They have signed players who work hard. This is why coaching isn't the silver bullet. These merkins need to be determined and disciplined at their core, or the work they are forced to do at training will be wasted somewhat. Work ethic is part of who we are, just like natural size, strength, speed and skill. It can be improved but only to a point. This is why big/fast/fit/skillful merkins who get arrested or banned keep getting second chances. The Dogs sacked a bunch of merkins and brought new ones in because turds can only be polished so much.
What you have to remember is the NRL pull strings. They want Dogs strong.
Start of year most tipped Manly,Storm,Panthers,Brisbane,Sharks,South,Roosters to be in the 8.
Dogs only had Roosters and Sharks twice of that 7.
It turns out Brisbane (if fit still a top 4 side) and Souths where weak and the Dolphins are in the 8 who they played also once. So of the current top 8 sides they've had to face Sharks and Roosters twice.
We got Penrith,Brisbane,Souths,Manly, Sharks,Roosters, Storm all twice. Along with the Dogs I guess.
As the ladder stands today we played the top 6 sides twice. And only Dolphins and Cowboys once. I'd much rather them then Brisbane x 2.
The NRL draw lacks integrity. It's why I feel 3 of the top 4 sides deserve it and 1 of them generaly had an easy draw . The 5th ranked side usually always deserves its place in the finals but Sides 6th -14th I don't think differ a whole lot in quality. Just easier draws, luck during games, injuries, Suspensions.
That's why sides can bounce back to top 8 so quickly or drop out.
It's the bottom 3 that generally take a while unless in our case you had a wicked draw, shit house coach , origin effected and bad injuries.