2022 season review: 'Massive turnaround' triggered by big coach call

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https://wwos.nine.com.au/nrl/news-canterbury-bankstown-bulldogs-2022-season-review-the-mole/1f3643b5-d8f3-46fb-9f1c-8d48e666c8c9?ocid=Social-NRLFS

The Bulldogs improved remarkably when they sent Trent Barrett packing mid-season and brought in club favourite Mick Potter as a coach. They became more competitive, played exciting attacking football and were no longer a 'soft touch' when up against the stronger clubs in the NRL.

But bottom line - they missed the finals for a sixth straight season - their worst run since the 1960s. A poor start under Barrett meant they were never even in the race for a finals berth despite the massive turnaround when Potter moved in.

Matt Burton and Josh Addo-Carr proved inspired signings and the club has again been active in the transfer market, coming up with a couple of game-breaking forwards in Reed Mahoney and Viliame Kikau for 2023.

With Cameron Ciraldo coming in as head coach, it looks to be an exciting time at Belmore over the next few seasons.

Best player: Matt Burton had a magnificent first season at Belmore, playing every game and terrifying rival fullbacks and wingers with his towering kicks. The 22-year-old set up a host of tries with his smart running and passing game as well.

Biggest disappointment: Englishman Luke Thompson is one of the highest-paid players on the Bulldogs' roster but injuries and personal issues restricted him to just 13 games without a single try.

Key signing: Reed Mahoney is as good as just about any hooker running around in the game and his smart work from dummyhalf will get the Bulldogs going forward through the ruck.

Gains: Viliame Kikau (Panthers), Reed Mahoney (Eels), Ryan Sutton (Raiders).

Losses: Jeremy Marshall-King (Dolphins), Jack Hetherington (Newcastle), Paul Vaughan (Warrington).

 

[spiritofaslan]

Have to agree with all of that, with the exception of Biggest Disappointment. Can't really say Thommo was a disappointment because of family emergencies and injuries.

For me biggest disappointment would have to be Matt Dufty or Corey Allen. Dufty left through his first season with us and didn't get involved in defence at all. Allen played a handful of games then got injured and never returned (even in NSW Cup). Okunbor would be up there as well. His fall from grace to NSW Cup is pretty sad really.

Be interesting to see if Ciraldo can reignite something in Okunbor, and get him back to first grade, but he has heaps of competition pulling ahead of him now.

 

[Captain Ibis]

I feel like when anybody talks about Thompson they are factoring in his contract, and fair enough, but he's always one of our better players when he is on the field, let's just hope that's more often next year!

Dufty seems like he just loves playing the game but isn't hugely invested in giving every bit of energy to make something happen.. At least in the UK he can enjoy his footy a bit more.

yeah Okunbor is blessed genes wise and he looks like he works pretty hard, but he needs a coach who can really fix up his attention to detail.

 

[spiritofaslan]

Dufty seems like he just loves playing the game but isn't hugely invested in giving every bit of energy to make something happen.. At least in the UK he can enjoy his footy a bit more.

Dufty would be the perfect touch football / tag football player. It's almost like he tries to avoid contact because he's scared of getting injured (and Averillo shows that a little as well).

Okunbors trajectory at present is very much like Idris. Potential is there, but he just lacks the drive to polish his game. I'm actually amazed nobody has tried him in the second row yet.

 

[Captain Ibis]

Dufty would be the perfect touch football / tag football player. It's almost like he tries to avoid contact because he's scared of getting injured (and Averillo shows that a little as well).

Okunbors trajectory at present is very much like Idris. Potential is there, but he just lacks the drive to polish his game. I'm actually amazed nobody has tried him in the second row yet.

100% he would. I think Jake will play more aggressively when there's something on the line.. he might still have niggles.

I've always thought that, I mean he ran over the top of Cam Smith twice.. if you can fire him up every week he's definitely got the physical presence to be effective. And in the second row he wouldn't get caught out as much in defence I wouldn't think.

 

[spiritofaslan]

In second row with a good defending centre outside and a good defending prop inside him, he'd be forced to stay in his spot. His height would be decent for contesting kicks for both centre/winger/fullback overlaps as well.

Averillo needs to speak with Meaney (imagine how well Meaney would go with this side), and realise how Meaney now attacks the ball. Or Tedesco. Averillo with some polish and aggression in attacking the ball, could take the same trajectory Ben Barba did, as the potential is there (pace and bal playing).

 

[Captain Ibis]

In second row with a good defending centre outside and a good defending prop inside him, he'd be forced to stay in his spot. His height would be decent for contesting kicks for both centre/winger/fullback overlaps as well.

Averillo needs to speak with Meaney (imagine how well Meaney would go with this side), and realise how Meaney now attacks the ball. Or Tedesco. Averillo with some polish and aggression in attacking the ball, could take the same trajectory Ben Barba did, as the potential is there (pace and bal playing).

Apparently his inspiration is Teddy, so hopefully he watches a bit of footage over the pre-season.

Edwards would be another one to study.