Bulldogs have the foundation needed to succeed in season 2019
Wooden spoon favourites or underestimated battlers? Former Bulldog Braith Anasta reckons Canterbury might have the firepower to surprise everyone this season.
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To the bookies, Canterbury are short-priced favourites for the wooden spoon. To Braith Anasta, they are a club with a “lion heart”.
The former Bulldog believes the Belmore side, under the guidance of coach Dean Pay, has the manpower to defy the critics in 2019.
According to Fox Sports Lab, the Bulldogs made the third fewest errors (9.8 per game), conceded the fewest penalties (6.9 per game) and had the second best completion rate (78.3 per cent per game) in the competition last year.
Despite the favourable numbers they failed to create or turn opportunities into points. But Fox League commentator, Anasta said the lack of points should not be viewed as an indictment on Pay’s ability as a coach.
“It’s unfair that Dean Pay should be under any pressure to start the year because they are well coached, they are well disciplined and if you look at the club they have the heart of a lion,” he said.
“A lot of their losses last year were eight points or less. They’re bull terriers.
“They just lacked a bit of class and finesse. They lacked that x-factor and didn’t have the fire power other clubs have got.”
Anasta believes the discipline shown by the Bulldogs in 2018 is a perfect foundation to build their attack on in season 2019.
“It’s a good base for them if they can continue to go along with those statistics, so they need to do the same again,” he said.
“They have to complete their sets and give themselves the opportunity. But I also think they need to take more risks. With Foran back that gives them more fire power if they continue to complete.”
Kieran Foran, who is making a comeback from a toe injury, will return as the side’s five-eighth after playing at halfback last year.
Young gun Lachlan Lewis will wear the No.7 on his back when the Bulldogs take on the Warriors in New Zealand. It’s a moved designed to allow Foran to drive Pay’s attack and Lewis to take on more of the game management.
“That switch says that they need an experienced player like Foran to generate try scoring opportunities. Someone who has delivered on the biggest stage, delivered under pressure and can come up with lethal plays when it counts,” Anasta said.
“Lachy has a really good kicking game so that makes sense for him to take control, he just has to worry about executing the sets and getting his side to the right spots on the field.”
Anasta is also backing new forward recruit Dylan Napa to make an immediate impact not only on the field but with the Canterbury faithful.
“He’s the fittest I’ve ever seen him. Dylan is tough, he’s an enforcer. He really suits the Bulldogs style. The fans will love Dylan.”
Originally published as Bulldogs have the foundation needed to succeed in season 2019
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