Canterbury Bulldogs veterans Aiden Tolmana and Josh Jackson back besieged coach Dean Pay

What seemed a fairly standard media call for Josh Jackson and Aiden Tolman took an unusual twist as they prepared for a grilling over their coach Dean Pay and a dismal season.

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AS journalists gathered at Belmore morning, Canterbury’s media boss called Josh Jackson and Aiden Tolman into a brief huddle before sending them back to front questions.

Which was unusual, given the pair are two of the Bulldogs’ most senior players and haven’t been seen this season receiving last-minute coaching on how to handle a media grilling.

However, only an hour earlier, The Daily Telegraph’s sports editor-at-large, Phil Rothfield, had told Macquarie Sports Radio that coach Dean Pay, whose contract was extended until the end of 2020 back in March, could be gone in the next six weeks.

With the club anchored at the bottom of the ladder and facing a wooden spoon finish, Pay’s future is uncertain.

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Josh Jackson and Aiden Tolman were called into a brief huddle before sending them back to front questions.

Following the unusual pre-media pep talk, veteran forward Tolman was quick to back Pay.

“Obviously we support Dean and he’s our coach and moving forward, he’s signed until the end of next year,” he said.

The pressure on Pay has only amplified in recent weeks. The Bulldogs have now lost four straight games and have conceded 74 points in two weeks against St George Illawarra and the Sydney Roosters.

Tolman conceded the playing group needed to own their unfavourable results and poor performances on the field.

“The results we’ve had over the past fortnight... he’s not on the field. He’s not the one playing the game. the responsibility has got to be on the players as well,” he said.

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“We’ve got to work collectively as a group and it’s only the people inside these walls that can fix it. That’s starting with the players, the coach, the support staff and every body else involved.

“I mean, everyone is under pressure not just Dean. That’s the nature of the sport.”

Then it was captain Josh Jackson’s turn to defend his coach.

“To start with, we are all behind Deano, he’s a fantastic coach,” Jackson said. “He’s great for this place, he gives you a lot of confidence and prepares us really well.

“About three months ago he signed on for another year, so as far as I’m concerned Dean will be here for the next 12 months.”

The Bulldogs take on the Cronulla Sharks at ANZ Stadium this weekend and Tolman believes it’s the perfect opportunity for his side to get back into the winners circle.

“We’ve all got to be better. What better way to do it than on a Sunday afternoon against quality opposition in the Sharks,” Tolman said.

Originally published as Canterbury Bulldogs veterans Aiden Tolmana and Josh Jackson back besieged coach Dean Pay