Bulldogs: Trent Barrett is right to try and find the answer to Canterbury’s halfback crisis

Trent Barrett’s critics are barking up the wrong tree, writes Dean Ritchie, or would they rather the Bulldogs stick with a losing formula?

NRL 2021 RD06 North Queensland Cowboys v Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs – Trent Barrett Coach NRL PHOTOS

Am I missing something here?

Is Trent Barrett really being condemned for trying to find a winning halves combination? Is he really being ganged up on for attempting to save his coaching job?

For trying to find an attacking solution after his side has posted just 28 points in four games?

Barrett has been carved up this week for having the temerity to choose Kyle Flanagan – a former first grader at Cronulla and the Sydney Roosters – at halfback.

The decision has been described as “coaching incompetence” simply because Flanagan’s wasn’t included in the Bulldogs A team through the trials.

Give me strength.

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Bulldogs coach Trent Barrett is right to fix his halfback problem. Picture: NRL PHOTOS

What the bloody hell is Barrett supposed to do? Just sit back, pick the same side every week and watch his coaching career slip away down the local Belmore sewer?

Flanagan was brought by Canterbury to play NRL – not NSW Cup. And for those unaware, Trent Barrett’s job is on the line. Probably his career. He needs a win.

Barrett tried Jake Averillo and Brandon Wakeham in his halves over the opening four rounds and it didn’t work.

Why should Flanagan be protected? When you’re losing, guess what, you make changes.

Ask Flanagan whether he wants to play NRL? Of course he does. He wants an opportunity at the top level to prove himself to his army of doubters.

You really reckon Kyle would be saying: “I didn’t play the trials so I would rather play NSW Cup.”

Granted, choosing a third halfback in five rounds isn’t a great look. It does smack of panic. But guess what? Barrett is entitled to be on edge. His charter is to find the right team with the right combinations and chemistry.

And if that means changing around his roster then so be it. That’s what coaches do – they watch, learn and rotate. I hope your courage is rewarded, Baz.