could do.
I think that the luck averaged out over the season.
The last few weeks and the loss to Penrith doesn't freak me out, I sort of understand why it happened.
We will never see Sexton and Burton defending on the left edge again, Cirro is hopefully going to start going with more size in the starting pack.
Cirro had a few tough decisions to make and tossed a couple of coins which came up tails when we needed heads. And/or Penrith were just too good for us.
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It is easier to rest players when the squad doesn't need to practice playing high intensity games.
And it is easy to rotate players when both candidates for a position are good options.
Both years the squad struggled with an intense end to the season. And with a lack of good opinions in the middle.
And it is easy to rotate players when both candidates for a position are good options.
Both years the squad struggled with an intense end to the season. And with a lack of good opinions in the middle.
We a team is badly beaten a good question to ask is -
"Who played well?"
Any player who plays well anytime that happens is a keeper.
IMO the good performers in order were Preston, Toups, Galvin, King, Tracey, Hayward, Kiraz, Xerri, Curran and Hayes.
Mann, Burton and Kiks have performed well on many occasions in the past, Rinakama was simply too young.
I have at least 10/17 getting a pass mark, 4 others getting an exemption.
The guys that didn't quite make the grade tried hard. For 2 of them being in and out of the side or playing in a new defensive position was a issue.
There is a lot of upside, particularly in the first 3 names I listed.
All 3 of them and many others were out of the side and fair few weeks. Injuries we were around average, suspensions above average.
If Preston, Toups, Hughes and Galvin did a full offseason with the Dogs in 2025, and are available for selection each week. We probably finish top 2, and we probably rest players.
That will not be enough in 2026, but top 2 should be the aim.
"Who played well?"
Any player who plays well anytime that happens is a keeper.
IMO the good performers in order were Preston, Toups, Galvin, King, Tracey, Hayward, Kiraz, Xerri, Curran and Hayes.
Mann, Burton and Kiks have performed well on many occasions in the past, Rinakama was simply too young.
I have at least 10/17 getting a pass mark, 4 others getting an exemption.
The guys that didn't quite make the grade tried hard. For 2 of them being in and out of the side or playing in a new defensive position was a issue.
There is a lot of upside, particularly in the first 3 names I listed.
All 3 of them and many others were out of the side and fair few weeks. Injuries we were around average, suspensions above average.
If Preston, Toups, Hughes and Galvin did a full offseason with the Dogs in 2025, and are available for selection each week. We probably finish top 2, and we probably rest players.
That will not be enough in 2026, but top 2 should be the aim.
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Left side- Woods/Burton 7 + Spinks/Kiks
Right side - Galvin + Preston.
Lock - Curran
Spinks is the player most likely to do on the left what Preston does on the right. No need to move Preston.
These are the changes worth considering, I haven't changed my opinion about players who didn’t perform last game.
I also want to see what Woods and Spinks can do at NRL level.
Hard to believe that Curran only came on after 45 minutes.
Kiks could play a bit of second row and a bit of lock, some games.
Woods might be a worse defender than Burton, but we need to try him at NRL level. For big games we could revert to proven options, but I hope that we have designated replacements who are the long term future in those positions,
Perhaps we play Burton at centre more often.
We don't want replacements and untested combinations in the semis again.
Right side - Galvin + Preston.
Lock - Curran
Spinks is the player most likely to do on the left what Preston does on the right. No need to move Preston.
These are the changes worth considering, I haven't changed my opinion about players who didn’t perform last game.
I also want to see what Woods and Spinks can do at NRL level.
Hard to believe that Curran only came on after 45 minutes.
Kiks could play a bit of second row and a bit of lock, some games.
Woods might be a worse defender than Burton, but we need to try him at NRL level. For big games we could revert to proven options, but I hope that we have designated replacements who are the long term future in those positions,
Perhaps we play Burton at centre more often.
We don't want replacements and untested combinations in the semis again.
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The 2026 jigsaw is probably different to the 2024/2025 jigsaw.
The coach has more options and more information.
Starting hooker is Hayward, but who starts if Hayward is injured?
If Turpin and Otutolo are still at the club they can play starting hooker and lock.
The young guys like Moyle don't seem to be ready.
If either of these guys leave we are signing a hooker.
Soni Luke was the best player in the team Cirro coached at the Panthers. His career has stalled at the Panthers, he is 4th or 5th choice hooker even after players like Egan have left. Rebooting his career would be a challenge for the coach and player - this is speculation.
14 options are
O'Neill- hooker/ Half/ lock
Tia - hooker / Half / lock / centre
O'Neill is more of a half, Tia is turning into more of a centre.
If Burton starts at 5/8 O'Neill otherwise Tia
IMO lock and prop also change a lot, Salmon mostly plays reserve grade, Mann may not be in the side each week, but may be more effective when he plays.
The coach has more options and more information.
Starting hooker is Hayward, but who starts if Hayward is injured?
If Turpin and Otutolo are still at the club they can play starting hooker and lock.
The young guys like Moyle don't seem to be ready.
If either of these guys leave we are signing a hooker.
Soni Luke was the best player in the team Cirro coached at the Panthers. His career has stalled at the Panthers, he is 4th or 5th choice hooker even after players like Egan have left. Rebooting his career would be a challenge for the coach and player - this is speculation.
14 options are
O'Neill- hooker/ Half/ lock
Tia - hooker / Half / lock / centre
O'Neill is more of a half, Tia is turning into more of a centre.
If Burton starts at 5/8 O'Neill otherwise Tia
IMO lock and prop also change a lot, Salmon mostly plays reserve grade, Mann may not be in the side each week, but may be more effective when he plays.
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My take on what went wrong against the Panthers.
We don't really play an up and in defence, up and in is plan B and what it often looks like when it is going wrong.
Players are supposed to shuffle across field following the ball and keeping spacing tight.
I am not sure what the half, centre and winger are supposed to do. In recent weeks they have been standing wide and in theory the line could shuffle across to meet up with them. Standing wide can help to defend an early kick.
But at times they have been well in field and connected to the tightly spaced line.
Earlier in the season against weaker opposition we were winning the ruck, the defensive system was working and we shuffled well enough to match the slower and sometimes poorly executed ball movement.
Some have commented that we concede line breaks between the second rower and half, that can happen when the half is wider and the line can't shuffle across in time.
Later in the season we have been losing the ruck because we are losing the collision that is simple physics, bigger bodies running hard tend to win the collision.
The second part is mathematics, multiple smaller bodies in a tackle mean bigger spaces in the line and if bigger bodies are running up the middle even more chance of them winning the collision against fewer defenders and wider spaces.
Time is the third element a fast play the ball for the opposition, which they have mostly earned, means some defenders on the ground or offside. The line has bigger gaps and is not set and we don't have time to move.
We don't really play an up and in defence, up and in is plan B and what it often looks like when it is going wrong.
Players are supposed to shuffle across field following the ball and keeping spacing tight.
I am not sure what the half, centre and winger are supposed to do. In recent weeks they have been standing wide and in theory the line could shuffle across to meet up with them. Standing wide can help to defend an early kick.
But at times they have been well in field and connected to the tightly spaced line.
Earlier in the season against weaker opposition we were winning the ruck, the defensive system was working and we shuffled well enough to match the slower and sometimes poorly executed ball movement.
Some have commented that we concede line breaks between the second rower and half, that can happen when the half is wider and the line can't shuffle across in time.
Later in the season we have been losing the ruck because we are losing the collision that is simple physics, bigger bodies running hard tend to win the collision.
The second part is mathematics, multiple smaller bodies in a tackle mean bigger spaces in the line and if bigger bodies are running up the middle even more chance of them winning the collision against fewer defenders and wider spaces.
Time is the third element a fast play the ball for the opposition, which they have mostly earned, means some defenders on the ground or offside. The line has bigger gaps and is not set and we don't have time to move.
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Part 2-
The end result of all of the above is a disconnect between the half and backrower the half needs to make a decision. One one critical play Sexton jammed in and Burton hung back making no decision. Sexton might have made the wrong decision, but Burton had no choice but to follow it.
When fully fit, Critter, Xerri, Montoya, and Kiraz solve many of these problems, usually that happens by Critter, Xerri, and Montoya covering 2 attackers with a well timed slide. Or jambing at the right time.
Sexton was used to playing with Critter earlier in the season, who usually covered up the majority of these issues.
The other aspect is fatigue, we emptied the tank against Panthers round 17, Manly and the Storm twice. We more or less went all in on beating the Storm in Melbourne in week 1 of the semis. Effort areas from the Dogs in that game are apparently the highest by any team any game this season.
Playing Cirro's system against better teams week after week at the end of the season is very taxing, especially when those better teams win more of the collisions and get faster play the balls.
Our energy levels were summed up by Kiraz making a solo kick chase on To'o and missing the tackle. Other kick chasers were not in the frame.
Kick chase was usually setting our defensive system up to dominate. When it isn't right, losing every ruck in the set against a bigger team is no surprise.
One guy who can hit hard in tackles, can turn losing the ruck into getting posession. Some of our players attempted to do that, but in a rushed way with poor execution, which may create other problems. A big strong guy or someone like Turpin with excellent technique can usually do it better.
The players were not lazy, they were just physically and mentally totally spent. What ever fuel they had left went into the first 15 minutes.
We rallied at half-time and were able to to make the second half respectable.
There is nothing wrong with the system, we simply need more size in the middle a bigger starting lock playing longer minutes and more squad rotation.
Since something similar has happened 2 seasons in a row, there is no excuse for it happening in 2026. Cirro has more size and talent to work with.
The end result of all of the above is a disconnect between the half and backrower the half needs to make a decision. One one critical play Sexton jammed in and Burton hung back making no decision. Sexton might have made the wrong decision, but Burton had no choice but to follow it.
When fully fit, Critter, Xerri, Montoya, and Kiraz solve many of these problems, usually that happens by Critter, Xerri, and Montoya covering 2 attackers with a well timed slide. Or jambing at the right time.
Sexton was used to playing with Critter earlier in the season, who usually covered up the majority of these issues.
The other aspect is fatigue, we emptied the tank against Panthers round 17, Manly and the Storm twice. We more or less went all in on beating the Storm in Melbourne in week 1 of the semis. Effort areas from the Dogs in that game are apparently the highest by any team any game this season.
Playing Cirro's system against better teams week after week at the end of the season is very taxing, especially when those better teams win more of the collisions and get faster play the balls.
Our energy levels were summed up by Kiraz making a solo kick chase on To'o and missing the tackle. Other kick chasers were not in the frame.
Kick chase was usually setting our defensive system up to dominate. When it isn't right, losing every ruck in the set against a bigger team is no surprise.
One guy who can hit hard in tackles, can turn losing the ruck into getting posession. Some of our players attempted to do that, but in a rushed way with poor execution, which may create other problems. A big strong guy or someone like Turpin with excellent technique can usually do it better.
The players were not lazy, they were just physically and mentally totally spent. What ever fuel they had left went into the first 15 minutes.
We rallied at half-time and were able to to make the second half respectable.
There is nothing wrong with the system, we simply need more size in the middle a bigger starting lock playing longer minutes and more squad rotation.
Since something similar has happened 2 seasons in a row, there is no excuse for it happening in 2026. Cirro has more size and talent to work with.
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Possession is also part of it.
Had Edwards been sin binned and we spent 10 minutes attacking the Panthers line against 10 men, we would have taken some juice out of them even if we didn't score.
They might have made more mistakes and gave away more penalties, we might have made fewer errors. Energy levels are a factor.
We would have need to earn repeat sets and 6-agains or make the yards to get back down there.
It probably was a sin bin, but only 60/40.
I think that the problem with players being injured or tired can only show up sometimes after the game has started.
No doubt that the Panthers have taught us some valuable lessons, on squad management, game plan and execution.
Had Edwards been sin binned and we spent 10 minutes attacking the Panthers line against 10 men, we would have taken some juice out of them even if we didn't score.
They might have made more mistakes and gave away more penalties, we might have made fewer errors. Energy levels are a factor.
We would have need to earn repeat sets and 6-agains or make the yards to get back down there.
It probably was a sin bin, but only 60/40.
I think that the problem with players being injured or tired can only show up sometimes after the game has started.
No doubt that the Panthers have taught us some valuable lessons, on squad management, game plan and execution.
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I am happy for our guys to go all in and become battle hardened in tough games the hard way.
The danger is if we burn the guys out season after season for no result, then players will want to leave, new players will not want to come, and players will take shortcuts.
So far, new players do want to come, and they are expecting to work hard.
It isn't good enough for Cirro and Gus to shrug it off after the event. I want our last game of the season to be one of our better performances. We need to rest and rotate some players over the last few weeks of the season.
The main thing is that we progress each season. Next season I am expecting to start with similar defence to 2025 and much better attack.
Fewer suspensions due to brain snaps, more competitive against bigger forwards and fewer guys in SOO.
The danger is if we burn the guys out season after season for no result, then players will want to leave, new players will not want to come, and players will take shortcuts.
So far, new players do want to come, and they are expecting to work hard.
It isn't good enough for Cirro and Gus to shrug it off after the event. I want our last game of the season to be one of our better performances. We need to rest and rotate some players over the last few weeks of the season.
The main thing is that we progress each season. Next season I am expecting to start with similar defence to 2025 and much better attack.
Fewer suspensions due to brain snaps, more competitive against bigger forwards and fewer guys in SOO.
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I've analysed this in detail above. Not saying I am right, but it is an opinion.
But the big picture is that we needed to win the week 1 semi against the Storm in Melbourne.
A week off and a home GF qualifier against the Sharks, we would have been some chance. And even if the season ended there, most fans would have been happy.
I thought we were a chance against the Panthers, but I underestimated what bad shape we were in. More importantly, I forgot how good the Panthers could be in daytime conditions.
After we lost to the Storm, beating the Panthers and Broncos was a long shot.
The only real regret this season is occasional games with patches of 30-40 minutes when we were not in the contest, usually that played out something like what I described above.
If we ask the question, - what have we learned? Cirro and the players should have learned a lot.
As for the actual season results, 3rd and out with 2 straight losses, that is a pass mark, and it wasn't far away from being a bit better than that.
Some games and some parts of some games are definitely disappointing, but if we understand why, and learn the lessons, that will help us in the future.
Aside from the team that wins the comp, all teams and all fans will be disappointed about something.
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IMO this line up is possible at some stage next season.
1. Critter
2. Kiraz
3. Burton
4. Xerri
5. Montoya
6. Galvin
7. Woods
8. Thompson
9. Hayward
10 King
11. Spinks
12 Preston
13 Curran
14. Tia, O'Sullivan or O'Neill
15. Toups
16. Hayes
17. Kiks (lock)
I would be confident if this side fully fit, injury free and in form, was playing in the semis.
Woods starting at 7 and the signing of O'Sullivan makes sense if Burton shifts permanently to centre.
Tia can play centre, otherwise Woods can shift back to fullback, or Hayes or Peston can play centre.
Burton might have a shoulder ACL, that might be a factor in defence against the Panthers. Anyway I am sure that he can defend well in the centres once combinations are formed.
Perhaps we want to start forming combinations round 1.
1. Critter
2. Kiraz
3. Burton
4. Xerri
5. Montoya
6. Galvin
7. Woods
8. Thompson
9. Hayward
10 King
11. Spinks
12 Preston
13 Curran
14. Tia, O'Sullivan or O'Neill
15. Toups
16. Hayes
17. Kiks (lock)
I would be confident if this side fully fit, injury free and in form, was playing in the semis.
Woods starting at 7 and the signing of O'Sullivan makes sense if Burton shifts permanently to centre.
Tia can play centre, otherwise Woods can shift back to fullback, or Hayes or Peston can play centre.
Burton might have a shoulder ACL, that might be a factor in defence against the Panthers. Anyway I am sure that he can defend well in the centres once combinations are formed.
Perhaps we want to start forming combinations round 1.
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In addition to being a back up half, O'Sullivan will educate Woods and O'Neill on the finer points of being an organising halfback.
For 2026 we have 3 proper halfbacks, they will be heavily involved when playing 7.
Some talk of Foran joining the club, presumably in a coaching role.
Tia is the ideal 14, a bigger body, speed and footwork, Can play centre as well as hooker, lock and in the halves, can kick the ball. Might be dangerous running from dummy-half.
For 2026 we have 3 proper halfbacks, they will be heavily involved when playing 7.
Some talk of Foran joining the club, presumably in a coaching role.
Tia is the ideal 14, a bigger body, speed and footwork, Can play centre as well as hooker, lock and in the halves, can kick the ball. Might be dangerous running from dummy-half.
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Tia, Toups, Hayes and Kiks off the bench is plenty of impact.
Todd, Latu, Underhill, Hopoi, Hughes and DSF can add impact.
Todd and Latu could be competing with Curran for starting lock.
Latu could be competing with Spinks and Kiks for starting backrow.
Mann will have plenty of impact when he plays, especially if we at least break even in the middle, get a run of possession, or fast play the balls.
I want to see what a Woods / Spinks combination can do in the NRL and also hopefully tighten up the left edge defence with a classical secondrower.
Fans who are worried about how the Dogs will go in 2026 have been watching far too much NRL 360.
OK, if Cirro persists with picking Salmon at starting lock, I will be less optimistic.
Todd, Latu, Underhill, Hopoi, Hughes and DSF can add impact.
Todd and Latu could be competing with Curran for starting lock.
Latu could be competing with Spinks and Kiks for starting backrow.
Mann will have plenty of impact when he plays, especially if we at least break even in the middle, get a run of possession, or fast play the balls.
I want to see what a Woods / Spinks combination can do in the NRL and also hopefully tighten up the left edge defence with a classical secondrower.
Fans who are worried about how the Dogs will go in 2026 have been watching far too much NRL 360.
OK, if Cirro persists with picking Salmon at starting lock, I will be less optimistic.
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Good points made here HD.
I dont blame Jethro too much. Panthers were very good of stripping us of numbers. Im more concerned with how bad our scramble defence was.
Burton was a mess defensively.
He is actually a not very good defensive player, its just that its usually masked when he plays 5/8th.
Wirh his inability to offer much in attack (other than a kicking game) i honestly think we can do without him and need to move the team forward. No point flogging a dead horse.
To his supporters, i usually ask the folloing question..... If the dogs came up against a team that jad Burton in it, do they shake in their boots or do they lick their lips?
Exactly. Time to move him on.
Good points again.
We certainly were dominated through the middle, but that was only a territorial loss.
All penrith tries (with exception of the Kenny grubber for Henry) were scored via the flanks. All of them.
This loss was a defensive shambles on our part but also extremely good execution from Panthers.
We were outsmarted badly.
Earlier in the year, we would scramble and stop many of their tries, but by seasons end and with centres missing or playing other side of the field, the Panthers picked us apart.
Best example was when Cleary receives a second phase offload and immediately fires the ball out wide for Tago and Alamoti to strip our left side.
Too smart and great eyes up footy.
Something unfortunately only Galvin possesses.