2017 Preview | Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs

Despite the Bulldogs making the finals on every occasion under Des Hasler's tenure, (which includes two Grand Final appearances in 2012 and 2014) 2017 sees the club enter the season under enormous pressure to break their 13 season drought since their last premiership back in 2004.

For the past two seasons Canterbury has had a strong enough roster to be a contender for the title, and for the second season running they limped into the finals and exited without mounting a challenge. For the best part of 2016 the blue and whites sat comfortably in the Top 8, however inconsistency was a major killer with the side failing to nail consecutive wins until Round 11. 

From there they excelled through the Origin period winning four matches on the trot and with a healthy roster which included the return of star winger Brett Morris from a long injury lay off, they looked primed for a Top 4 birth. The big test came in Round 20 against the defending premiers North Queensland in Townsville, where the Dogs had to prove they were the real deal. They failed miserably, losing 36-0, with former Bulldog Jonathan Thurston putting on a masterclass to leave Canterbury's confidence shattered, as well as leaving a blueprint on how to shut their offence down for all their rivals to see and replicate for the remainder of the season.

The Dogs put up a solid first half performance against the Panthers in their semi final appearance but they were simply blown off the park in the second half by an in form and far more enthusiastic outfit, going down 28-12 in a very similar performance to their finals exit in 2015 to the Roosters where they simply didn't find that extra gear that was needed for victory. 

A disappointing Grand Final loss to South Sydney in 2014, followed by two underwhelming finals appearances have left the club and fans frustrated and this has lead to the club's board feeling the pressure, cutting coach Des Hasler's staff and demanding that the side change their ways in 2017 in order for Hasler to be offered a new contract. Looking at the current roster for 2017, the Dogs still have a pack littered with internationals, not to mention the attacking prowess of the Morris brothers, Will Hopoate, Moses Mbye and Josh Reynolds, so the talent is there for them to challenge for the title if they can make the necessary adjustments. 

Why they'll win it

Des Hasler is the master when it comes to making the finals having done so for 12 straight seasons, what he must produce for this squad is a Top 4 finish. His critics will say that he is too stubborn to change his playing style, but with the disappointing conclusion to last season, where opposition sides were easily shutting down their pedestrian offence, the mad professor has been left with no choice but the head back to the lab. They may even potentially fly under the radar! 

The Bulldogs also still possess one of the meanest packs in the competition, littered with representative stars such as James Graham, Josh Jackson, David Klemmer and Sam Kasiano. There is no stopping them from getting over the advantage line time after time, it's what they do in that red zone that will be the key. Des Hasler has a knack for producing quality halves (think Cherry-Evans, Foran and Hodkinson) and 2017 will follow suit. Josh Reynolds lead NSW to an Origin series win in 2014 and Moses Mbye is an immensely talented player who will be better for the run in his first full season at halfback, follow that with the Morris brothers determination to reclaim their NSW representative jerseys and the Dogs can give this competition a shake.    

Why they won't win it

Expectations are too high. Des Hasler is under immense pressure despite his outstanding record, halves Moses Mbye and Josh Reynolds are under pressure to ignite the attack, James Graham needs to get out of the way in attack, Michael Lichaa must live up to the hype. Something has got to give! If the Bulldogs don't fly out of the blocks from the get go, the knives will be out. How will the club and its fans handle the prospect back to back losses early in the season? Patience is thin and fingers will be pointed.

Recruitment for 2017 also hasn't lifted the spirits of the Bulldogs faithful either, with the focus being on retaining a host of stars including David Klemmer, Josh Jackson and Moses Mbye to long term deals. With no big names recruits and the departures of Curtis Rona, Sam Perrett and Tony Williams the change in attitude and performance will need to come from the personnel that are already in the squad from 2016. A couple of key injuries, depth will be tested and they will struggle to keep pace. 

Key Players

Josh Reynolds - The former NSW five-eighth comes off contract at the end of this year and 2017 promises to be a make or break for the talented number six. On his day Reynolds is one of the most talented ball runners in the competition, however at times his passion can go over the top and cost his side, something he managed to curb in 2016. If the Bulldogs are to get their attack in order, then Reynolds will need to be front and centre with his jack in the box style of play back to its very best. If he is being discussed as a contender for the #6 for NSW come Origin time, then the Bulldogs are on track.

Moses Mbye - Moses Mbye dominated in the #7 early in 2016 and was even being touted as a smokey to crack the Queensland squad around Origin time, but he seemed to lose his assertiveness towards the backend of the season. If he can be a consistent performer in 2017, improve his kicking game and ignite his combination with the ultra competitive Josh Reynolds then the Dogs will be in with a strong show.

Rookies

Zac Woolford - Signed from Canberra, the son of former Raiders captain Simon Woolford has signed with the Bulldogs for the next two years and by all reports has impressed in the off season. The goalkicking hooker was nominated for the Holden Cup Player of the Year and caused plenty of havoc out of dummy half for the Raiders, scoring 4 tries and creating 18 line break assists for the season. The nugetty hooker was rewarded with selection in the NSW under 20's side against Queensland. With his pathway to the NRL blocked by the Raiders depth in the number 9 position, expect Woolford to push the incumbent Michael Lichaa and bench hooker Craig Garvey for a spot in the starting 17.

Josh Cleeland - A big bodied half with a wicked left foot step, Cleeland has been signed from the Cronulla Sharks after being awarded the NSW Cup five eighth of the year last season for the Sharks feeder team Newtown. Signed as back up for Moses Mbye and Josh Reynolds, the young Queenslander was also instrumental on the Ipswich Jets dominant performance in 2015, where they won the QLD Intrust Super Cup as well as the NRL Instrust Super State Championship. Make no mistake if there are injuries in the halves in 2017, Cleeland is more than ready to field the void. 

Player Movements

Gains | Zac Woolford (Raiders), Josh Cleeland (Sharks), Rhyse Martin (Townsville Blackhawks), Brenko Lee (Raiders), Tom Carr (Dragons), Francis Tualau (Storm), Richard Kennar (Storm), Asipeli Fine (Wests Tigers)

Losses | Pat O'Hanlon (retirement), Sam Perrett (retirement), Curtis Rona (rugby union, Western Force), Tim Browne (Panthers), Tony Williams (Sharks), Richard Coorey (released), Makahesi Makatoa (Raiders), Jarrod McInally (Queensland Intrust Super Cup), Graham Clark (released), Jake Kamire (released), Reubenn Rennie (released), Lamar Liolevave (released), Lloyd Perrett (Sea Eagles)

Best 17

1. Brett Morris
2. Brenko Lee
3. Josh Morris
4. Will Hopoate
5. Chase Stanley
6. Josh Reynolds
7. Moses Mbye
8. Aiden Tolman
9. Michael Lichaa
10. James Graham (c) 
11. Josh Jackson
12. Sam Kasiano
13. David Klemmer

14. Greg Eastwood 
15. Raymond Faitala-Mariner
16. Adam Elliott
17. Craig Garvey

2017 Draw

Click the image below for the Bulldogs' full 2017 schedule