Monday Buzz: Phil Gould’s horror record of roster management could bite Bulldogs

It remains one of the most contentious positions on the new-look Bulldogs roster, and it’s made even more interesting by one player’s 2022 contract, writes PHIL ROTHFIELD.

Phil Gould doesn’t have a good track record of roster management.

Phil Gould knows better than most about winning NRL premierships.

Yet roster management is not one of his stronger points. Ask Penrith Panthers.

The Panthers couldn’t win a premiership until Ivan Cleary and Brian Fletcher carefully dismantled the team Gus built and offloaded the likes of Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Waqa Blake, Tyrone Peachey, James Maloney, Trent Merrin, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, James Tamou and Matt Moylan before their contracts were up.

Now all the focus is on Gus’ multi-million dollar rebuild at the Canterbury Bulldogs.

Phil Gould doesn’t have a good track record of roster management.

This is obviously no five-year plan.

The Dogs want a quick fix which is why they have signed so many big names and especially big boppers — Paul Vaughan, Viliame Kikau and Tevita Pangai Jr to join the likes of Luke Thompson and Jack Hetherington in a heavyweight pack of forwards.

But there’s one thing missing: a decent spine.

Far be it for your columnist to be tipping to Gus on winning premierships, but you don’t get to pick up Norm and Arthur without outstanding players wearing jerseys nine, seven, six and one.

Let’s look at the spines of the last three premiership-winnings sides:

Panthers 2021: 9 Api Koroisau, 7 Nathan Cleary, 6 Jarome Luai, 1 Dylan Edwards.

Storm 2020: 9 Cameron Smith, 7 Jahrome Hughes, Cameron Munster, 1 Ryan Papenhuyzen.

Roosters 2019: 9 Jake Friend, 7 Cooper Cronk, 6 Luke Keary 1 James Tedesco.

Now the Bulldogs spine in 2022: 9 Jeremy Marshall-King, 7 Kyle Flanagan, 6 Matt Burton 1 Matt Dufty.

I rest my case, your honour.

Phil Gould is rebuilding the Bulldogs. Picture: 7News

Gus and coach Trent Barrett know this and it’s why so many Bulldogs players are nervously watching this develop from the sidelines.

Like with the Panthers, there will have to be huge roster shuffling and many casualties.

Already high-priced winger/centre Nick Cotric is being shopped around to rival clubs, including the Parramatta Eels.

English front-rower Thompson has been offered to the Wests Tigers.

Players like Corey Allan and Kyle Flanagan are on really good money but are under contract to the Bulldogs until the end of 2023.

So where does the money come from to sign Reed Mahoney from the Parramatta Eels. Or a premiership winning halfback and fullback, with respect to Flanagan and Dufty.

The halfback position at Belmore will be most interesting.

Apparently Flanagan’s contract is heavily back-loaded and he’ll be earning $500,000 in 2023.

There’s also talk of Gus planning to turn Jake Averillo into a Jahrome Hughes-type of player. Good luck with that.

There is no question the Bulldogs will climb off the bottom of the ladder next year.

They’ve got Burton, Brent Naden and Josh Addo-Carr to add class, speed and strike power.

There’s no question this club is going places but there will be some carnage before a premiership. You can absolutely guarantee that.