Andrew Johns has pinpointed a lack of punch out of dummy-half as a major issue holding back the Bulldogs. Cameron Ciraldo’s side beat the Panthers 28-4 last Thursday night to cement third spot on the NRL ladder and lock in a double chance for the finals.
But their performance against a virtual reserve-grade team proved very underwhelming. The Panthers rested 16 players for the match, sending out a team that resembled their NSW Cup side.
With that in mind, the 28-4 scoreline was rather concerning for the Bulldogs ahead of the finals. Speaking on Channel 9 on Sunday, NRL Immortal Johns described the Bulldogs’ display as “poor”.
Johns highlighted a lack of running game from the Bulldogs’ dummy-halves, and said it makes the job of the defence much easier. Bailey Hayward had just two runs for eight metres in 54 minutes as the starting hooker, before Reed Mahoney failed to have a single run in 26 minutes.
Mahoney had been the starting hooker for the majority of the season, but lost his role to Hayward in recent weeks. But according to Johns, neither are posing enough of a running threat.
“I thought they were poor the other night,” Johns said. “Everyone was naturally saying ‘they’re going to win by 50’ going in. There was nothing out of dummy-half. No threat at all.
“It’s obviously a directive from the coaching, but the most simple and most dangerous spot to attack from is dummy-half. Look at Cronulla since Blayke Brailey started running. It takes pressure off the halves and straightens the attack. When you’re playing against an opposition and the big boys are tired, they’re praying for you to pass. They don’t want little blokes coming at them.”
Johns said he doesn’t think the Bulldogs can win the title this year, but said “there’s a premiership in the next couple of years.”
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