Matty Johns: Who’s next on the chopping block at the Bulldogs?

The Bulldogs’ big recruitment drive last season hasn’t made the impact many expected and their roster is a problem that could get bigger, writes Matty Johns.

“When he went to the Bulldogs, I said, ‘You’re not a Bulldogs boy mate.’ I said, ‘You’re a Dragon.’ I said, ‘If things go bad there’s going to be no one there to protect you.’ And that’s pretty much how it’s played out.”

These were the quotes from Phil Gould on 100% Footy, and why this is an extremely difficult job, and one only for the extremely experienced or the extremely desperate.

If it’s true that Phil’s phone has been running hot as he suggests, then there’s obviously a lot of desperates out there.

One thing’s for certain, highly regarded young coaches like Cameron Ciraldo and Jason Ryles should stay a million miles away.

If Trent Barrett did quit and wasn’t pushed, or at least given the ‘wink, wink, nudge, nudge,’ it shows the level of stress and difficulty associated with this job because he’s ended his own career as a head coach.

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No rookie coach should risk the support of Canterbury Bulldogs NRL General Manager of Football Phil Gould. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

I thought he was fortunate to get a second crack after pulling the pin at Manly.

To quit a second time is most definitely terminal.

If, as Gus suggests, you need to be a “Bulldogs boy” to coach at Canterbury, they have very, very few options.

But then again, even being a “Bulldogs boy,” and one of the best doesn’t guarantee you safety or loyalty, just ask Dean Pay.

Pay was doing a good job when the axe fell on him, looking back now, with the benefit of hindsight, he was doing an outstanding job.

Dean’s win rate was 33.3 per cent compared with Barrett’s 12.5 per cent and he was achieving that with a roster not nearly as strong as Trent’s.

The roster continues to be a big problem and the problem could get bigger.

The latest recruitment drive hasn’t made an impact, and given what’s taken place, it can be described as panic buying.

Brent Naden has left close to the moment Trent Barrett quit.

There’s talk Jack Hetherington is next to go.

Paul Vaughan looks certain to leave at season’s end, Matt Dufty the same.

Rumours abound that other key signings are unsettled, with clubs apparently circling Tevita Pangai.

Matt Burton must be extremely frustrated with his current predicament. He was a young grand final winner on the up and up, in a young premiership-winning team looking to dominate the next decade.

Friends should not let friends coach at the Bulldogs. Picture: NRL Photos

It was a very shrewd signing by the Dogs, giving Burton, before the 2021 season, a big contract for an unproven youngster.

By season’s end they’d gotten him for a steal.

This is not the Dogs’ fault, it was clever business by them. But it would no doubt add to the young star’s anxiety.

Fair play to the Dogs, they are looking to upgrade his deal in the hope that he commits to them long term.

In good news this week, Viliame Kikau and Reed Mahoney’s management released statements saying both men will be honouring their Canterbury contracts and will be at Belmore next year.

However, you can’t tell me both will be looking at the current saga and the side’s current form and not have real concerns.

Penrith Panthers assistant coach Cameron Ciraldo would be wrong to take on the job at the Bulldogs. Picture: NRL Photos

It’s imperative that things start to turn around quickly for Canterbury, they have a lot of recruiting to do and if they don’t find rapid improvement, getting potential targets to put pen to paper will be extremely difficult.

It will be interesting to see whether the change of coach is enough to get this squad to start to realise their potential. I never expected the Dogs to be playing Finals football but they should be moving up into the mid table.

Crucial to this is Kyle Flanagan.

After his early season treatment, Kyle lost all confidence. Kyle is never going to be a playmaker who shreds a defence with his running game, but he has a lot of what the Dogs need, composure and intelligence. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a spike in his form.

Kyle Flanagan had a tough start to the season but he brings what the Bulldogs need at the moment. Picture: Mark Nolan/Getty Images

AND ANOTHER THING...

Some clubs take a long, long time to recover from the retirement of an iconic playmaker.

Two immediately come to mind, Parramatta Eels and the Newcastle Knights.

For Parramatta it took them well over a decade to start to be considered any sort of title contender after Peter Sterling called it quits.

Newcastle are still in the midst of the Andrew Johns hangover.

For the Knights it’s been numerous factors, a high turnover of coaches and instability in terms of ownership, but the retirement of their immortal No. 7 has been primary.

The North Queensland Cowboys have had a few rough seasons but they are now showing signs that they have moved on from the Johnathan Thurston era and are ready to enter another successful period.

They’ve used a common formula, identify and nurture a group of talented youngsters and bring in some key signings to compliment them.

On top of that, Todd Payten has shown strength of character to absorb criticism and stick to the vision he has for this football team.