Dean Pay guides Bulldogs towards brighter future after tough start
NOT only have Canterbury found some exciting young stars to carry them into the future, but they also have a leader who is teaching the next generation to play like the Bulldogs of old.
NRL
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THE main reason Dean Pay was brought back to Canterbury this year was to try and rediscover the DNA that apparently went missing under Des Hasler.
For the first half of the season it looked as though Pay would be lucky to last the year in the top job.
But the way it is looking now, not only have Canterbury found some exciting young stars to carry them into the future, but they also have a coach who is teaching the next generation to play like the Bulldogs of old.
And while plenty were lining up to give the accolades to rookies Reimis Smith and Lachlan Lewis in the wake of Sunday’s 38-0 flogging of St George Illawarra, Pay deserved his share of the recognition.
After being forced to offload Moses Mbye and Aaron Woods on the back of their much publicised salary cap troubles, Pay has somehow kept the spirit and energy up in a squad that had every reason to give up.
Following one of the toughest years in the club’s proud history, they have now responded with four wins from their past five games to fight their way clear of the wooden spoon.
As a player, Pay was as tough as any of his era — and that resilience is one of the most obvious qualities in the football Canterbury they are now playing.
“We haven’t had a lot go right for us this year,” Pay said.
“But we have a number of young guys that are playing well for us and young guys that are coming to the club next year.
“So the most pleasing part about it is that there is going to be good competition for spots.
“That only breeds a healthy club.”
Smith was absolutely sensational, finishing with a hat-trick that included a stunning 70-metre effort where he outsprinted flying Dragons fullback Matt Dufty.
Lewis was equally superb, totally outpointing Ben Hunt in every facet of their games.
It’s hard to believe the 22-year-old didn’t even have a spot in Canterbury’s top 30 roster at the start of the season — and was told at one point he was free to find another NRL club.
Going forward, who knows how far Lewis’ career can now take him.
The problem for Pay next year is that he will have Kieran Foran back and Newcastle recruit Jack Cogger coming to the club.
But judging on what Lewis has produced in his eight NRL games so far, Foran and Cogger will be the ones fighting between themselves to partner Lewis in the halves.
“If you know the kid, he just takes everything in his stride,” Pay said of the youngster, who was also at Canberra when Pay was there.
“He never gets flustered by anything.
“He is a footy player and that is what he is.
“Is there things to work on in his game? Of course there is.
“But, look, he really wants to play NRL and he wants to play it each and every week.
“The biggest compliment I could give him is he does that. He works really hard, and he is a tough kid.”
Which is a comment many would make about the coach himself. And the reason why the Bulldogs have rediscovered their DNA.