Will EvansBulldogs - 2008 in Review
October 30th 2008 06:48
The Bulldogs are a club that has frequently found itself embroiled in controversy this decade (2002 salary cap rort, 2004 Coffs Harbour scandal), and they have made an art form out putting these distractions behind them to produce results on the field. But the avalanche of unrest at the 'family club' saw season 2008 rapidly unravel, and the Bulldogs were lumped with their first performance-based wooden spoon in 44 years. Before the season even began outspoken international Willie Mason had jumped ship, sparking a war of words between the star forward and Steve Folkes, Malcom Noad and Sonny Bill Williams. But worse was to come. Early in the year Noad lost his CEO post and it was announced 2008 would be Folkes' final season as coach. To his credit, Folkes refused to abandon the sinking ship and stayed out the year in charge. The biggest disruption came in July as SBW skipped the country to take up a French Rugby Union contract without notifying the Bulldogs, sparking one of the biggest controversies the game has witnessed since the Super League war. The Bulldogs were eventually compensated to tune of $700,000, but the blue-and-whites would not win another game in 2008. After winning two of the first three games, they crumbled to record just three wins in the last 21 matches.
The Best: Skipper Andrew Ryan maintained his honest, hardworking standards throughout the season as his club sank around him, leading the club in tackles and metres gained. Departing club veteran Corey Hughes, who brought up 200 first grade games for the 'Dogs during the year, was equally consistent in a struggling outfit. Young outside backs Heka Nanai and Tim Winitana were superb in their first full seasons of first grade, scoring 23 tries between them - a third of the Bulldogs total for the year. SBW carried the side until his abrupt departure.
The Disappointments:Former Australian international Reni Maitua seemed out of sorts and distracted while not injured, and Cowboys-bound centre Willie Tonga was limited to just seven games due to yet another injury. Ben Roberts and Daniel Holdsworth tried hard in the halves all season, but ultimately the lack of direction was one of the Bulldogs major downfalls in 2008.
The Rookies: Probably the most encouraging aspect of a wretched season. Nanai and Winitana had played just four games between them before 2008 and were among the club's best. 18-year old centre Jamal Idris was blooded towards the end of the year and looks an oustanding prospect, underlined by his selection in the Indigenous Dreamtime Team. Big prop Jon Kite should push for a top grade berth in 2009, while halfback Aaron Groom won selection for Fiji. Aaron Taumata was electrifying in attack in five appearances, but found himself in trouble off the field and will relocate to the Storm for next season. Brilliant half Ben Barba was belatedly given a chance in first grade, but the decision by Folkes to hold him back for so long drew criticism - the 'Dogs were floundering and Barba had been killing it in the Toyota Cup. In all, the club used an astounding 10 debutants.
The Recruits:Returning from England, livewire utility Michael Sullivan made just 11 appearances, while forward buys Charlie Leano and Justin Tsoulous had a limited impact.
[U Best Performance:[/U] Beating heavyweights Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium was the pick of their five wins. It was also their last win of the year, and in a cruel irony Sonny Bill Williams was in devastating form.
Worst Performance: Although the SBW fiasco was still raw and in the news, the 56-4 capitulation to fellow also-rans the Tigers was a dark day for the club.
Cliffhangers: The win over Brisbane was a see-sawing affair, with the 'Dogs falling behind on a couple of occasions. They held their nerve however, displaying qualities sadly lacking throughout the season.
Heartbreakers: The Bulldogs held a massive lead over Souths, who surged home to record a 34-30 victory.
2009 Prospects: The club will enter next season with a healthy degree of optimism with a change of coach and a busy foray into the player market. Kevin Moore is highly regarded at the club, and some fresh ideas could be just the tonic after Folkes' decorated 11-year tenure as coach. Brett Kimmorley will provide the direction and stability that was sorely lacking in the halves, fresh from one of the best seasons of his career with Cronulla. Michael Ennis had an outstanding season with Brisbane and shapes as one of the buys of 2009 and a more than capable replacement for Hughes, while another Broncos acquisition in Origin prop Ben Hannant will give the pack some much-needed starch, as will former Titans forward Michael Hodgson. The signing of brilliant Dragons outside back Josh Morris and Yileen Gordon from Souths will shore up the vacancy left by Tonga. A top-eight may be beyond the Bulldogs as the new-look lineup adjusts to each other and a new coach, but they should be able to offload the spoon and secure a mid-table finish.
The Best: Skipper Andrew Ryan maintained his honest, hardworking standards throughout the season as his club sank around him, leading the club in tackles and metres gained. Departing club veteran Corey Hughes, who brought up 200 first grade games for the 'Dogs during the year, was equally consistent in a struggling outfit. Young outside backs Heka Nanai and Tim Winitana were superb in their first full seasons of first grade, scoring 23 tries between them - a third of the Bulldogs total for the year. SBW carried the side until his abrupt departure.
The Disappointments:Former Australian international Reni Maitua seemed out of sorts and distracted while not injured, and Cowboys-bound centre Willie Tonga was limited to just seven games due to yet another injury. Ben Roberts and Daniel Holdsworth tried hard in the halves all season, but ultimately the lack of direction was one of the Bulldogs major downfalls in 2008.
The Rookies: Probably the most encouraging aspect of a wretched season. Nanai and Winitana had played just four games between them before 2008 and were among the club's best. 18-year old centre Jamal Idris was blooded towards the end of the year and looks an oustanding prospect, underlined by his selection in the Indigenous Dreamtime Team. Big prop Jon Kite should push for a top grade berth in 2009, while halfback Aaron Groom won selection for Fiji. Aaron Taumata was electrifying in attack in five appearances, but found himself in trouble off the field and will relocate to the Storm for next season. Brilliant half Ben Barba was belatedly given a chance in first grade, but the decision by Folkes to hold him back for so long drew criticism - the 'Dogs were floundering and Barba had been killing it in the Toyota Cup. In all, the club used an astounding 10 debutants.
The Recruits:Returning from England, livewire utility Michael Sullivan made just 11 appearances, while forward buys Charlie Leano and Justin Tsoulous had a limited impact.
[U Best Performance:[/U] Beating heavyweights Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium was the pick of their five wins. It was also their last win of the year, and in a cruel irony Sonny Bill Williams was in devastating form.
Worst Performance: Although the SBW fiasco was still raw and in the news, the 56-4 capitulation to fellow also-rans the Tigers was a dark day for the club.
Cliffhangers: The win over Brisbane was a see-sawing affair, with the 'Dogs falling behind on a couple of occasions. They held their nerve however, displaying qualities sadly lacking throughout the season.
Heartbreakers: The Bulldogs held a massive lead over Souths, who surged home to record a 34-30 victory.
2009 Prospects: The club will enter next season with a healthy degree of optimism with a change of coach and a busy foray into the player market. Kevin Moore is highly regarded at the club, and some fresh ideas could be just the tonic after Folkes' decorated 11-year tenure as coach. Brett Kimmorley will provide the direction and stability that was sorely lacking in the halves, fresh from one of the best seasons of his career with Cronulla. Michael Ennis had an outstanding season with Brisbane and shapes as one of the buys of 2009 and a more than capable replacement for Hughes, while another Broncos acquisition in Origin prop Ben Hannant will give the pack some much-needed starch, as will former Titans forward Michael Hodgson. The signing of brilliant Dragons outside back Josh Morris and Yileen Gordon from Souths will shore up the vacancy left by Tonga. A top-eight may be beyond the Bulldogs as the new-look lineup adjusts to each other and a new coach, but they should be able to offload the spoon and secure a mid-table finish.
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