I think your argument is off here mate. What players in our reserves are on big money? What team isn’t paying decent money to their reserves? And more importantly, we tried to sign Shaun Johnson, Mitchell Moses and Jerome Luai all for big money. We just missed out on all. 

You know, I don’t think there’s much chance of Sexton playing NRL this season except maybe the odd game covering injury.

Sexton has a consistent problem. In hindsight he had the same problem at The Titans. He comes onto the scene, everyone thinks he’s a career NRL #7, then he fades, is dropped and eventually shopped out of the club.

Red flag right there, which I’m sure both Gus and Ciro were aware of a the underlying problem, but they thought he was fixable so took the punt.

And first few games for us he again looked every inch a career NRL #7, particularly the 2nd from memory, but then he just fades away, has an appalling end to season seemingly getting less effective every game. Which I know we did as a team too, he wasn’t alone - but we got rid of most of his mediocre mates didn’t we.

So new season, new start. Now I don’t watch much Reggies but I read anything I can on them, and all reports are just more of the same from Sexton. One or two games in succession where he looks like a career NRL #7, then the same where he looks like a park footballer.

And there is the consistent problem with Sexton - inconsistency.

And I think it’s now too late for him to force his way into this team this season. Say he has blinders the next three games in Reggies, would you trust him to take that form into NRL for another three? How about another six? Do you think Ciro would?

Hutch does not have the talent Sexton has, that’s undeniable, but what he does bring to the team he brings every week. If he has a below Hutch standard game he doesn’t have a below Hutch standard game the following week. At least a game plan can be built around knowing what you get from Hutch, which we have done and which atm is working.

I reckon if there’s a long term injury to Hutch or Burton Ciro would look elsewhere, possibly Haywood. One or two games he could look to Sexton but I really think that’s where he’s at.

Too late to save his career at The Dogs, I think he’s gone seasons end and if I were his manager I’d take him to SL for 2-3 seasons to find some consistency and then come back to The NRL.

And btw btw, Burton has been in tremendous form. Playing like you asked him to and playing like you asked him to on both sides of the field.

Wouldn’t replace him with anyone else, wouldn’t play him anywhere else.

Things may or may not change in the future, but right here right now Burton is Bulldogs #6 end of.

Hes been in good form.
Its mainly due to him understanding early ball to Kikau is better than short ball to Kikau. 

In fact its quite clear when you watch our halves play that they have been instructed (by CC and no doubt Taylor) to get the ball early to the edges and centres. Its why we have improved alot in attack. 

There will come a time however that creativity in the halves will be needed for us to become a mainstay in the top 8 and push towards top 4. 

And i just dont think he has it.

But maybe we only need a top shelf halfback for that.....

It is harder on our right side, neither Salmon or Preston is as dangerous as Kiks.

Preston is the better attacking weapon, but he needs to form a good understanding with the half who has to throw him a short pass. Best early ball option that side is early ball to Chricton because he can commit two defenders or pass to  a sweeping Tracey/ Taaffe. 

I compare Burton to Munster, similar sorts of players but Munster just has a bit more drive and takes bigger risks. Some of the risks Munster takes pay off.

To complement Burton we need a Sherwin style halfback and a Kiks style backrower.

O'Neill is very good.

I thought Hayward was our future halfback until I saw O'Neill, there is something about the way O'Neill passes the ball that is unique.  I've seen more good passes from O'Neill on the left, and I also saw some good passes and kicks from Hayward on the left.

These days Burton seems to pass just as well on the right.

Will not be surprised if O'Neill is great on the right, I just don't remember seeing it. 

Anyway Gus and CC have this in hand.

We will not need to wait long for the answer on Sexton. 

Where my opinion differs from Zef is he may be working on something in reserve grade and the problem might be fixed.

The other issue is Salary Cap, O'Neill is off contract most clubs know how good he is. We are going to need to make him a fair offer just to keep him, perhaps even a bit more than fair. That money has to come from somewhere and Sexton is off contract. 

So even if they are fairly happy with Sexton it might just come down to Salary Cap. I think when we signed Hutch that was always a possibility. 

I can tell that the team is looking forward to testing themselves against the Panthers.

Like me the team knows that this will be a tough game.

We may win or the game may tell us where we need to improve.

My ideal result is a win, with a few things that we need to improve revealed.

Challenges for us-

1) Size, power and hard running of the Panthers side, we need the linespeed, and contact to be up to the task. 

2) LInespeed of the Panthers.

3) fitness and going the full 80 in an intense game.

4) kicking game and kick chase. 

One area where we have an edge is height on the wings, particularly Kiraz.
I would like to see a well executed try off a kick.

Panthers will be up for it, they will want to beat Critter and Kiks.

What do I expect?

I am hoping that it is a close game and we edge ahead with superior execution, tries from kicks, fewer errors, going the distance in the grind.

We can't afford to let them get on top, if they are in a winning position, I can't see them giving us a chance, especially at the back end.

We might learn a lot this game - Go Dogs.

I am no coach and don't pretend to be one. Just as an observation from a passionate supporter, the team would not suffer if CC put Tracey at FB, moved Taaffe to HB, Hutch to Lock and Salmon to bench or cup. The right side is solid with Critta and Kiraz, though the left side looks a litte fragile in defence with Fox being out of position a lot looking for that elusive intercept and is susceptible to injury. Looking into the future, should Burto and Fox be selected for SOO duties, it would be easy to slot Wilson in on the wing and give Sexy the 7 and move Taaffe to 6. Just sayin'.

Our left side is set. No worries there. At least for a while. 

No to going market... 

Look. I’m the biggest fan of Woods. I believe he will be out next Thurston. But I have heard that says and thought that about many of our players. Robert’s and Mbye come to mine. So many others who didn’t make it. 

You missed the challenge of refs allowing the panfers to twist every single tackled player around so they are facing their own goal no matter how long it takes after helps is called ..

Look. I’m the biggest fan of Woods. I believe he will be out next Thurston. But I have heard that says and thought that about many of our players. Robert’s and Mbye come to mine. So many others who didn’t make it. 

Agreed.
This myth of needing 50 or more games to prove yourself is nothing but a myth.

50 games is 2 years. If you haven't showed something in those 2 years - you arent worth the gamble in persisting with.

Only saw the second half,  but the Fins halves out played DCE and Brooks.

DCE went missing badly when the game was in the balance.

The Bennett effect

Young Fins half Katoa is a gun, lands his kicks in great areas, slick passer, makes good decisions only 20 years old.

Good effort so far, Panthers a bit too good so far.

Cleary off injured might help us.

If we win this game I’m a believer. 

Still devoid of 50/50 calls are we?

We are in this contest boys, make no mistake. A couple of errors gave them repeat sets and we couldn't capitalise on our prolonged posession at their end. Both Panfers tries were soft.