The biggest takeaway for me is a positive, the halves playing together.

Looked rusty, did nothing most of the time but our try and disallowed was on the back of it along with a few other half breaks.

I think it’ll be best for Averillo, as he only has to think about either running or giving it to Burton. And I think it’s best for Burton to get it two wide with a bit more space.

But… now they have to start doing it both sides of the field, if they’re only going to do it on the left it’ll get old real quick and picked off with ease. Alternatively split left and right half the time. Best would be both - split half the time, play together BOTH sides the rest.

Anyway, it was something different and sorta worked.

Im less than a quarter as disgusted by our performance as i am by the performance of some needy 'participants'...

U make me wanna vomit... 

We look too underdone for round 1....
I had more hope going into games against Penrith and Storm last year....
In fact im scared of round 1. 

I only got to see the highlights and from what I saw, Okenbor should go back to reggies and learn how to play rugby league.

I hear you and agree the disallowed try was actually one of the best ive seen from us in years... shame we got called for obstruction but correct call.

Further to your post, if we have Avo floating from left to right, he can link with both Burton on left or Dufty on right.

If like to see Schoup run diagonal lines like Naden did on that play. It allows Dufty to find him with a short ball, inside ball or use him as decoy and either go himself or cut out to winger.

What i dont want to see is us taking a settler on 4th tackle just so we get to our last tackle kick play. 

The opposition must get a breather when we have the ball.....

He's got some mates.
I don't know if coaching can insert a brain. TPJ needs one or he'll just be a liability. We already have a couple walking the tightrope, we don't need anymore.

I can't disagree with you on that one. TPJ is a bit if a hot-head and needs to take a deep breath and think.

I think the plan is to have Avo control the teams direction. He did look good in doing so and might surprise a few people. Burto on the left and Dufty on the right. Both have great running, kicking and late passing games. This gives Avo a specific role with the only variety being which side to pass. 

Baz has the team and it may take a while to get the attack perfect. Defensively however we look terrible. And I don’t think he knows how to improve that. I would be surprised if Baz lasts out his contract. 

Im still concerned with the attack. Its still dysfunctional and just wrong inside the opposition 20m. 

Forwards should be decoys 70% of the time, yet they receive the ball nearly 80% of the time. This must change. It will next year with Reed, but there is no reason why we cant change that THIS year. If that means piss JMK out of the team - so be it.
Wakeham looked 10 times the better hooker last night. His unpredictability even had our own players on their toes.

Dman2018 BDP participant

Who is our D coach???...

Is BBO or Wakes our 14???... I'm in favour of the former...

Whoever decided that RED was apart of the Bulldogs jersey in any way is wrong - even the letters - it just doesn't fit!!

The attack looked fine to me, I was pleased with the intent and how hard the forwards ran.
The halves looked way better than anything dished up in the last 5 years.

As I expected TPJ was ordinary in defence, Hethro was worse than expected  and Dufty was a turnstyle.

I would change the stsrtimg hooker and possibly the fullback.

TPJ and Hethro just need to run hard in attack, stop the brain explosions and switch on in defence.

Sharks played well and it was a willing contest.

The differnce was dropped balls and dumb penalties from us followed up by some lapses in defence.

A couple of the Sharks tries were well executed, but 3 were soft.

Dropping balls, giving away dumb penalties and conceding soft tries surpisingly isn't a forumla for winning.

Had we not done all that, it is a close game maybe 18-12 either way.

It is good for the coach and players to have a reality check, all these things need to be improved and can be improved.

Same excuses every week

That is my concern, players like TPJ and Dufty were always going to be a double-edged sword.

But in this situation Bennett, Bellamy, Robinson or the Wok would fix the defence. In fact the defence would be right for round 1.

I think Baz can coach the attack, but the attack is fine, especially with this team. Defence is the slippery slope.
Repeat the dropped balls, penalties and soft defence, the only chance of winning is if the opposition is equally bad.

Baz doesn't have an excuse this year, and definitely not after round 8.

That is beuase they keep doing the same dumb things.

But some of the defence in the Sharks game was even worse than last season.

I was happy enough with the attack too, I wouldn’t say “fine” but I would say at least there’s something to build on which hasn’t been there for seasons. I really think getting Burton to 2nd receiver is gonna work much better for him even in a playmaking role, and it gives the #7 wether it be Avo or whoever a much simpler role - run or give it to Burton.

As for defence, Gus said something insightful in one of them vids about how defence comes from players playing together, trusting the bloke next to them and knowing what they’re gonna do instinctively.

All across the park we have blokes who haven’t played with the bloke next to them on one side, most of them on both sides. So of course this is gonna take time. Marki mentioned they looked like a bunch of strangers the other day - that’s because they are.

Now given time the defence will either fix itself with time, or it won’t and then we know we got structural issues but you can’t say that yet. And of course there’s individuals with technique issues who’ll either have to fix themselves or move on.

Dufty being the prime suspect there. Can’t have him grasping at arms on the tryline. He either finds some courage or I suggest this is his one and only season in Bulldog colours.

Simple for our #7 = simple for the defence..

I think you overstate how much the forwards are involved in our team compared to others. Most coaches would hope for two backline movements and two direct plays from the forwards. Spreading the ball from one side of the field to the other on every play is of little use on every play. Players need time to get into position. So you need a few settlers. 

Agreed. Bring back Hasler 😉

I did exagerrate abit but what i meant was that other teams (the good teams) are thinking 2 plays ahead at the minimum. 

If they go wide on a play, they already have the next play panned. They dont look for forwards to settle the play. The settler run is a run you do when there is chaos and you just need afew more seconds to bark instructions for the rest of the set.

WE, use it as our GO-TO play.
Its stupid, ineffective and when we do it on the 4th tackle, we are effectively wasting 2 tackles coz the defence knows they just have to aim up on the wings on last tackle - which they duly do unless our kick is spot on.

Im not saying it doesnt have its place. But it needs to be used at the right time and its only useful if you have mapped out the next couple of plays.

JMK and the halves have alot to answer for.

Its the reason i think we are better off with Wakeham at halfback, Avo or Burton (yes Burton) in the centres, and a Cook / BBO hooker rotation.

Who plays #6?

Burton FULLSTOP Marki has lot his marbles. I think Avo will do a decent job at halfback. 

Marki is right in that Wakeham is a candidate for the halves.

Fullback - Avacado, Credence or Casey are the options...

Dufty - I'm very happy with his attack and very unhappy with his defence.
Plan  A - try to improve Dufty maybe 3 games depending on how he goes, if no improvement after 3, try plan B.

I think plan B particularly Averillo or Credence can perhaps  match what Dufty offers and back it up with better defence.

My big problem with Dufty is yardage and defence, sometimes he doesn't seem to be making an effort.

If the side doesn't improve by say round 3. 1, Averillo 7. Wakeham is worth a shoy, also becuase that combination can play well together.

My biggest gripe with Baz last season was he stuck with Flanno, Katoa and a few others for far too long.

Anyway one good win will be all it takes for us to claim we never had any doubts 😁

I was suggesting either Averillo or Burton plays centre with the other at #6.

Would have to be Avo at centre, even though Burton is the better player in that positioni. In fact he is the better #6 and centre. 

Its so vital we win at least 1 of the first 2 games, otherwise the deck chairs might be moved as Barrett comes under pressure.

For this year Wakeham should be a chance. But I think Avo is the best option. 

Agreed. Winning the first two games ensures team stability. We need Avo and Burto to build a good combination. That takes time. No use moving them now. Next year with Reed they will all be much better for it. Give them time

9. JMK I would also consider Cook.
17. Stimpson- should be Topine, Doorey or RFM.
IMO Stimson is a 3rd choice selection. Not bad, just average.

Our problem is TPJ will miss plenty of tackles in the front line, and Dufty may as well sit on the sideline when we are defending. Someone like Topine would stiffen up the defence.

In fact I would start Topine and put TPJ on the bench. Theory being after 20-30 TPJ will make a difference.

If the coach has to pick players in certain starting positions due to salary/ego, that is a receipe for failure.

In making these comments, I'm not surpised, but I would like to be surprised by the team defending better than last season, attack is 2-3 rungs up the ladder compared to last season.