Bulldogs Debate Page

[Micko]

Last season or best attack was probably at the backend of the season with Galvin and Preston prominent.

Critter dominated the second half against the Raiders. We were good against the Sharks early, but Manly was the only game where we executed well in attack for 80 minutes.

We won a lot of games, but often had to work hard for those wins, even against sides going even worse in attack than we were.

We won a lot of close hard fought games mainly on the back of defence, fitness, tesm spirit and composure with the occasional bit of good attack.

My point is- it will not be hard to improve on our 2025 attack, and we need to retain the 2025 defence. If the defence is there, I expect the attack to eventually be what we want to see.

Our attack should be much more settled with Galvin doing reps with the team. Once the others start running off him the way he demands the points will come.

Hopefully Hayward is super fit and has put on some kgs because he will need it. We need a 9 capable of putting our forwards into space. Reed did this well last year. Hopefully Hayward can do similar or better.

Burton needs to be in the side somewhere. He gives us great field position off his boot. That gives us plenty of time to put on points. I’m still hoping he is moved to lock eventually.

Our defence should be as good if not better. Our attack should be much better because of Galvin. We might go closer than a lot of people think.

 

[Hounddog]

We saw with Walsh what difference an X-Factor player at fullback can make.

We also saw that in the big games at the end of the season being able to at least match the opposition in the forwards helps.

I definitely that that our 2026 squad is stronger than 2025. Finishing around the same number of wins as 2025, but with more convincing wins is what I expect.

I am happy with all of our recruitment for 2026, even Baker, and Gordon CKT who are not top 30 might surprise some.

Gordon looks strong and fit, he has got obvious talent and there are probably reasons why he hasn't played much NRL to date. Cirro might be able to fix the issues.

I think that Gordon has probably replaced Turpin, while I thought that Turpin was good I understand the decision.

I've heard very good things about Latu and I have seen the highlights for Sua and Cochrane.

Wilson, Mazzone, Morrin and Turpin are probably the players fans will
miss the most. But the club has probably made the right call.

 

[Micko]

It would be great to have an x factor fullback like Walsh. But Bozos have a lot of other players around him that won’t last games. He just put the icing on the cake.

I hope we can develop a great fullback. But unlike the Bozos we can’t spend whatever we want on players and stay under the cap. How they were able to sign Reynolds, Hunt, Walsh in the space of two years is bullshit. And apparently all took unders.

We have to do what Penrith did. The difference is we have to go into the market for juniors. We will get there. I’m sure we will have a player ready to take over from Tracey in the next couple of years.

 

[Marki]

It would be great to have an x factor fullback like Walsh. But Bozos have a lot of other players around him that won’t last games. He just put the icing on the cake.

I hope we can develop a great fullback. But unlike the Bozos we can’t spend whatever we want on players and stay under the cap. How they were able to sign Reynolds, Hunt, Walsh in the space of two years is bullshit. And apparently all took unders.

We have to do what Penrith did. The difference is we have to go into the market for juniors. We will get there. I’m sure we will have a player ready to take over from Tracey in the next couple of years.

Walsh single handedly beat Canberra in week 1 which went a long way to them winning the premiership. He also starred in the GF and also contributed to the win against Penrith.

He had a remarkable end to the season that was on par with Hayne in 2009 and Barba in 2012.

He had support by other Broncos but without him, they get beaten by Canberra and in all likelihood fail to win the premiership

 

[Marki]

Walsh single handedly beat Canberra in week 1 which went a long way to them winning the premiership. He also starred in the GF and also contributed to the win against Penrith.

He had a remarkable end to the season that was on par with Hayne in 2009 and Barba in 2012.

He had support by other Broncos but without him, they get beaten by Canberra and in all likelihood fail to win the premiership

I should also state that its no coincidence that most premiers in the NRL era have had gun FBs.

Dylan Edwards is probably the least flashiest but still has a high output and big stats in GFs.

We are kidding ourselves if we think we can win the thing without one.

 

[Hounddog]

My NFL team Chicago Bears are going great.

The next step for the Dogs is getting a "statement win" like the Bears just did beating last season premiers at their home ground when only 3/10 experts expected a Bears win.

The statement part was the highly rated opposition looked second rate all game, though the first 30 mins or so was tight.

Dogs have the depth and desire, we just need to prove that we have the quality.

Jack Todd is only player that might do it for us, a middle forward with great try scoring ability.

We do need a better fullback.

I think that the Dogs have the coaching team, and that is the other parallel with the Bears.

 

[Micko]

We need a fullback. But the problem is we either need to blood a young one and stick with them or go into the overpriced market

 

[Hounddog]

We need a fullback. But the problem is we either need to blood a young one and stick with them or go into the overpriced market

The 3 young prospects are.
1. Dykes - very good, but has had a bad run of injuries.
2. Cochrane - classy but inexerinced - might be ready for NRL.
3. Bryenton - seems like an elite talent but might be 2 years away from NRL.

IMO th3 best option is to see how those 3 guys progess in 2026.

If we are going to sign a player Bulla is my prefered option or a gun FB from the lower grades.

There are also a few good players playing wing or centre in the NRL who would make good fullbacks.

If we decide to sign a FB it might not be a guy playing regular NRL at FB.

Manly are a good club to raid, outside of Turbo thet have 2-3: players capable of playing FB.

 

[Hounddog]

We csn add Jones to the list of emerging Dogs middlr forwards.

Smith is younger, but is a elite talent at prop,.

Biggest question IMO is how Woods progresses, seems like Burto will start at left side half and Galvin will start on the right.

Woods may need to wait for injury / suspension or might play off the bench.

As 14 most halves are capable of playing some minutes at hooker.

The risk would be a HIA to Hayward early in the game.

13. Todd / Curran
14. Woods / O'Neill
15. Mann / Salmon / Turpin / Young / Tia

- works

But if Mann plays 15, 14 potentially has to play big minutes at hooker.

Edit. The other option is.

13 Turpin
14 Woods
15 Mann

It is hard to guess what our team will look like by the end of 2026.

 

[Hounddog]

I don't think that the spine has been losing games 2024/2025, they just didn't win games, most of the time.

Our centres and second rowers win more games.

With Galvin one the right side, the spine was improving.

Fullback is probably the difference between being competitive in the semis and winning comps or our forwards are.

I will not be surpised if the forwards win a few games in 2026, that hasn't happened for at least 10 years.

It is going to be an interesting season, and we could finish anywhere between premiers and 10th.

 

[Micko]

The 3 young prospects are.
1. Dykes - very good, but has had a bad run of injuries.
2. Cochrane - classy but inexerinced - might be ready for NRL.
3. Bryenton - seems like an elite talent but might be 2 years away from NRL.

IMO th3 best option is to see how those 3 guys progess in 2026.

If we are going to sign a player Bulla is my prefered option or a gun FB from the lower grades.

There are also a few good players playing wing or centre in the NRL who would make good fullbacks.

If we decide to sign a FB it might not be a guy playing regular NRL at FB.

Manly are a good club to raid, outside of Turbo thet have 2-3: players capable of playing FB.

Would agree. And sign at least two more that are potentials hopefully. The more junior talent pushing each other the better.

 

[Hounddog]

I've got some toughts on 2026 now based on my impressions and a few things Gus has said.

Round 1 - Critter, Tuala, Montoya and Rinakama might be out.
But Montoya might be right to play.. when fit Critter and Montoya will play their normal ppsitions.
Dykes is probably right but thay might give him a few games in reserve grade.

If he trails well we will sign O'Meley for extra depth at wing, centre, fullback and perphaps second row. But he will not be able play NRL until after round 10.

 

[Hounddog]

Guys most likely to fill the backline gaps round 1. Corcherane and Sua.

After the trails we may need to romote Cocherane or O'Meley to top 30.

If Montoya is fit or Dykes is ready the are the other options.

IMO The fullback options will be - Cocherane, Dykes, Tracey O'Meley, Tuala.

Cocherane and Dykes are the main contenders, we may start to migrate Tracey to other role.

FB hunch for Vegas - Tracey / Cocherane, Cocherane mainly playing wing, but possibly playing at bit of FB late in the game. If O'Meley plays, he probably plays the whole game as a winger.

 

[Hounddog]

Top 30 is a bit of a mystery Turpin, Hopoi and Spinks might be added to the 29 man squad listed, so we might have no ability to promote a back to cover injuries.

Jones is the other candidate to be promoted or at least play NRL before round 10

We have seen in previous seasons that the top 30 isn't final uhtil at least after tge trials.

 

[Hounddog]

Woods will probably 14 early in the season, but not round 1.

The ground in Vegas is narrow, a grinding, intense forwards battle is possible.

I think that Cirro will try to win with defence and the attack will come from Galvin, Burton, Kiks and Preston.

Thst favours Tracey playing at fullback.

So aside from injuries, not that many changes for round 1.

13, Hayes / Curran is my latest thinking, and we might see that round 1.

I now like the idea of Hayes at 13 even more than Curran at 13.

 

[Marki]

Woods will probably 14 early in the season, but not round 1.

The ground in Vegas is narrow, a grinding, intense forwards battle is possible.

I think that Cirro will try to win with defence and the attack will come from Galvin, Burton, Kiks and Preston.

Thst favours Tracey playing at fullback.

So aside from injuries, not that many changes for round 1.

13, Hayes / Curran is my latest thinking, and we might see that round 1.

I now like the idea of Hayes at 13 even more than Curran at 13.

Tracey will be FB unless injured or someone is banging down the door to replace him.

CC will not be experimenting with FB unless/until it is warranted.

On that note, if we haven't signed an established top grade FB by Round 1, it will be Tracey in that role all season.

My mindset seems to be different when it comes to players in key spine positions. If our team is considered a lock for top 8/top 4, you cannot waste time trying to develop players into such roles. You have to go to market and buy 1 that completes your team.

We certainly need an upgrade on Tracey and cannot waste 2 seasons trying to unearth the bect best thing (with possibility of unearthing nothing). We must fill that spot and do it quickly. If that means paying alittle more, then so be it.

The time for developing spine players is when you are not in a window. You can do it in other (multiple positions) like second row, middle forward, centre, wing. But you dont stuff around with specialist single position roles like FB, HB, or hooker.

 

[Hounddog]

Tracey will be FB unless injured or someone is banging down the door to replace him.

CC will not be experimenting with FB unless/until it is warranted.

On that note, if we haven't signed an established top grade FB by Round 1, it will be Tracey in that role all season.

My mindset seems to be different when it comes to players in key spine positions. If our team is considered a lock for top 8/top 4, you cannot waste time trying to develop players into such roles. You have to go to market and buy 1 that completes your team.

We certainly need an upgrade on Tracey and cannot waste 2 seasons trying to unearth the bect best thing (with possibility of unearthing nothing). We must fill that spot and do it quickly. If that means paying alittle more, then so be it.

The time for developing spine players is when you are not in a window. You can do it in other (multiple positions) like second row, middle forward, centre, wing. But you dont stuff around with specialist single position roles like FB, HB, or hooker.

Tine will tell Tracey will probably start the season at FB.

The fact that we experimented with Critter filling on at FB late in the season shows that the coaches know we need at bit more in attack.

And the signing of Dykes.

IMO Dykes, Cocherane and in particuar Breynton have more upside in attack. But there are reasons why Dykes ans Cocherane might not progress. Breynton is far too young for NRL, but I expect him to progess to playing Flegg.

Starting lock is the other position where the team needs to improve. IMO the club has multiple options Hayes, Curran, Todd, Latu, Jones. All are capable of playing long minutes with a good work rate and mobility in ddfence. All offer some threat in attack.

Souths signed a lot of our juniors and some of them were good players. Parra did something similar last season, signing slightly older players. I can't see us signing players from other clubs for big money, clubs signing our players is more likely.

I don't rate Pappy highly. I do rate Bulla and if we were trying to sign him we wouldn't put thst up in neon lights.

Bulla and Galvin are great mates. Bulla is very impressed with the increase in Galvin's speed, he knows we have great medical, conditioning and coaching.

One of John Lang's sons is working to get Critter's body right and it hasn't been right for 2-3 seasons. We need to be patient, but tne improved version of Critter is worth waiting for.

That is also on reason why Dykes came here, if anyone can fix his body and get him playing NRL to his full potential, the Dogs can.

 

[Hounddog]

Joey O'Neill released and going to another NRL club.

Good halfback, but not as good as Woods and we have some other good young halves.

My hunch is that he might go to Souths, perhaps for one year and then perhaps to PNG or Perth. Lots of guys he played with now at Souths.

Top 28 still doesn't include Hopoi, Turpin or Spinks. No room to squeeze Cocherane in, we are more likely to release a player than we are to sign a player.

 

[Micko]

Tracey will be FB unless injured or someone is banging down the door to replace him.

CC will not be experimenting with FB unless/until it is warranted.

On that note, if we haven't signed an established top grade FB by Round 1, it will be Tracey in that role all season.

My mindset seems to be different when it comes to players in key spine positions. If our team is considered a lock for top 8/top 4, you cannot waste time trying to develop players into such roles. You have to go to market and buy 1 that completes your team.

We certainly need an upgrade on Tracey and cannot waste 2 seasons trying to unearth the bect best thing (with possibility of unearthing nothing). We must fill that spot and do it quickly. If that means paying alittle more, then so be it.

The time for developing spine players is when you are not in a window. You can do it in other (multiple positions) like second row, middle forward, centre, wing. But you dont stuff around with specialist single position roles like FB, HB, or hooker.

Who should we buy? Nobody on the market is better than Tracey for next year. How do you not understand this. Maybe you should be supporting the Chickens.

 

[Micko]

Joey O'Neill released and going to another NRL club.

Good halfback, but not as good as Woods and we have some other good young halves.

My hunch is that he might go to Souths, perhaps for one year and then perhaps to PNG or Perth. Lots of guys he played with now at Souths.

Top 28 still doesn't include Hopoi, Turpin or Spinks. No room to squeeze Cocherane in, we are more likely to release a player than we are to sign a player.

Joey is off to Saints. He clearly didn’t cut it. It’s a shame because he had that old fashioned halfback style.