Veteran journalist Phil Rothfield says the Bulldogs made the wrong decision to replace Reed Mahoney with Bailey Hayward at hooker.
Back in Round 23, coach Cameron Ciraldo promoted Hayward to the starting hooker position, with Mahoney going back to the bench.
Mahoney played off the interchange for the remainder of the regular season, before being dropped from the team completely for the qualifying final loss to the Storm.
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“I think they’ve blundered,” Rothfield said on NRL 360 on Monday night.
“I think their decision to drop Reed Mahoney for Bailey Hayward is a mistake.
“Poor Bailey missed 13 tackles (against the Storm) and they’ve only got a 33 per cent win record with him there.
“With Reed Mahoney there they’ve got a 75 per cent record.
“It’s clear cut. They’re a better side with Reed Mahoney.
“It’s so clear it’s not funny.”
Rothfield highlighted the Bulldogs’ recent struggles for form, as they prepare to take on the Panthers in a blockbuster semi-final at Accor Stadium on Sunday.
“Canterbury are in all sorts,” Rothfield said.
“They have won four of their last nine games and (Ciraldo has) tried every trick to change that side.
“Now when I say they’ve won four, it’s really three, because they beat Penrith reserve grade (in Round 26, when the Panthers rested 16 players), so let’s make it three.”
Host Braith Anasta was concerned about Hayward’s defence.
“You can’t miss 13 tackles,” Anasta said.
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He believes the Bulldogs are lacking spark in attack.
“They were awesome on the weekend, through pure courage, determination,” Anasta said of his former club.
“It showed the solidarity there and the culture that they’ve got.
“They’re a team. They’re a club. But still, the finesse wasn’t there.”
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