2016 NRL Preview - Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs

The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs enter 2016 with a squad capable of beating any team on their day, but question marks remain on how the club will improve following the losses of Blues halfback Trent Hodkinson and second-row stalwart Frank Pritchard, as well as livewire hooker Damien Cook and strike centre Tim Lafai.

2015 will go down as an inconsistent one for the Bulldogs - they managed to finish 5th in the regular season, however had no answers when it mattered come finals time. Despite having the biggest and most intimidating forward pack in the competition, the Bulldogs stumbled their way into September, struggling to get past the Dragons in Week 1 before putting up a strong first half showing against the Roosters before being blown off the park 38-12 to end their season.

After an underwhelming 2015 season, 2016 sees the Bulldogs flying under the radar somewhat - which is exactly how Des Hasler prefers it. Many critics see the reduction in the interchange as a detriment to their enormous pack, and the losses of some experienced personnel from their roster has the blue-and-whites not highly ranked on many pundits predicted top 8 lists.

What the Belmore boys do have, however, is a lot of young talent coming through in representative forwards Josh Jackson and David Klemmer, as well as young gun Moses Mbye. Add to that recent signings in representative centre Will Hopoate (he's still only 23!) and highly rated rookie in former Warrior Brad Abbey, and the Bulldogs future this season and beyond is looking secure.

WHY THEY'LL WIN IT
Des Hasler coached sides have made the finals for the past 11 seasons straight, and with the squad he has in 2016 it's hard to see them not being contenders again this season. Hasler is a master of getting the best out of his players and is more than capable of eclipsing their 2012 and 2014 Grand Final defeats.

The Bulldogs also possess the meanest forward pack in the NRL and will not be intimidated by any opposition. Littered with representative stars at both state and international level, if this pack gets on a roll they will be hard to stop from getting over the advantage line. And with the Morris wins amongst the most prolific tryscorers of the past decade, along with strike weapons Will Hopoate and last season's second top tryscorer in Curtis Rona (23 tries), they should have no issues finding the line.

WHY THEY WON'T
The reduction in interchange from 10 to 8 could hurt the monster pack. The Bulldogs for the past few seasons have relied on sending a relentless wave of big men charging into the opposition. 2016 will see that tactic become less effective.

The loss of chief playmaker Trent Hodkinson to injury really hurt the 'Dogs when it came to key decision making in the back end of the season in 2015. There is no doubt that the combination of Mbye and Josh Reynolds clicked at times during the 2015 season but can they lead the big pack around and get the right results on a consistent basis? Hodkinson's move to the Hunter along with Lafai heading to Kogarah also leaves them without a recognised goalkicker, and with the Bulldogs' history in that department (Halligan and El Masri, anyone?), we all know you need to score 6 points more often than not if you want to win a premiership.

KEY PLAYERS

James Graham
He is the heart and soul of the team, and without him they really struggle. His infamous blow up in the "Black Friday" classic against the Rabbitohs last Easter saw him rubbed out for 5 weeks, where Canterbury subsequently managed just 1 win from those 5 games against a last-placed Manly outfit. It was the turning point in the 'Dogs season and eventually cost them a Top 4 position. The reduced interchange should see Graham's presence on the field increase and he is quite often the key to their attack close to the line.

Moses Mbye
Young Moses had a breakout season in 2015, so much so that Des Hasler has elected to keep him at the club over fan favourite Trent Hodkinson. This places huge expectation on the young halfback and plenty will be expected. Canterbury are hopeful of securing Mbye on a long term deal prior to the start of the 2016 season and he will be the key to the Bulldogs attack in 2016.

ROOKIES TO WATCH

Brad Abbey
Abbey has joined the club from across the Tasman and was a standout talent in the NYC in recent seasons, scoring 14 tries in 2014 and another 10 in 2015 despite only just turning 18. Abbey was reluctantly released by the Warriors following the arrival in Auckland of Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, with the Storm also chasing his signature. Touted as a future Kiwi representative, and should he impress in NSW Cup, Abbey may get a run sooner rather than later.

Adam Elliott
Elliott was the Bulldogs 2014 NYC skipper and made the NSW Residents side in 2015. The former Australian Schoolboys captain is in line to make his debut in 2016 and is very much in the hard hitting mould of NSW backrower Josh Jackson and former Bulldog & fellow South Coast junior Dale Finucane. Expected to get his chance through the Origin period with plenty of 'Dogs in contention for New South Wales jumpers.

PLAYER MOVEMENT IN
Brad Abbey (Warriors)
Kerrod Holland (Knights)
Craig Garvey (Dragons)
Will Hopoate (Eels)

PLAYER MOVEMENT OUT
Trent Hodkinson (Knights)
Frank Pritchard (ESL - Hull FC)
Corey Thompson (ESL - Widnes)
Damien Cook (Rabbitohs)
Tim Lafai (Dragons)

BEST 17
1. Brett Morris
2. Curtis Rona
3. Josh Morris
4. Will Hopoate
5. Sam Perrett
6. Josh Reynolds
7. Moses Mbye
8. Aiden Tolman
9. Michael Lichaa
10. James Graham (c)
11. Josh Jackson
12. Tony Williams
13. Greg Eastwood

14. Sam Kasiano
15. Shaun Lane
16. David Klemmer
17. Tim Browne