He got a lot of first grade time at the Panthers in the last 2 seasons, so he must be able to play.  This is where we miss reserve grade.  These guys are not getting the opportunity to press their claims and their match readiness must be suffering.

Did we really also need to buy Dean Britt and Joe Stimson?

Did they add something we don't already have?

I buy a lot of accessories for my 4X4 but don't need two snorkels, two winches, 4 sets of recovery tracks, 4 fridges (oh hang yeah I do) um 2 lift kits and 12 tyres when I already have them. They are common grunt workers in sand, mud or rocky terrain. Can get ya out of shit but ya don't need more than what ya need.

I would like the best set of spotties money can buy, lets call them the fancy farkin bits... The shiny shit that everyone wants!

Huge spotties take ya that bit further at night....

The tent that takes 30 seconds to erect, is the speed ya need.

We ain't got no shiny shit or that campin gear that takes ya from small barra fishin into the deep holes that hold the big prize!

Most important though is ... who is driving the rig, If i got that wheel and am in shit, my problem, if the misso is driving her problem..

So it comes down to who is driving eh?

A lot of rumors I read that are "In You Endo" but poor old Deano looked like a Sad Poo Emoji as they showed in in the coaches box!

Ya can't drive the same boggy track 4 times doing the same thing, ya get no where! Although I  read all the posts and invite Marki up to Cape York when we are open again (a lot of bito done now but lets get that Jaguar dirty! Real dirty! I will skull drag ya out of any trouble no worries Boris
 
Queenslander! Out

What he said...

Villa 1
Chelsea 2

#DeanSmithOut
#DeanPayOut

Pay selected the wrong team rounds 2-5, that cost us 1 win against the Cows.

Apart from that, his team selection is better than Des, it has taken a while but he is finding the right side.

When Des was here we were very dependent on wrestle to slow down the ruck.

Attscking style wise we played a better style against the Roosters and Foran had a better game. 

Sharks played well Katoa catching the kind of pass that the Sharks dropped previous weeks was a difference.

Mostly we just need to play a bit better becuase in the NRL the opposition rarely plays poorly unless you put pressure on them.

However, we need to decide the coach for 2021 and get on with recruitment.

story on foxsports NRL picture of  north queensland coach paul green off contract as well  &  a picture of bulldogs dean pay off contract as well & the story saying which one 
of these 2  is set 2 follow new zealand warriers sacked coach out the door?  also the story goes on bulldogs powerbrokers  along with the board have a meating thursday night 
but has nothing 2 do with the coach  , maybe it better as the way this team is under perforing with head coach dean pay assistant coach steve anotonnelli & steve georgjarlis along with this guy call mr james so called the attacking skills coach 

From the videos I've seen James knows his stuff, some players are slow learners.

If you look at the evidence our passing and handling has improved in the last 2 years.
Especially if you edit out passes thrown by Lewis and Cogger.

The team isn't underperforming the selected sides are mostly playing to their level of ability.

Selecting Lewis and Cogger in  the halves rounds 3-5 was a mistake.

Not signing a quality 9 was a mistake having CHN and OK sacked simply bad luck.
Tols COVID-19, bad luck, with a below average squad you need good luck and perfect team selection.

hd, you mentioned the loss of CHN, well that one is purely on Hills head. He wanted to play the high moral ground game to impress the V'RLol when none of the other teams that had player issues gave a flying fvck.

Someone in here posted recently that some coaches (take Bellamy for instance) can take a mediocre player and make him half decent. Unfortunately Dean doesn't have that gift and as much as I like him as a person and when he was a player I don't think he is suitable as our head coach. We have some good players in team and need someone to help them show that quality on the field.

Dean wasn’t complaining about the roster when the past few seasons the team finished off the season strongly after poor starts...

if it’s not the roster, it’s putting games under the belts of the young ones, it’s the refs, it’s the injuries.... he’s whinged about everything which he is entitled too.... but the players are not getting better, the same stupid mistakes continue to happen, plan b doesn’t exist, simple catch n pass techniques by the players are horrid etc

we were linked with numerous players last year.... Robson, Api, Ramien, Ese Ese, Carrigan, Turpin..... we needed up with Stimpson, Katoa & Britt which didn’t have a club anyone of them except us.


The Tigers look a vast different team with HD’s mate Harry Grant playing... just 1 player, but fark he makes such a difference to the attack of the Tigers team each time he has the ball.... we’ve been crying out for a decent 9 for YEARS, but we’re still stuck with tackling machines that offer nothing else

It is easier to make an average player into a good player when they are surrounded by a good team.

No problem at all with replacing Pay it is probably what we should do.

But there are probably only 2-3 NRL coaches who are definitely better than Pay, Des is getting better results at Manly with better players.

So first question is who is the new coach?
Bennett's current assistant is good, Bennett is too old and negative IMO and has a track record of wrecking struggling clubs... we probably are not getting any of the top 3 coaches.

They need to interview candidates and let them pitch for the job. We need to know what their plans are, what players they want and who they want for assistant coach.

The other option is appoint someone like Hook as player development coach and mentor to Pay. Give Pay one more year with more talent and more help but let Hook have a heavy input into recruitment.

Not my call the board has the job, but fans need to be realistic the top 3 coaches, Bellamy, Robinson and whoever are not going a anywhere.  Any coach with a team in the top 8 isn't going anywhere.
Ex-NRL coaches in the sidelines are the most likely option.

For example, a lot of Paul Green's success was due to having Johnathan Thurston.

I could coach a side with Thurston, Joey Johns, Tedesco and Cam Smith.

Actually.....we are stuck with the tackling machine philosophy and doesnt matter who plays at hooker, we will make them play out way.

Change our ways and we may improve.

Dont wanna change? Then accept a position of 12th-16th every year

Last night was a breath of fresh air with Holland at hooker. Not saying he is the answer, but it was evident what an unpredictable player in the hooking role can do to the mindset of the defence.

#NoDronesAtHooker

I like any coach that can go on NRL360 or any other footy show and break down or strategize a game for all to see.

The ones that cant even articulate their thoughts dont fill me with any confidence that they can get the best out of a bunch of footy players with varying personalities.

The ones that choose to not reveal tactics also tells me they dont have progressive thoughts to develop over the years.

Even as coach, you can't be a one trick pony. You have to know the strengths and weaknesses of your gameplan, know the oppositions gameplan and make necessary adjustments each weak to give you the edge. 

You also have to keep your players motivated and have trust in that they can either stick to the gameplan or switch at a whim. We have none of that. Some of you think we are 1 or 2 players from being competitive. Its rubbish. We are 1 or 2 players from maybe winning 1 or 2 games more. That's not competitive. 

We need to get the right coach to keep the players that have got it and make the hard decisions. He may not even be the coach in 5 years. But he needs to be better than Pay. We dont have to think of this as a 10 year investment. First job is to rebuild the roster to top 8 standard. We can then get the new coach and final 3 or 4 players that get us to GF contenders.

Need to move up 2-4 rungs first before we of final rung

Not too worried about getting a new coach, in fact it is the right move...

But the facts are our squad is lacking quality in 2 or 3 very important positions, mostly notably hooker and fullback, but more generally lacking depth an quality across the board...  What we do have is talented young players, Averillo and Wakeham, class in Foran who might not hang around, and guys that put in every minute of every game, most of the squad lead, by Jacko, Elliott, DWZ and Hoppa...

Hypothetically throw in Smith (currently injured), Tolman (for defence), Thompson, Tedesco and Grant  we win most games regardless of who the opposition is, throw in a big prop  forward who makes yards and get offloads...   we are even harder to beat...

So for 2021 signing quality players for key positions is vital, a new coach with the same squad will get much the same results,  while Pay is far from perfect, he is good at motivating the team, they turn up and try hard... fight most games for the full 80, that is why we are not missing much...

We need to be careful to get the right coach and stick to a good formula...

Des was under pressure form day 1 at our club,,, that was part of the problem... stick to the process and the outcomes comes along,,,,, focus on the outcome, you forget the process.
 

The major problem is dummy half. JMK not good enough. No vision. Can't number up. Can't find holes and doesn't run anymore. Just shuffles the slow pass out. Get moving out of dummy half a few paces at least. Ask some questions. Pay is truly hopeless at changing our fortunes.

Give Katoa a go. If we're gonna keep loosing, try that at least.

From what I have seen of Katoa he is worse, in defence and attack, the last thing the side needs is the dummy half squandering possession at the attacking end forcing the play... Maybe he needs a chance, but I was unimpressed with his effort in the last trial...

Looking at that game, I would bring Holland on earlier... our backrow all played 80 mins and went fairly well... get some fitter props, we might even be able to use 2 interchanges on the hooker.

I agree JMK isn't what we ideally want, people want to try Katoa because he isn't JMK, but IMO that is a long shot..

Hooker fullback and the halves are vital positions as we are finding out, but we have only had one game with our best halves combination... 

Another option is to drop Averillo back to fullback early in the game when the opposition are coming of their line... if they kick long he will get there faster and make more yards before the defenders arrive and he is dangerous  running the ball, at other times, we want Hoppa at the back.. This might help us with early momentum...

I don't think it matters if Deano can or can't coach anymore. The major issue for '21 and beyond (and only the Board would know this) is if we can attract the players we want rather than just the players we can get.

The Board would know who we've approached and been knocked back and how many of them. If it's not an issue (eg we just haven't approached anyone... yet) then you can look at Deano with a kinder eye, but if we're having trouble getting who we want, then we got to get a coach players want to be coached by - and that's where I think we're at.

And I think it's so crucial at present I'm prepared to backflip 180 and give Bennett his 3 years and then f*** him off after two when we got his replacement (that We want) lined up. He'll bring us who we want for '21 and '22 and at the moment that matters above all else so use him just like he'll use us and if he bottles lightning and jags a Premiership in that time all the better.

And move quick because the selfish old bastard has 3 clubs lined up already so jump all over him before he can play us against each other.... more than he's already doing.

Makes me want to vomit in my mouth but sometimes you got to do what you got to do.

just watching the dean pay post mach interview gee he held his own ,i feel sorry for dean the look on his face answering the jurnos questions , i was also watching 
micheal ennis , evon sampson , & james hooper on fox pre game & hooper was saying along with ennis the bulldogs powerbrokers who are dunn, p mortimer, j thomas , & a few more need 2 sign wayne bennet he will lead them to glory what a statement 

I agree the next coach is important and it is essential to get it right ... but IMO Bennett is playing with fire... it could be like Des but worse...

There are 3 coaches worth getting, Bellamy, Robinson and Brad Arthur we will not get them, but they are guaranteed to leave the joint in better shape..

If a coach is just coming for the money and doesn't care where he coaches, he also doesn't care about leaving the club in good shape... 

Short cuts don't always work, Des was an attempted short cut.. that worked OK for a few years...

I agree being attractive to top shelf players is a box the next coach should tick,but the other reason players come it to play with good players... in our case:-

Foran, Wakeham, Averillo, Tommo,  Renouf T, RFM, Elliott, Hoppa, DWZ, Jacko  - if the new coach is intent on replacing all those guys  or can't work with them we are back square one...

Things in favour of Bennett is he doesn't do total rebuilds... fixes the defence and lets attacking players attack... if he was younger and wasn't after the money I would be more confident... IMO he is a big risk .. Newcastle tells me that...

All depends if we want to go all in on a shot at a premiership in the next 3 years and potentially wind up back at ground zero...

I don't think the current board will give a coach total control as per the Des era, so that will limit who comes... 

No doubt fullback and hooker are the key positions...

Ask a coach who he wants in those positions, then ask those players if they want to play for that coach...

If for example Bennett wants Lattrell at fullback and he is happy to come,  I'm almost over the line....

If he wants Grant or Cook and they are happy to come ... then I'll take the cranky old bastard... because with one or 2 more players we are a shot at the title from day 1. 

While we are talking players, I would definitely sign Milford to play 14,  tell him his role is to come on and win the game in the last 20 mins.. after that he can tell us what position he wants in the starting line up.. he is too good a player to stay in the doldrums for too long.... step 1 is have some fun, win some games and rebuild his confidence.... get him confident and energised,.... he is a different player... but still probably not a half...

Nathan Brown turned his last two clubs from cellar dwellers into decent sides... 

Can attract talent, is young, and doesn't like wearing shoes...

I've got an open mind... who we think can attract talent .. might not be able to get the names they want...

What we need to judge:-
1. Why are they coming?  - Money, Challenge, Something to prove... etc.
2. Who do they want to sign? 
3. Can they get those players?
4. How do they want the side to play?
5. Past results, experience, etc

I have to say Napa was good against the Sharks.... still wish he would up his play the ball speed..

The experience of starting was good for Renouf... we didn't have much ball so his impact on the game was less.

Assuming Tolman and Thompson are available..

Starting forwards - Napa, JMK, Thomson., Jackson, RFM, Elliott.
Bench .Holland, Tolman, Renouf, Sue/Smith...

That is a fairly good line up... this season I think we are mainly playing to build combinations, and give some good young players and Tommo NRL experience..

Loose to the Tigers we need to win something line 9 from 13 to have any chance of scraping into the semis, I hate it when the season ends early, but we are just about shot ducks... 

Only good thing is if we are out of contention, making a call on the coach doesn't impact this season..

facebook , news westigers set 2 offer off contracted bulldogs player keiran foran a contract  micheal mcguire is trying to make beji retire in order 2 make a play for foran & canberra  are in talks already for adam elliett  ,thats what happens when you are slow in tying up players

The secret to dealing with Bennett is to see him for what he is and let him know you see him, much like Souths are doing.

Give him his 3 years and be ready to punt him after two. Use the time to line up the long term coach you want and have him ready. Don't mean you short-shift Bennett, give hjim the players he wants because they're probably the players we want but can't get but make it clear to him all the SC and squad considerations are on his watch - they'll be no 4 year contract with backloads in year 3 @ 4.

Gould had him lined up at Penrith with NIL input to squad recruitment or retention and he would've took it until someone on the board knee-capped Gould to get Cleary just to retain Cleary junior. Bennet was happy with it because Panthers had a Premiership ready squad.

And that's all he's shooting for these days, he's not interested in building clubs, he just wants another Premiership on his resume and move on.

So use it. It'll burn you if you don't know that's what you're getting but if you do and plan around it (give him his team years 1&2 but not after that) you'll get the talent to attract others long after he's gone and he will lift us to top 4 contenders quicker than just about anyone else in the game can.

And in all that is another 180 backflip from me - an interim coach. Bennett being it.

We've got to become a club players want to play at again or we'll fill the middle of the table for a decade plus. We're far from it now and I see no way out of it until we get players that attract other players and those players are attracted by the coach.

"And that's all he's shooting for these days, he's not interested in building clubs, he just wants another Premiership on his resume and move on."

That makes sense, and it can work.... Bennett will know what bits of our team are missing ,, he would walk in the door with right signings and win a comp in 1-2 years as you say ...  or fail .. either way we part company and hopefully the club is still in reasonable shape afterwards..

I hope we retain Elliott and to a lesser extent Foran... we have got money to spend, and a great bunch of guys we are a club on the up... but we do need to get moving with the signings... when players see who is coming... they are more likely to stay. when players see who is staying, or joining, they are more likely to come on board...