Could be one of the games of the year. Ciraldo in my eyes is already coach on the year(just in front of Stick) for what he’s done with the Bulldogs. They were getting towelled up almost every week in his first year but had a vision, stuck to his vision, and molded a team built on stern defence , bucking the trend of having big forwards. Very handy to have Gus as a sounding board too.
Coach Seibold had an epiphany and finally moved Garrick back to his proper position of wing after about 2 years. A serviceable fullback and centre. An elite winger. Probably only happened due to Turbo moving to centre but at least in happened.Normally a sharpshooter , maybe he could use a few kicking lessons with someone like Graeme Arnold (if he’s around…he is currently head coach of the Iraq national football team)
Bulldogs supporters might be suffering from PTSD after seeing Koula scoring last week. Scoring that late try to knock the Bulldogs out of contention last year would have really stung. DCE , Turbo and Koula combined to scupper the Dogs’ hopes. And those are the 3 danger players for the Dogs again.
The Bulldogs couldn't wait to attack the Garrick/Saab combo in last years final. And it worked a treat after only a few minutes. But that side is stiffened with Turbo’s presence. Saab has the same problems as DWZ and Sloan in defence or rushing in to “help” his centre and leaving a saloon passage for his opposite winger to score. Never ceases to amaze me how often this happens across the NRL. It you let your opposite winger score in the 1970s and 1980’s like that you’d never get another game. But today it’s all about the combo jamming in and working together. Useless in my opinion. Might shut down the occasional raid but usually results in the opposition winger scoring untouched.
As the Broncos showed earlier in the year, the Bulldogs are vulnerable to mobile players running in behind the ptb from 1 or 2 passes wide of the ruck. Haumole is perfect for this on the right and Koula on the left. Bullemore as well with his leg speed. Early ball to Koula/Turbo/Haumole should be the order of the day. Preferably with Haumole on the burst rather than a standing start.
DCE’s kicking game was good last week and Manly will need more of the same. The early kick to turn the Bulldogs around should be on the menu. Targeting the space between Galvin and Crichton with Hoppa or Turbo out the back might reap rewards. Especially with Turbo popping up on both sides of the field.
Manly aren’t exactly known for their consistency though , so purely for that reason I’m tipping the Bulldogs by 6
