Bulldogs could switch Brett Morris to No.1 with Will Hopoate to miss two finals matches on Sundays

PRESSURE is mounting on Des Hasler to switch Brett Morris to No.1 with William Hopoate to miss as many as two final’s matches because of his religion.

PRESSURE is mounting on Des Hasler to switch Brett Morris to No.1, with William Hopoate to miss as many as two finals matches because of his religiously motivated refusal to play on Sundays.

With the Bulldogs cementing their place in the top four with a golden point get-out-of-jail win against the Sea Eagles on Thursday night, Canterbury are facing the prospect of playing without their first choice fullback in both a semi final and the grand final.

Morris this week declared he would be ready to step up and cover for Hopoate at No.1 — even if he was thrown in cold for the biggest match of the year.

Brett Morris is ready for a change of the Bulldogs need it.

“I’m not too worried if I get moved straight in for a big game,’’ Morris said.

“I played pretty much the whole season there last year so it is not something that worries me too much. We also have Sam Perett there that can slot in. If we were to play a Sunday game and that was to happen then there are options there and whoever Des picks will be more than comfortable by the time the game comes around.

“Even if it is a grand final I will be happy to do what is best for the team.’’

The Bulldogs could play a Sunday match in the first week of the finals before a series of Friday and Saturday night games will allow devout Mormon Hopoate to play.

But the season’s biggest game is played on a Sunday, leaving Morris facing a pressure-cooker shift to the back unless Hasler makes a positional switch before the finals.

Hopoate has played State of Origin football for NSW at both centre and on the wing.

“If that was the case then so be it,’’ Morris said. “I am not sure what Hoppa would do if we did make the grand final.

“I would kind of expect him to play. I am pretty sure he played a grand final on a Sunday earlier in his career. But that is up to him and as a team we will all support his decision no matter what it is. We will just have to get on with it.’’

Morris said he is happy to play on the wing despite the prospect of being given more attacking opportunities at the back.

Hopoate decision is something to Bulldogs have had to learn to manage.

“I don’t really have a preference about position to be honest,’’ Morris said.

“I have never really been too worried about where I play. I have played a lot in both positions so for me it is really just about what is the best fit for the team. That is something that is up to the coaching staff and I will leave that decision to them.’’

Morris said he was not put on the wing to allow him to ease back into the NRL following a six month injury..

“I don’t think it was about easing me back in,’’ Morris said.

“I think Hoppa was just playing really good footy so it was hard to move him. I spouse with the training load it was a bit better coming back on the wing because there is less running to do at training. That helped me a bit but they are all decisions made by the coaching stuff and as I said it is out of my hands. I will play where ever.’’

Originally published as Bulldogs could switch Brett Morris to No.1 with Will Hopoate to miss two finals matches on Sundays