The Bulldogs rocketed into premiership contention with their statement win on Good Friday, but concerns have been raised whether they possess the “x-factor” to win a comp.
Through seven rounds, there’s no question that the unbeaten Bulldogs have been the most impressive team in the NRL, which has been built on an astonishingly stout defence.
Cameron Ciraldo’s men shut-out the Bunnies on Friday and the Knights before a bye in between. In six games, the Bulldogs have conceded just 58 points (9.66 per game).
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While their defence will win them a lot of games and could carry the club to a preliminary or grand final, questions have been asked of their attack.
NRL360 co-host Braith Anasta says he needs to see that area of the Bulldogs’ game improve.
“Their defence will hold them in good stead and they’ve no doubt moved into premiership contention,” Anasta said.
“ (Ciraldo) is an incredible coach. He’s everything he’s been hammed up to be and they’ll win a premiership within four years but I still think there’s room for improvement in attack.
“Even on the weekend, it wasn’t where it needed to be and I think they just got through with a simple game plan.
“They still made a number of errors and I still don’t know if they have that big game x-factor.”
The Bulldogs’ first choice spine is half made up of players unwanted by their former club just two years ago.
Connor Tracey (fullback) and Toby Sexton (halfback) have both been unexpected revelations over the past two seasons while Matt Burton (five-eighth) and Reed Mahoney (hooker) are established stars.
While the form of Tracey and Sexton can’t be shirked at, at this point in time, they aren’t names that are putting the fear of god into other premiership contenders.
Veteran journalist Brent Read said that the Bulldogs’ spine is the “concern” he has with the teams.
“If I’ve got one concern it’s just that I think when the whips are cracking in September, the spine will dictate whether you win the comp or not and I just think that that spine, whether you stack it up against Melbourne or Penrith, I’m not sure it’s on the same level,” Read said on NRL360.
“I’m with you. That is the big question mark,” Anasta replied.
“I’m not saying they can’t do it but that is the big question mark hanging over them as when you get to the big bright lights at the end of he year, you need to come up with big plays when the defence of the opposition is a hell of a lot better.”
When The Daily Telegraph’s Phil Rothfield noted how well the Bulldogs have defended in addition to their unbeaten form despite missing players like Burton and star back rower Viliame Kikau, Anasta stuck firm, noting what unfolded in last year’s decider.
“You’re making this dramatic. It’s not that we don’t think they can do it, I think they can. But that’s going to be the big question mark and that’s that little element you need to win premierships,” Anasta said.
“You saw last year, Melbourne taking on Penrith in the grand final. Penrith is a different team (to the Bulldogs) but Melbourne, who have the best spine in the game, struggled to score points because teams are better in the finals and on grand final day.”
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