Monday Bunker recap: Dire Dogs cap struggles on show in opener

Speaking on Monday Bunker, Buzz Rothfield has expressed his concerns at Canterbury’s poor use of salary cap space on the current squad that was belted by the Warriors in Round 1. WATCH HERE

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Salary cap dramas in past years - largely resulting from poorly constructed backended deals - has Canterbury’s roster in a mess to begin the 2019 season.

The club’s fears came to fruition on Saturday afternoon at the hands of a 40-6 thrashing by the New Zealand Warriors in Auckland.

Speaking on Monday Bunker, Phil Rothfield expressed his concerns at the club’s poor use of salary cap space on the current squad.

WATCH THE FULL DEBATE IN THE VIDEO PLAYER ABOVE

Canterbury were thrashed by the Warriors in the season opener. (AAP Image/David Rowland)

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“Every team now has a $9.5 million dollar roster, I don’t care what anyone says, that Bulldogs team is worth about six million,” Rothfield said.

“They don’t have a Taumalolo, they don’t have a Tedesco, they don’t have a Cronk. They shouldn’t be spending $9.5 million dollars on the team they put onto the park in New Zealand.”

Fellow panellist Paul Crawley chimed in, questioning if there is a resolution to the dire on-field situation.

“It’s a hiding that makes you wonder how they are going to fix it? Where is the solution coming from in that squad?” Crawley said.

WATCH THE FULL DEBATE IN THE VIDEO PLAYER ABOVE

Fatima Kdouh shed light on the club’s attempt to restore pride in the famous blue and white jumper, revealing the lengths they went to throughout the pre-season.

“The Bulldogs did an all encompassing review at the end of last year and one of the things that came out of the footy department review was that they lacked skills across the board as a football club,” Kdouh said.

“So they brought in a guy called Steve James, he’s deconstructed their attack to the point that he’s been teaching them to pass a ball. Clearly there’s a lot of work to go.”

Originally published as Monday Bunker recap: Dire Dogs cap struggles on show in opener