The Dogs were one of the hardest teams to predict last season. When they were on, they were near impossible to stop. When they weren’t, they were not fun to watch.
Mbye and Reynolds struggled to dictate terms on a consistent basis, with their kicking game arguably the worst across the competition.
Improvements will have to be made if they are to feature in the finals race in 2017, and you can bet Des Hasler has had them working night and day on doing just that.
The Dogs forward pack is as frightening as ever, with Sam Kasiano slimming down in hopes of playing increased minutes, adding another route of attack to the Dogs game plan.
MORE PREVIEWS
Weakness: Kicking game
It was obvious to all who saw the Dogs go round in 2016 that their kicking game was their Achilles heel, and I can’t see that changing overnight.
Moses Mbye is a special talent with a running and passing game that can lead his side for many years, but unless he can dictate terms with the boot, he will never be a great halfback.
Reynolds is playing for his future, which is tough to fathom given just a few years ago he was leading the Blues to a series victory at Origin level.
Hopoate and Lichaa don’t possess the kicking games to offset the struggles in the halves, and I don’t see lock David Klemmer lacing too many this season either.
Strength: Forward dominance
James Graham, David Klemmer, and Aiden Tolman are a fierce trio that isn't matched by too many sides across the competition.
Josh Jackson is one of the game’s elite wide-running back rowers, with all the skills to once again be amongst his club’s best.
Sam Kasiano has always been a clever forward with plenty of ability, but the extra weight he was carrying limited game time. He looks a different player entering 2017 and should play more minutes.
Greg Eastwood seems not to age, while Raymond Faitala-Mariner is criminally under rated.
Best Player: James Graham
Ideally, you would like your best player plying his trade somewhere in the spine, but James Graham has proven himself to be the Bulldogs best across multiple seasons, and again holds that honour in 2017.
He can do things most front-rowers cannot, and plays almost like a halfback at times, while still making two hundred metres up the middles, and making 40+ tackles.
Few props, or forwards for that matter, have the motor possessed by the English and Bulldog great, and few are as willing to do the dirty work either.
Expect another monster seasons from the Brit. Also expect plenty of blow-ups, as none are as passionate about their club.
Pressure On: Des Hasler
It’s almost insane to type that the pressure is on a man who has led the Dogs to two Grand Finals and has never missed the finals during his time at the club.
The Dogs are a proud club and expect success, and Hasler is yet to provide them with the ultimate success, an NRL premiership.
As I have previously stated, he needs his halves to improve on 2016. He made the decision to move Trend Hodkinson on to accommodate this pairing, and that gamble needs to pay off.
A slow start will heap more pressure on Hasler, although unless they go 0-5 to start the season, I don’t see his tenure ending anytime soon.
Prediction: 12th
I feel almost bad typing this, but I can’t see the Dogs making the finals due to the lack of a kicking game, and creativity outside of Mbye.
Lichaa is a hard working number nine but has not filled the giant boots vacated by Michael Ennis to secure his signature.
Will Hopoate had his moments but will miss game time this season whenever the Dogs play on a Sunday.
Brett Morris may not see the ball his considerable talent warrants on the wing, and I’d expect a move back to fullback may be on the cards if the club starts poorly.
The Dogs have all the ingredients to prove everybody wrong, but unless their kicking game is on song from round one, they’re going to be on the back foot.
