StephenP
ArnoldNRL Club Analysis for Season '08 - Canterbury Bulldogs
February 12th 2008 07:07
Canterbury Bulldogs
Attack – 7/10
Defence – 8/10
My prediction – 10th
Defence – 8/10
My prediction – 10th
2008 will be a make or break season for the Canterbury Bulldogs both on and off the field. Coach Steve Folkes is under immense pressure to produce positive results right from the word go, while boardroom in-fighting threatens to tear the once proud club apart.
The mass exodus of playing talent over the past six years has left the Canterbury club with an almost unrecognisable playing roster for the NRL’s Centenary season, with household names like Mason, O’Meley, Sherwin, Anasta and Thurston re-established elsewhere. Alot of emphasis has been placed on the Bulldogs rising up and comers in season ‘08, and given that the ‘Doggies finished minor premiers in the Premier League competition last season, Canterbury fans will have a new breed of exciting ‘pups’ to cheer for.
While the Bulldogs are always competitive, expect the Belmore based club to struggle if struck down by injuries, and with a tight competition race expected, than it could very well be a long season for the Canterbury faithful.
Strengths-
Despite losing international props O’Meley and Mason over the off season, the Bulldogs will again try and dominate teams through their physical forward pack. With a talented backrow consisting of Maitua, Williams and Ryan providing their backline with skilful second phase play, expect coach Folkes to instill a simple yardage gameplan for his expected four prop rotation.
The ‘bash and barge’ approach has worked quite successfully for the Canterbury club in recent seasons, but it remains to be seen whether the limited interchange rulings, coupled with the loss of some quality forwards, will have an impact on the Bulldogs success in 2008.
Weaknesses-
While the Bulldogs Top 17 looks the goods, it is their lack of quality depth that should see them lose out in a tight race to the semis. The ‘Doggies still posses the size and skill up front to mix it with most teams, however it remains to be seen how the Belmore based club will travel with a run of injuries. Another potential problem area for coach Folkes is the experience and leadership of rookie halves pairing Holdsworth and Roberts, with the clubs lack of depth leaving only Michael Sullivan as the only other play making alternative.
The big question is whether coach Folkes can mould a team full of brilliant individuals into an imposing premiership force before Round 8, which is allegedly the amount of time the beleaguered coach has been given to start showing results.
Best Team-
1- Luke Patten
2- Hazem El Masri
3- Daryl Millard
4- Willie Tonga
5- Matt Utai
6- Daniel Holdsworth
7- Ben Roberts
8- Chris Armit
9- Corey Hughes
10- Jarrad Hickey
11- Sonny Bill Williams
12- Andrew Ryan
13- Reni Maitua
14- Nick Kouparitsas
15- Justin Tsoulos
16- Michael Sullivan
17– Kane Cleal
Trial Matches-
23/2/08 v St George-Illawarra Dragons @ WIN Stadium
29/02/08 v Penrith Panthers @ Telstra Stadium
2008 Gains and Losses –
Gains – Aaron Groom (Manly), Justin Tsoulos and Nathan Tannous (Parramatta), Michael Sullivan (Warrington), Charlie Leano (St George-Illawarra), Danny Williams (Sydney Roosters), Robert Worsley (Cronulla), Chevvy Penehoe (Penrith), Conrad Ta’akimoeaka (North Sydney)
Losses – Willie Mason and Mark O’Meley (Sydney Roosters), Dallas McIlwain and Adam Brideson (Wynnum Manly), Brent Sherwin (Castleford), Trent Cutler and Aaron Wheatley (released), Billy Ngawini and Esi Tonga (Gold Coast), Karl Filiga (Cronulla), Jon Green (St George-Illawarra)
*Please join me tomorrow for my Analysis of the Canberra Raiders 2008 season.
Cheers,
StephenP
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