Bulldogs Debate Page
- Thread starter Dman2025
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Good win but the Wahs with terrible as well and missing players. I think the test begins next week we're playing Roosters sharks storm and Panthers not sure which order that's going to be Semi Finals come eartly .,
Mostly the Dogs forced the Warriors into errors.
A bit like the Tigers pressured us last week.
The difference is we had the attack and defence last week to be competitive if we got our act together.
Wahs has some key players out injured which limited their attack.
Cirro and I have similar thoughts about Hayward. It isn't that Marhoney is that bad, Hayward is simply in better form.
In defence Hayward moves fast gets in lots of tackles and rarely misses. He is always in the game and is the guy in our side most likely to fall on a lose ball. His service from dummy-half is better and he has a better running game.
Marhoney does have the fitness to play big minutes at high tempo and occasionally nails some really good kicks.
I think that we have a pretty good hooker combination, even though Harry Grant is the standout.
Roosters far more dangerous in attack, up there with Canberra with attacking threats all over the park. Roosters defence and fitness might be questionable.
4 players were sin binned in that game and Spencer was apparently right in the middle of it. Discipline and concentration can be an issue for the Roosters.
Week by week, Roosters is the next game.
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What do you think of this possible future spine?
1. Tracey/Dykes/Cochrane
6. Burton
7. Woods
9. Hayward
13. Galvin/Mann (Salmon)
The Dogs lock plays like a half especially when Hayward or Mann is playing the role.
IMO Galvin could turn into a great 80 minute lock, and this spine would have the best passing, kicking and running game in the comp. Especially with a fully fit injury free Dykes at fullback.
1. Tracey/Dykes/Cochrane
6. Burton
7. Woods
9. Hayward
13. Galvin/Mann (Salmon)
The Dogs lock plays like a half especially when Hayward or Mann is playing the role.
IMO Galvin could turn into a great 80 minute lock, and this spine would have the best passing, kicking and running game in the comp. Especially with a fully fit injury free Dykes at fullback.
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I have a hunch Woods and Spinks will debut in round 27 against the Sharks.
Unless there are injuries i don't think that they will feature in the semis.
There probably isn't enough time to plug Woods into the side this season, unless he has already done a lot of training at 7 in the NRL squad.
IMO the spine above is good enough to win a comp, perhaps even good enough to win this year.
Unless there are injuries i don't think that they will feature in the semis.
There probably isn't enough time to plug Woods into the side this season, unless he has already done a lot of training at 7 in the NRL squad.
IMO the spine above is good enough to win a comp, perhaps even good enough to win this year.
I can't remember why the Roosters lead us 14-0 last time around.
But both teams have improved a lot since then and will be closer to full strength.
We need to handle Spencer and Teddy, they are the main dangers.
Definitely play Tracey if he is right, not sure about Toups, I trust Cirro to make the right call.
I am optimistic about our chances especially if we can will this game. Some hybrid of the Manly and Warriors games is required. Even if it is dry, a few more early kicks to get some klms in Teddy's legs.
Same team as the Warriors, but with Tracey replacing Jethro and Kiraz moving back to wing.
Chooks sometimes force passes, drop balls, give away penalties, and leak points. Scoreboard pressure and stopping them scoring might be enough to kick that off.
I doubt that they have the fitness to go 80 mins against us at high tempo.
Letting them score early, get a majority of possession and get some confidence can be dangerous. We might not be able to peg back a 14 point lead a second time.
But both teams have improved a lot since then and will be closer to full strength.
We need to handle Spencer and Teddy, they are the main dangers.
Definitely play Tracey if he is right, not sure about Toups, I trust Cirro to make the right call.
I am optimistic about our chances especially if we can will this game. Some hybrid of the Manly and Warriors games is required. Even if it is dry, a few more early kicks to get some klms in Teddy's legs.
Same team as the Warriors, but with Tracey replacing Jethro and Kiraz moving back to wing.
Chooks sometimes force passes, drop balls, give away penalties, and leak points. Scoreboard pressure and stopping them scoring might be enough to kick that off.
I doubt that they have the fitness to go 80 mins against us at high tempo.
Letting them score early, get a majority of possession and get some confidence can be dangerous. We might not be able to peg back a 14 point lead a second time.
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Dogs attack is very effective and hard to copy.
Halves, Hooker and Lock more the ball quickly across the field to our edge players. Left - Kiks and Xerri, Right Tracey and Critter.
The main criteria for our lock is to be good at passing in attack and be third man in in defence, or move up fast in defence and grab the attacker. Energy and effort are more important than the ability to hit a big guy running the ball with their shoulder- though Mann can do plenty of that.
The genius part of our attack is that all of our edge players are a big run threat and they all can pass. Xerri and Critter are excellent at giving the ball to the winger at the right time and in the right space.
Because we move the ball fast, teams need to slide fast, we work the opposition fullback at high tempo and frequently. This opens up the opportunity to turn a runner under against the direction of the slide.
Next season we will have more big body players able to punch a straight hard run up the middle. That is the other variation, when the opposition line spreads out early, test them up the middle.
Next season I can see Woods, Galvin and Hayward knowing when to hit a runner with a short ball.
In fact I hope that Galvin is the starting lock and O'Neill fills in when Woods is injured. In addition to being excellent kickers Woods and Burto are excellent ball runners.
I don’t know if Cirro is thinking what I am thinking, there is some overlap, but he sometimes makes decisions that surprise me.
Halves, Hooker and Lock more the ball quickly across the field to our edge players. Left - Kiks and Xerri, Right Tracey and Critter.
The main criteria for our lock is to be good at passing in attack and be third man in in defence, or move up fast in defence and grab the attacker. Energy and effort are more important than the ability to hit a big guy running the ball with their shoulder- though Mann can do plenty of that.
The genius part of our attack is that all of our edge players are a big run threat and they all can pass. Xerri and Critter are excellent at giving the ball to the winger at the right time and in the right space.
Because we move the ball fast, teams need to slide fast, we work the opposition fullback at high tempo and frequently. This opens up the opportunity to turn a runner under against the direction of the slide.
Next season we will have more big body players able to punch a straight hard run up the middle. That is the other variation, when the opposition line spreads out early, test them up the middle.
Next season I can see Woods, Galvin and Hayward knowing when to hit a runner with a short ball.
In fact I hope that Galvin is the starting lock and O'Neill fills in when Woods is injured. In addition to being excellent kickers Woods and Burto are excellent ball runners.
I don’t know if Cirro is thinking what I am thinking, there is some overlap, but he sometimes makes decisions that surprise me.
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Same team selected as last game Tracey, Turpin and DSF in the extended squad.
The game against the Warriors was our best attacking line up, except for Salmon at lock.
Salmon and Marhoney are critical for defence, not so much for attack,
If we are adding Toups to the team, that starting lock probably comes down to Salmon, Marhoney or Turpin.
I was happy with Turpin in the last game against the Broncos, when he started at lock. He made a lot of tackles, hitting guys hard at the start of the match with no missed tackles or errors.
He came off after 30 minutes and didn't come back on, might have been injured.
I am wondering if Marhoney or Turpin is a better starting lock option than Salmon. We need a backup hooker option.
That would allow us to have Mann, 2 middles and Toups on the bench. Toups gives us additional cover in the backrow and in the centres.
We don't want to lose a game in the semis due to a HIA and no good bench replacement.
Turpin is probably just back from injury, but is probably playing reserve grade.
The game against the Warriors was our best attacking line up, except for Salmon at lock.
Salmon and Marhoney are critical for defence, not so much for attack,
If we are adding Toups to the team, that starting lock probably comes down to Salmon, Marhoney or Turpin.
I was happy with Turpin in the last game against the Broncos, when he started at lock. He made a lot of tackles, hitting guys hard at the start of the match with no missed tackles or errors.
He came off after 30 minutes and didn't come back on, might have been injured.
I am wondering if Marhoney or Turpin is a better starting lock option than Salmon. We need a backup hooker option.
That would allow us to have Mann, 2 middles and Toups on the bench. Toups gives us additional cover in the backrow and in the centres.
We don't want to lose a game in the semis due to a HIA and no good bench replacement.
Turpin is probably just back from injury, but is probably playing reserve grade.
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My guesses-
Marhoney starts at lock against the Roosters.
DSF plays off the bench.
Toups plays against the Storm.
Turpin/Salmon and Marhoney play against the Panthers, Hayes or Curran rested..
Turpin starts at lock against the Sharks.
We are premiership favourites by the start of the semis.
All teams including the Roosters have more talent. We are better coached, are fitter, have more depth and have more organisation in attack and defence.
Marhoney starts at lock against the Roosters.
DSF plays off the bench.
Toups plays against the Storm.
Turpin/Salmon and Marhoney play against the Panthers, Hayes or Curran rested..
Turpin starts at lock against the Sharks.
We are premiership favourites by the start of the semis.
All teams including the Roosters have more talent. We are better coached, are fitter, have more depth and have more organisation in attack and defence.
The coach and team are probably thinking like me, we can win it.
Other coaches and teams are thinking the same thing, with the same amount of confidence.
Critter playing at fullback was a revelation. Now we know why Cirro was keen to try it. IMO Tracey can slot in at right centre in the red zone and play a similar role to Xerri. Not all of the time.
Now we at least have plans A and B when attacking the opponent's line.
Other coaches and teams are thinking the same thing, with the same amount of confidence.
Critter playing at fullback was a revelation. Now we know why Cirro was keen to try it. IMO Tracey can slot in at right centre in the red zone and play a similar role to Xerri. Not all of the time.
Now we at least have plans A and B when attacking the opponent's line.
Fitness, skill, execution, desire and smarts impressive in the Storm / Panthers game.
The hope we can cling to is, we move the ball more than both of those teams and the Storm troubled the Panthers when they moved the ball.
Storm depth is even better than our with replacements performing better than our second choice options might.
By beating the Storm next game we might be able to avoid playing them in Melbourne in a semi. I prefer to avoid playing them in week 1, but we might not be that lucky.
It is a shame that Golden Point didn't go the full 10 mins with the game ending in a draw. Hopefully that game took something out of them.
The Chooks game is no walk in the park and it might take plenty out of us.
This season is definitely a step forward from last season, regardless of what happens from here.
The hope we can cling to is, we move the ball more than both of those teams and the Storm troubled the Panthers when they moved the ball.
Storm depth is even better than our with replacements performing better than our second choice options might.
By beating the Storm next game we might be able to avoid playing them in Melbourne in a semi. I prefer to avoid playing them in week 1, but we might not be that lucky.
It is a shame that Golden Point didn't go the full 10 mins with the game ending in a draw. Hopefully that game took something out of them.
The Chooks game is no walk in the park and it might take plenty out of us.
This season is definitely a step forward from last season, regardless of what happens from here.
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CHN is apparently ok to play footy now and is coming to the Dogs on a train and trial basis.
A pretty good like-for-like replacement for Toups, I think that the club will give him every opportunity and he will probably make the grade eventually.
The squad, in particular the forwards, will be much stronger next season.
If we don't win it this year, we might learn what it will take to win it.
Our lowish injury toll and well drilled team gives us a shot this year.
We may know more after we play the Roosters, but we will really know after we play the Storm.
A pretty good like-for-like replacement for Toups, I think that the club will give him every opportunity and he will probably make the grade eventually.
The squad, in particular the forwards, will be much stronger next season.
If we don't win it this year, we might learn what it will take to win it.
Our lowish injury toll and well drilled team gives us a shot this year.
We may know more after we play the Roosters, but we will really know after we play the Storm.
Going to be a tough game tonight I don't think we've beaten the Roosters twice in one year for a while The Roosters will be all out for this win.
Is Connor Tracy coming back? There's rumours he might be playing tonight.?
Glad to see the Panthers lose Anyone to win the premiership but those guys
I'm hoping Clearys luck has run out. The guy has been very lucky great player but has been very lucky as well.
Is Connor Tracy coming back? There's rumours he might be playing tonight.?
Glad to see the Panthers lose Anyone to win the premiership but those guys
I'm hoping Clearys luck has run out. The guy has been very lucky great player but has been very lucky as well.
Just dropped balls and penalties. We need to learn how to play a game like this. The Roosters were up fast, it is hard to combat a skinny 10 in the wet.
Disappointing. I still think that we have what it takes if we keep the error rate down.
IMO the coach is mostly making the right calls, we need to adapt to fast moving physical defence and slippery conditions.
Disappointing. I still think that we have what it takes if we keep the error rate down.
IMO the coach is mostly making the right calls, we need to adapt to fast moving physical defence and slippery conditions.
Need to win at least one of the next three to cement the top 4 , forget about top 2 ,
I say Melbourne will be hard to beat as they had the edge last few seasons . Penrith and Sharks winnable . Need good wins to take confidence into the Finals ..
I agree with everything Cirro said in the Presser.
After the last 3 weeks Manly-Tigers-Warriors, I expected a better performance.
I am glad Cirro has identified that we need some changes to team.
Cirro mentioned Toups, Montoya and Turpin as guys that could come in. I would add Todd to that list.
My sister asked me after the Manly win if I was going to fly down to Sydney for the GF. If we beat Melbourne in Melbourne, I will book flights.
Rinakama is a bit young, I have some reservations about Montoya, but no one can question his commitment and intensity.
I am glad Cirro has identified the players that he probably needs to drop.
Yes, I think that we can still beat Melbourne in Melbourne, but only when playing to 100% of our ability focused, fully committed and energetic for the full 80.
I believe in squad rotation, players that are dropped will be better after a bit of rest and recovery.
My analysis of the game was that we drifted out of it after King and Hughes went off.
When Whyte drove Galvin backwards it was particularly telling that other players were slow to arrive to help Galvin. Galvin probably needed to do a better job, but there is a limit to what a young half can do.
After that Cirro replaced Mann with Marhoney, Mann only played 28 minutes with a 10 minute break in the middle.
If is worth trying Turpin as a replacement for Mann, Salmon or Marhoney against the Storm.
I would go with Turpin starting at lock and Marhoney on the bench.
But Salmon starting and Turpin or Marhoney on the bench might also be OK. Even if Mann just misses the Storm game, that might be enough to get him in better shape.
We probably need to rest one out of Hayes or Curran.
IMO omit Tuala, Salmon/Marhoney, Mann and Hayes/Curran.
Add Montoya, Turpin, Toups and Todd/DSF.
Some of the guys that get a rest against the Storm might come back against the Panthers. And players will know what the required standard is.
Cirro has to roll the dice, nothing to lose. What we served up against the Chooks would not beat any team in a semi.
Tuala was good on the wing against the Warriors, but 3 trys for the opposition winger says plenty.
Mann stopped moving on a number of plays, including the first Whyte try. EDIT: This comment might have been a bit harsh, all of our players stopped. Normally I would expect more scramble.
Curran lots of energy, but also dropped off a few tackles, made a couple of errors and conceded penalties.
Mann, Curran and Hayes also did some good things at times.
A few tight 50-50s and perhaps even a couple of wrong decisions went against us, but that can happen in any game.
When Whyte drove Galvin backwards it was particularly telling that other players were slow to arrive to help Galvin. Galvin probably needed to do a better job, but there is a limit to what a young half can do.
After that Cirro replaced Mann with Marhoney, Mann only played 28 minutes with a 10 minute break in the middle.
If is worth trying Turpin as a replacement for Mann, Salmon or Marhoney against the Storm.
I would go with Turpin starting at lock and Marhoney on the bench.
But Salmon starting and Turpin or Marhoney on the bench might also be OK. Even if Mann just misses the Storm game, that might be enough to get him in better shape.
We probably need to rest one out of Hayes or Curran.
IMO omit Tuala, Salmon/Marhoney, Mann and Hayes/Curran.
Add Montoya, Turpin, Toups and Todd/DSF.
Some of the guys that get a rest against the Storm might come back against the Panthers. And players will know what the required standard is.
Cirro has to roll the dice, nothing to lose. What we served up against the Chooks would not beat any team in a semi.
Tuala was good on the wing against the Warriors, but 3 trys for the opposition winger says plenty.
Mann stopped moving on a number of plays, including the first Whyte try. EDIT: This comment might have been a bit harsh, all of our players stopped. Normally I would expect more scramble.
Curran lots of energy, but also dropped off a few tackles, made a couple of errors and conceded penalties.
Mann, Curran and Hayes also did some good things at times.
A few tight 50-50s and perhaps even a couple of wrong decisions went against us, but that can happen in any game.
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