Despite finishing the 2016 season in 7th position, many pundits and fans called for change at the club and questioned whether Des Hasler was the right man to coach the club.

The Bulldogs were convincingly beaten in their only Finals match by a much younger and inexperienced Panthers side. Will 2017 be any different?

2016 Round 1 Team

  1. Will Hopoate
  2. Curtis Rona
  3. Josh Morris
  4. Chase Stanley
  5. Sam Perrett
  6. Josh Reynolds
  7. Moses Mbye
  8. Aiden Tolman
  9. Michael Lichaa
  10. James Graham
  11. Josh Jackson
  12. Tony Williams
  13. Greg Eastwood
  14. Sam Kasiano
  15. Tim Browne
  16. Adam Elliott
  17. Lloyd Perrett

The 2017 Bulldogs team looks very similar to the 2016 team, which on paper, means they should be once again looking for a Finals berth. The Bulldogs spine remains the same and that will be a major concern for many fans.

Will Hopoate is a solid fullback but doesn't create many opportunities. Josh Reynolds is an old-schoolย five-eighth, with a great running game and dangerous with the ball in his hands, but he too doesn't create that much for those around him.

The bulk of the play-making duties in the spine falls on young Moses Mbye and he struggled throughout the season, which led to Canterbury scoring the least amount of points of the teams that made the finals.

What is positive about the having a similar team to last year is that means the Bulldogs will once again start the season with one of the biggest forward packs in the game. Will it be enough to deeper into the finals?

2017 Possible Round 1 Team

  1. Will Hopoate
  2. Brett Morris
  3. Josh Morris
  4. Kerrod Holland
  5. Brenko Lee
  6. Josh Reynolds
  7. Moses Mbye
  8. James Graham
  9. Michael Lichaa
  10. Aiden Tolman
  11. Josh Jackson
  12. Greg Eastwood
  13. David Klemmer
  14. Craig Garvey
  15. Sam Kasiano
  16. Adam Elliot
  17. Raymond Faitala-Mariner

PICK YOUR NRL TEAM: Not a fan of the above team? Then take over as the coach and pick your line-up!

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