At the halfway point of the season, the Bulldogs are languishing at the bottom of the ladder, and having recently sacked coach Trent Barrett, season 2022 is essentially written off by the Bulldogs.
With no definitive direction or head coach for 2023, interim coach Mick Potter has a golden opportunity to explore some โwhat-ifsโ and โmaybesโ in the Bulldogs' squad.
Traditionally, teams in similar positions have blooded rookies and dropped those not in future plans, with significant selection pressure motivating incumbents to work hard to earn their next contracts.
With general manager Phil Gould and Barrett having recently overhauled the roster and with major signings on the way next season, Potter has full control of a still relatively new squad, and should start making some creative changes, perhaps even enhancing his reputation as an NRL coach along the way, with the Bulldogs, Tigers and Warriors jobs still vacant.
2. Tevita Pangai Junior to lock
Isaah Yeo. Victor Radley. Cameron Murray. Jake Trbojevic. Reuben Cotter. The NRLโs best sides have skilful ball-playing locks, creating attacking shape by running deep into the line and alternating between run and pass options.
Quite frankly, Josh Jackson isnโt threatening enough running or passing to cut it as a modern-day lock and is better suited to a more workmanlike prop or second row role strengthening the Bulldogsโ defence.
By comparison, Tevita Pangai Junior could be the perfect lock, both a threat attracting defenders and using his passing game and through his ability to penetrate the line and find offloads.
TPJโs considerable talents arenโt being used often enough and could become a nightmare for defences if the Dogs make this change.
However, his occasional defensive and attitude deficiencies as well as the trade-off between playing bigger minutes and having less impact may make Potter hesitant to make this change, regardless of the Bulldogsโ struggling attack.
Intriguing ideas. I’m a bit dubious about Bailey Biondi-Odo at 6, but the season is trashed in terms of making the eight, Potter does not have a 2023 contract to protect, so yeah – make all the changes and see which ones work !
Either way, the changes will yield valuable information for next season.