ethos
BroncoKiwi
2009 Season Preview - Canterbury Bulldogs
January 31st 2009 04:41
Category: Opinion
The year 2008 was definitely one to forget for the Bulldogs, with the club claiming the wooden spoon, suffering the Sonny Bill Williams saga and sacking wayward lock Reni Maitua.
However, things can only improve for Canterbury and the upcoming season comes coupled with a welcome sense of change at the club. After ten years as first grade coach, Steven Folkes has been replaced by assistant Kevin Moore, while established NRL stars Williams, Maitua, centre Willie Tonga, veteran dummy half Corey Hughes and outside back Nick Youngquest also depart. The club has acquired a host of players but without doubt their best signing is crafty dummy half Michael Ennis. His competitive drive will prove inspiration to the players around him.
It will also be interesting to see how ex-Sharks halfback Brett Kimmorley responds to his new surroundings. Will the veteran find a new lease of life? Or will old age finally catch up with the 32 year old playmaker? Question marks also exist over the quality of the ‘Dogs forwards. The offloading ability and footwork of Maitua and Williams will be sorely missed in a pack of toilers.
Overall I think Canterbury will improve this year and, while they may not quite have the personnel to make the top eight, rest assured they’ll compete. Look for monstrous prop John Kite to trample the odd defender.
Gains:
Josh Morris (Dragons – 2011), Brett Kimmorley (Sharks - 2010), Ben Hannant (Broncos - 2011), Michael Ennis (Broncos - 2011), Michael Hodgson (Titans - 2010), Bryson Goodwin (Sharks), Yileen Gordon (Rabbitohs - 2009), Benson Toupou (Tigers), Nick Taylor (West Magpies), Chris Ward (Panthers), Ben Shea (Tigers), Solomon Foster (Knights), Steve Azzi (Roosters), Joey Matapuka (Souths), David Stagg (Broncos - 2010)
Losses:
Willie Tonga (Cowboys), Corey Hughes (Sharks), Nick Youngquest (Pia - France), Sonny Bill Williams (French Rugby Union), Leon Bott (Manly Rugby Union), Arana Taumata (Storm), Kane Cleal (Rabbitohs), Joe Williams (retirement), Jimmy Fawcet (Knights), Liam Roach (Tigers), Reni Maitua (Sharks), Aaron Groom (Sheffield Eagles)
Predicted line-up:
1. Luke Patten 2. Hazem El Masri 3. Josh Morris 4. Jamal Idris 5. Matt Utai 6. Daniel Holdsworth 7. Brett Kimmorley 8. Ben Hannant 9. Michael Ennis 10. Chris Armit 11. Andrew Ryan (c) 12. Lee Te Maari 13. David Stagg
Interchange: 14. Ben Roberts 15. Michael Hodgson 16. John Kite 17. Nick Kouparitsas
Predicted finish:
9th-12th
…
Hope you enjoyed the very first NRL Live 2009 Season Preview! Please comment with your own thoughts. How will the Bulldogs go this year?
We’re working our way up the ladder, so coming up next will be the North Queensland Cowboys.
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Comment by Anonymous
9-12??
with a team like that,
they will make it to the top 6
Comment by ethos
NRL Live
The 'Dogs will improve this year thats for sure but I can't see them finishing ahead of the likes of Manly, Melbourne, New Zealand, Cronulla, Brisbane or even the Dragons. The could just sneak into the eight but I'm not that confident.
Only time will tell I suppose !
Comment by Anonymous
Comment by ethos
NRL Live
He'd more than likely be starting at prop in place of Armit but I remember reading that he'd be out for the start of the season with an injury of some sort.