Canterbury Bulldogs 2009 preview
February 7th 2009 05:16
The Lowdown
Although 2008 was Rugby League's centenary season, it was a year that the Canterbury Bulldogs would rather keep in the closet and never speak of again such was the nature of an NRL campaign that saw Sonny Bill Williams depart to France, Reni Maitua get sacked and the club itself finish with the Wooden Spoon for the fifth time in its history.
2009 prospects
As is the case with every team starting next season from the bottom, the only way for the Bulldogs is up, but just how high up the table will Canterbury finish in 2009?
The Bulldogs are no doubt entering a rebuilding phase with just four players remaining from their 2004 Premiership triumph against the Sydney Roosters. Luke Patten, Hazem El Masri, Andrew Ryan and Matt Utai are still at Belmore and will be aching for a return to the club's glory days.
Although a Premiership at this stage seems a bit premature, the Bulldogs have brought well in the off season and arguably boost the most improved roster out of all the NRL clubs heading into 2009.
New additions to their line-up include former Broncos players Michael Ennis, David Stagg and Ben Hannant, former Shark Brett Kimmorley, former Dragon Josh Morris and former Titan Michael Hodgson.
Indeed these new buys for the Bulldogs will provide the side with much needed structure in both defence and attack.
The Bulldogs often leaked points at will last season and finished up as the worst defensive team in the competition, conceding 139 tries in their disastrous campaign.
With the inclusion of Stagg, Ennis and Hannant in particular, the Bulldogs now have a solid line-up of players that pride themselves on keeping the opposition scoreless.
In terms of attack, the Bulldogs scored a meagre 78 tries in total which ranked them as the second worst offensive unit last season.
Their point scoring woes can be attributed to their bulimic depth in the Halves, especially when Brent Sherwin departed the club.
In his place, Daniel Holdsworth and Ben Roberts were often relied upon to guide the Bulldogs out of trouble - they didn't and it cost Canterbury dearly.
However with the arrival of top class halfback Kimmorley, there is now light at Belmore which will help the Bulldogs find the tryline.
Kimmorley was often the Sharks' linchpin in their run to third position on the ladder last season with his kicking game still one of the best in the competition.
If the Bulldogs forwards do their work up front, then Kimmorley will come into his own and provide the side with enough territorial advantage to perhaps challenge the best teams.
Prediction
The Bulldogs will be better than last season, that is a given. They have brought tremendously well during the off season and their roster should allow them to challenge for a finals spot in the NRL season ahead. Whether they are good enough to win a Premiership will all depend on how well they start 2009.
Finish - 9th
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