The Bulldogs have been urged to bring Stephen Crichton back into the team at right centre after they delivered their best performance under Cameron Ciraldo in an upset 32-16 win over the Panthers.
The Panthers came into the clash unbeaten with many questioning if they would lose a game this season, but the Bulldogs gave them a taste of their own medicine.
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Crichton has been listed to return via the reserves against the Eels in Round 7, as he nears a miracle comeback from a serious shoulder injury.
However, Bronson Xerri now fills his spot at left centre, with Enari Tuala on the right.
Xerri has only just returned to the team having been moved to right centre earlier in the season and then dropped for Tuala, with Crichton starting the year on the left.
However, the Bulldogs struggled to get Crichton involved on the left, which is why Braith Anasta feels he must return on the right in place of Tuala.
“What I found interesting and it’s going to be a watch this space moment is Stephen Crichton whether he plays this weekend and comes back from injury, do they put him back on the right?” Anasta said on NRL 360.
“Do they put him on the left? Do they leave Xerri there? What do they do with Tuala? I’d put him back right.
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“They were so worried about Crichton not getting enough ball and having a voice and putting him at five-eighth to get more touches.
“He didn’t play on the weekend and they played their best game you could argue they’ve ever played under Ciraldo, so what does that say?
“That says, leave him on the right side, Kikau saw more quality ball, get the ball to Crichton, don’t bring Crichton to the ball, you don’t need to. That’s not how you win premierships.”
Anasta clarified he is a massive fan of Crichton, but warned against trying to overcomplicate their game plan now that the Panthers win has shown them what works.
“Crichton is a gem, I love him to death, put Crichton on the right side, Xerri on the left,” Anasta said.
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Crawley slams Eels leaky defence | 06:30
“You could see the continuity, the balance and the way that they played with the structures they had on the weekend, it really just came down to Galvin playing more square, great kicking game, not over playing his hand, running at the right moments, Burton doing his job, getting Kikau early ball.
“So they know the secret to success and the recipe now. They don’t need to overthink it, don’t over analyse it. They’ve got the team, go straight through the front door.”
Paul Crawley noted it was also telling that the Bulldogs took Sean O’Sullivan off the bench, which gave Burton and Galvin full confidence they were going to play the full game in the halves.
“They also made a decision to leave Sean O’Sullivan off the bench too, which while they won’t admit it, we could see that that was causing a bit of confusion, especially with Burton,” Crawley said.
‘club needs to make the change’ Crawley | 03:19
“And on the weekend it was like they were all clear about what their job was.”
Meanwhile, The Daily Telegraph’s Dave Riccio revealed the Bulldogs have re-signed Connor Tracey on a two-year extension, ruling them out of the race to sign Tigers star Jahream Bula.
“Connor Tracey has agreed to new terms and been extended for a further two seasons,” Riccio said.
“He’s been a consistent performer for the club. He was off-contract at the end of this year, I understand it will be formally announced on Wednesday.
“But it is good news for the Bulldogs and just cements their spine going forward.”
Anasta interjected: “Does it mean they are out of the race for Bula?”
“Rule a line through it,” Riccio said.
“Gone. In Connor Tracey we trust.”
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