Bulldogs set to suffer 2008, rule 2009
June 28th 2008 07:41
Sonny Bill's brilliance wasn't enough for the Bulldogs
Thinking of the Bulldogs making the finals is like saying Lindsay Lohan's a good role model. You don't know how sick thoughts like that make one feel.
People may not be yelling it out, but the Bulldogs are in crisis. Not even Shakespear can write a poem to cheer the Canterbury faithful.
But I can think of a million reasons why the dogs will be a force next season.
Sixteen teams will take notice in 2009 as Canterbury have inked the signatures of Michael Ennis, Brett Kimmorley, Josh Morris and Ben Hannant.
Putting it briefly, the Bulldogs will be back next year. They will rattle the competition like the wonder years of 2002 and 2004. One reason or another, the dogs will be contenders once again.
But the future is over eight months away. At present Sonny Bill and those tattoos on his arms are the reasons Canterbury aren't sitting with a wooden spoon on their hands.
For everything this club has gone through, you wouldn't be surprised if Steve Folkes stood up crying in reflection of the great years he's had at the Bulldogs. A man of his respect and capability deserves to go out on a better note than the one currently being read to him.
Against the Roosters, Folkes was thinking of the better days. All those letters of support from fans in years gone by. Life was sweet.
It was also sweet given the fact the Bulldogs were leading 10-0 against their arch rivals. A piece of Williams magic put El Masri over for the first try. Then young half Taumata showcased his talents with a 70 metre individual effort. The promise was good.
But remiscent of a letter from the bank, The Roosters shred up their opposition minus seven regular first graders,albeit they stumbled a bit on the way.
For the Bulldogs, it was a wasteful performance. Leading 10-0, they should have gone on with the job. Sixty minutes later, 24 points get put on them as fast as ink goes to paper.
Rather than get frustrated up stairs, Folkes remained calm and realistic. Realistic enough to suggest the Bulldogs season was over, his tenure slowly dying down.
Another defeat was suffered. A pain so overwhelming a needle to the eye could not match.
Former Bulldog Mark O'Meley said the dogs lost their aura. Those comments were not out of bitter madness from the Rooster. They were from the heart. A club in which he won a grand final with was decimated. O'Meley just said the truth.
What else can the Dogs do to rescue a season heading on the verge of collapse? Although clues will be far and between, the obvious choice would be to move on and play out a season that will build the foundations for success in 2009.
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