So round 5 for full strength lol come on the Dogs big start!!

NEXT MAN UP!!

Our season more or less ended with the loss to the Storm in week 1 of the semis last season.

We went close to winning that game, and with a bit of luck could have won, and could have gone further.

We are building 2026 on the same defence, kick chase and low error rate as 2025.

But i think that we will have more attack from week 1 of the NRL season in 2026. All teams will improve, and we need to improve to match or better last season's result.

Switching Critter back to the left is part of that, and i hope that change is permanent. Burto is a good fit for Kiks and Critter, becuase often early ball is what tney need.

Our attack looked slick until Burto went off thrn we misfired because Galvin didn't combine well with Kiks and Critter.

Galvin works well on the right becuase Preston and Xerri are ball runners who like to hit holes.

So compared to 2025, we have more depth in the squad and better combinations in attack on both edges. We should also eventually have more punch up the middle in the forwards.

The right edge defence might take a bit of work but should get there, Critter will improve the left edge defence and it did have issues at times in 2025.

Overall, we need to improve to take the next step, but we seem to have a good plan.

I recall getting pumped by Penrith lol

SAQFLY said:

I recall getting pumped by Penrith lol

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Yep the tank was empty, Burto with a busted shoulder defending next to Sexton was a disaster.

Burton probsbly shouldn't have played.

The week before against the Storm waa more of a baramoter. We didn't have much luck but still came up short.

If we managed to beat the Storm, they also would have been flogged the following week.

This season we are rewinding the tape to the start and we know what we need to fix..

Depth is better including at centre, so less need to play injured players this year and often playing injured guys works out badly.

Fullback is probably the area where we don't currently have a good second option.

Cocherane's passing needs work, but I still prefer Cocherane to Critter or Kiraz.

Dykes might be an option when he is fit.

We tried Mann as a fill in dummy half and he threw one poor pass to O'Sullian. Turpin didn't stand out. I can see O'Sullivsn possibly claiming the 14 jumper with Turpin at 19 or another prop if Mann can fill in at dummy half.

We still haven't annouced an offical squad for Vegas. Hopoi is replacing Thompson. Apart from that I think it is tne 26 man squad i posted earlier, or we are taking 24.

The club is really keeping things low key. The presser with Cirro had bad audio and may have been at the airport? Will we get some media posts ftom Vegas?

Souths look pretty good and they have a bye before our round 5 game.

First 10 rounds of the NRL will be tough. We have a bye and i would setlle for 5 wins out of 9.

Likely win Dragons, Newcastle. Penrith, Cowboys

50/50 Canberra, Souths, Eels

Likely losses Broncos, Dolphins

If we win all of the 50/50s thst is 7 out of 9 which would be an excellent start.

While it is only trials Penrith and the Storm haven't won a game abd conceded a lot of points. Not certian but i have a question mark on both sides.

Souths and Dolphins have a strong roster and should foce their way into the top 8.

After 10 rounds we will have more idea about the form lines.

A slightly bumpy start to the season wouldn't be a surprise.

Mitch Barnett would suit the Dogs, quality player and a nice guy.

We have tne kind of supportive family envonment that would give his family valuable support.

Odviously it needs to work under tne salary cap, but a great replacement for Curran.

Perth might be to far away from family members.

I assume Newcastle and Sydney clubs are the main contenders.

Teams out we should towel.em.up

Montoya and Kiraz back good to see.

Happy that Hughes is starting.

IMO AJ, Tuala and Sua are still an outside chance of being in the final 19.

We are starting favourites, but the Dragons are still a pretty good side, the bookies odds for them are a bit high.

I think that we will win, but they might make us earn it and they might lead at some stage.

Considering that it might be a tight game and Kiraz and Montoya are returing from injury, i would have Sua in the 19.

Sua and O'Suliivsn as 19 and 20, becuase bith have X-factor and over injuries / HIA.

Depending on how the game pans out, Curran might be the unlucky player to miss out.

However, if we have a good lead with 20 mins to go and no injury / HIA issues, then Curran can be used to give a forward a rest. I would probably take off Kiks, shift Presto to the left and play Curran on the right.

I think that it is important that our side includes a bench player who can spark some attack, just in case we need him.

I'm nervous about this game, becuase expectations are high and we are favourites, plus the opposition will be up for it.

If we are leading by 10 or more after 60 mins, we can probably relax, or fitness and defence should close out the game.

Well that was close.

OldDogFan said:

Well that was close.

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Ugly game to watch.

Got lucky i thought in the end with that decision.

I won't disagree. I thought Flannigan's tirade against Atkins was harsh, sure a few 50/50s went our way but it wasn't all one way traffic.

OldDogFan said:

I won't disagree. I thought Flannigan's tirade against Atkins was harsh, sure a few 50/50s went our way but it wasn't all one way traffic.

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i'm still not convinced on the Burton Galvin combo.

Dragons definitely were out there to play , the media were pretty much on the Dogs all week and how they were preparing and what they were doing . No one gave the dragons a chance would had motivated them . but lucky we had critter definitely was the difference between the two teams. Galvin went well still think he will improve his game .
I think it's going to be a good season.

Thought the dragons played well above expectations defended well and made a few errors in attack. The Bulldogs seemed to play within themselves and let's remember it's round one..

Burton was good Galvin was good when they come together will we see something that resembles brilliance??

I would have sacked Shane Flannagan after his comments about not winning the comp

Both Burton and Galvin played well but you can clearly seevhey are both running ⅝'s. We needed an organiser in there and I think O'Sullivan should be ½ until Woods is ready. Ciraldo with Salmon reeks of Hayze Perham all over again.

I am happy with the win, exceptional scramble from the Dragons kept them in the game.

All 4 tries were good execution rather than poor defence.