KG666

Just another Doggies Tragic.


I wrote this recently to an old schoolmate and thought I'd share it with you.

Barrett is a decent-enough Head Coach for now - he’s got all the certificates, spits all the right cliches and was a decent player to boot. Plus he has all the resources he needs to support him.

The modern comp - with new rules, makes this a very different game and a wide gulf is emerging between clubs.

We are seeing the rise of “Juggernaut Clubs" - huge mobile forwards, electrifying backs, strong “D”, great kicking games and dangerous attack from anywhere. They have a winning culture. ie: STORM, PENRITH, SOUTHS, ROOSTERS, RAIDERS, EELS etc

Dogs current squad doesn’t have the hardware, the software, or the culture (at the moment) to compete meaningfully in NRL 2021.

Once they accept this fact, they can then begin to work towards a multi-year plan to become the team with the toughest minds and the biggest hearts.

BACK TO BASICS

1-Actively strengthen the depth and variety of the squad across the park in each position. Plan for injuries in key posistions, especially given the nature of the modern game;

2- Build a gritty culture centred around “competing” for the full 80 minutes. They probably won’t win many matches this year, but they will cause problems by being mentally stronger;

3-Longer term, this new culture/attitude will breed winners and attract the right talent. It’s a slow but steady way to grow our way out of this problem.

I believe it’s a better way than trying to wave a magic wand, expecting instant results. This can only cause frustration.

At the moment they are headless chooks - individual one-off bursts of enthusiasm, defenders running up out of the line in creating gaps. Lack of belief. Lazy footwork exposed by kicks, desperate to score points off every play, worried about being held scoreless etc.

They are not building pressure with their trademark 'Dogs of War' defence that used to intimidate teams in previous eras.

We don’t need to try to replicate the dynasties of 1980-88, 1993-98 or 2002-04 or even 2012-2014.
What we do need is to embrace the reality of this modern game, recruit and develop accordingly and have the medium-term patience/resilience to see through the plan.

Forty odd years of “success” has created a culture of entitlement at the Dogs.
It’s time for them to accept reality, become humble and pretend it’s 1935 again.

Day One. A new era.
Play like there’s nothing to lose.

End of rant!

PS: But if you'd prefer nostalgic time travel, this might cheer you up...

Bulldogs Glory Days Documentary - the 1980s

https://www.nrl.com/tv/shows/documentaries/2020/rugby-league-dynasties-canterbury-bulldogs/