NRL 2021: Bulldogs players rally behind coach Trent Barrett ahead of Good Friday clash with Souths

Recalled Bulldogs five-eighth Lachlan Lewis says his game has progressed under Trent Barrett’s coaching and he will be out to prove it against South Sydney.

Lachlan Lewis. Picture: Scott Davis/NRL Photos

Canterbury’s new-look spine, led by Lachlan Lewis, are out to pull off a Good Friday ambush and prove the club has made more progress under Trent Barrett than their sluggish start to the season may indicate.

Lewis has it all to play for given he’s one of 18 Bulldogs off-contract at season’s end and an ankle injury to Jake Averillo might be just what the Queenslander needs to prove his wares.

Despite the Bulldogs failing to fire a shot in attack over the past two weeks, Lewis believes his game has progressed under Barrett and he’ll be out to show exactly how he’s improved in his head-to-head battle with South Sydney superstar Cody Walker.

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“I’ve been coached by front-rowers most of my life, so having a halfback coaching me I just sit there and listen,” said five-eighth Lachlan Lewis.

“I don’t think how the team is going is a reflection of his coaching ability. There’s little nuances in the game where having a halves expertise has really helped.”

Lachlan Lewis will start at five-eighth for the Bulldogs against South Sydney. Picture: Scott Davis/NRL Photos

The 24-year old was man-of-the-match for feeder club Mounties in their NSW Cup win over Canberra last week and believes the Bulldogs have what it takes to break down the high-flying Rabbitohs.

With Nick Meaney replacing Corey Allan at fullback and Sione Katoa slotting in at hooker for the injured Jeremy Marshall-King, halfback Kyle Flanagan will be the only member of the spine backing up from last week’s loss to Brisbane.

“I’ve had a few chats with Trent, he just wants me to play my natural game, to kick well and tackle well and bring some energy,” Lewis said.

“I don’t know what I’ll be able to do, but if Souths are presenting anything I’ll be taking it. “We’ve found a few spots we can attack and if we’re good enough we can certainly capitalise on it, so it’ll be up to Kyle and I to march this side around and really test them.”

Barrett is hopeful Lewis’ kicking game and organising skills will ease the pressure on Flanagan and help get the side’s attack moving given they have the fewest points in their first three games of any team since 1992.

Backrower Adam Elliott, one of the few Bulldogs players who has looked dangerous with ball so far this season, stressed the blue and whites were further along than many may believe.

“We just haven’t clicked yet,” Elliott said. “It’s a fairly new outfit for us. Blokes are still trying to work out combinations, not that that’s an excuse but that’s how it’s felt.

“It’s just going to take one real good game for us to click, get a bit of confidence and have that belief in our attack. Hopefully we can just keep building from that and geez it’d be great if it could be Friday’s game.”

Lachlan Lewis has played well for Mounties in the NSW Cup. Picture: Gregg Porteous/NRL Photos

The Bulldogs have scored the fewest points of any team in their first three games since the 1992 Sharks and have been kept scoreless each of the past two weeks.

Elliott is adamant Barrett had made great strides with the club’s attack, even though the form the side has shown at training is yet to be replicated on game day.

“That’s why Trent was disappointed in our attack because it’s not how we train,” Elliott said.

“He’s a really smart attacking coach and he’s got high standards and expectations as to how we attack. We’ve been training to a high standard and it’s disappointing when you don’t go out and execute that.”

The Good Friday clash is always one of the most anticipated matches of the season but it will take on special significance for Elliott this time around.

Coach Trent Barrett is chasing his first win with the Bulldogs. Picture: Bulldogs Digital

The 26-year old’s brother, James, will lead the side onto Stadium Australia to raise awareness for World Autism Day.

“It’s pretty special, I’ve been speaking with my family the last couple of days and everyone is so excited,” Elliott said. “The club teed it up with my brother and parents without telling me, they wanted it to be a surprise.

“I know the big fella is pumped. It’ll be great for him to lead us out, it’s something both of us will ever forget.

“He watches our games very closely and it’s been disappointing we haven’t had a win this year because usually when we do he sends through a video for the boys and we watch it in the review.

“He takes the wins and the losses with us, he’s just as much a part of the team as I am.”