Bulldogs look to future with fresh roster for upcoming season
Canterbury appear to have an eye on the future having been big players in the transfer market for the 2019 season. FULL ROSTER ANALYSIS
Canterbury appear to have an eye on the future having been big players in the transfer market for the 2019 season.
The club have lost a wealth of experience while gaining stacks of potential stars.
With a new-look roster and plenty of youth at Belmore, the Dogs loom as an intriguing prospect for the upcoming season.
Full squad
1. Adam Elliott, 2. Aiden Tolman, 3. Brandon Wakeham, 4. Chris Smith, 5. Christian Chrichton, 6. Corey Harawira-Naera, 7. Danny Fualalo, 8. Dylan Napa, 9. Fa’Amanu Brown, 10. Francis Tualau, 11. Jack Cogger, 12. Jayden Okunbor, 13. Jeremy Marshall-King, 14. John Olive, 15. Josh Jackson, 16. Kerrod Holland, 17. Kieran Foran, 18. Lachlan Lewis, 19. Marcelo Montoya, 20. Michael Lichaa, 21. Nick Meaney, 22. Ofahiki Ogden, 23. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 24. Reimis Smith, 25. Renouf To’omaga, 26. Rhyse Martin, 27. Sauaso Sue, 28. Will Hopoate, 29. Zac Saddler
Ins
Jack Cogger (Newcastle Knights, 2020), Christian Crichton (Penrith Panthers, 2021), Corey Harawira-Naera (Penrith Panthers, 2022), Nick Meaney (Newcastle Knights, 2021), James Roumanos (Cronulla Sharks, 2021), Chris Smith (Sydney Roosters, 2020), Sauaso Sue (Wests Tigers, 2020), Dylan Napa (2021)
Outs
Greg Eastwood (released), Asipeli Fine (released), Matt Frawley (Huddersfield Giants), Moses Mbye (Wests Tigers), Brett Morris (Sydney Roosters), Josh Morris (Cronulla Sharks), Clay Priest (released), Aaron Woods (Cronulla Sharks), Zac Woolford (Newcastle Knights)
Recruitment strength
Canterbury are going through the early stages of a rebuild not at all dissimilar to what Newcastle have experienced in recent years, and their recruitment is reflective of that. They’ve lost plenty of experience in David Klemmer, the Morris twins and Aaron Woods, while they’ve signed several young prospects with enormous potential.
The likes of Jack Cogger and Nick Meaney could be stars of the future, but are likely to need a full-season under their belts before truly hitting their straps.
Corey Harawira-Naera and Christian Crichton had strong years at Penrith in 2018 and look as though they’ll add tremendous value at Belmore.
The massive loss of Klemmer to the Knight has been offset by the signing of Roosters premiership winner and Queensland State of Origin prop Dylan Napa.
Best 17
1. Nick Meaney, 2. Christian Chrichton, 3. Will Hopoate, 4. Kerrod Holland, 5. Reimis Smith, 6. Lachlan Lewis, 7. Kieran Foran, 8. Dylan Napa, 9. Michael Lichaa, 10. Aiden Tolman, 11. Josh Jackson, 12. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 13. Rhyse Martin. Interchange: 14. Jeremy Marshall-King, 15. Corey Harawira-Naera, 16. Adam Elliott, 17. Sauaso Sue
Forwards
Should David Klemmer remain at the club, Canterbury look quite strong in the engine room. Harawira-Naera is a serious talent and could easily win his way into a starting edge role prior to the season opener. He’ll provide plenty of energy off the bench alongside Adam Elliott and recruit Sauaso Sue. Michael Lichaa lacks creativity around the ruck and desperately needs a breakout year to solidify his future in the NRL.
Backs
The consistent Will Hopoate is probably the Dogs best option at fullback. However, with highly touted youngster Nick Meaney joining from Newcastle and the club having one eye towards the future, it could suit the balance of the side to play Hopoate at centre.
Reimis Smith evolved into an electric winger at the backend of last season that saw him win four straight man-of-the-match awards for the Dogs.
Canterbury should be aiming to utilise his speed and strength by giving him a licence to roam in and around the ruck, much like Canberra do with Jordan Rapana.
Will enough space be created out wide to give himself and Crichton decent opportunities to weave any magic?
Spine
The Dogs looks to be facing the same old issue that’s plagued them in recent years of where they’ll conjure their points. Kieran Foran remains at the club for now, but he’s been strongly linked to a return to Manly under former mentor Des Hasler.
Provided Foran remains in blue and white, his wearying body will be put through the ringer in pre-season to determine whether he’s still capable of competing in the top grade. It could be a tough season for the Dogs, so Dean Pay may be tempted at some stage to look towards 2020 by starting Cogger over Foran, and Meaney at fullback ahead of Hopoate.
Regardless, there’s plenty of options if combinations fail to fire.
Where they’re lacking
Outside of Will Hopoate, who isn’t exactly a creative genius, the Canterbury spine lacks class. All men are very capable first-graders, but together they lack the quality to conjure points.
In recent years the shuffled playmaking quartet have looked in slow motion during attacking raids.
Dean Pay needs to get the side playing flatter and quicker to put the opposition under pressure and force them into making defensive decisions.
It’s something Foran is more than capable of if he can get his body fit enough to compete on a weekly basis.
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