4. Talking Points

Pressure on recruits: No pressure young Flanagan, but it's up to you to drag a recently terrible side to the finals. Cotric never had an extended run at centres at NRL level? We'll have 15 tries please, and don't even think about missing any tackles.

Of course I'm being sarcastic but there is mounting pressure on the Dogs' new big three recruits to fire right away. Allan , Flanagan and Cotric (all 22-year's-old) become the three biggest attacking weapons in the side. Tough ask, but if given the time they'll have no concerns at all.

Can They Get Burton?: It's no secret that the Dogs are chasing their 2022 signing Matt Burton for an early release... as they should. With due respect to Averillo, the Dogs lack that game changing number six. If reports are true that Napa was requested in a swap deal by the Panthers, I would be filthy as a Dogs fan that they turned that down.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 21: Jake Averillo of the Bulldogs is tackled by Royce Hunt of the Sharks during the round six NRL match between the Cronulla Sharks and the Canterbury Bulldogs at Bankwest Stadium on June 21, 2020 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Burton could prove the difference between a lower table finish and a top eight run. Ultimately they shouldn't put all their eggs in this basket, however if there's a chance they can sign Burton early, they need to take it.

Potential Soft Middle: It's going to sound funny after what I said previously but the Dogs look a little lacking in the middle. Hetherington is a clever signing but has major issues with discipline, while Napa hasn't exactly set the world on fire in blue and white.

Ofahiki Ogden and Renouf To'omaga are good options but lack the body of work to be relied on. Luke Thompson started well at the NRL level and will surely step back into the run on side once available. That said, I'd still move Napa on for Burton.