We need DCE. Simples!

[milanja]

we didn't try to seduce Ben Hunt for the hell of it

Let’s hope DCE isn’t as much as a flop as hunt has been..

[Vasco]

Let’s hope DCE isn’t as much as a flop as hunt has been..

Hunt is the eternal flop.

[Steakface]

That becomes a problem when your 7(Savala or DCE) are thinking 2 and 3 sets ahead. Sammy demands the ball on the 2nd tackle and pulls the trigger only to turn possession over on your own 40 meter line. Momentum swings, the opposition scores and now you're behind the 8 ball.

Sammy can't have free rein imo. He needs to work within the parameters that maximises the teams chances of winning. Fark ups are more consequential in the 6 again era. An element of structure has never been more important imo. This starts with your halves.

Yes, I don't think Sammy can have free rein.

Quite simply due to the modern rules as you've pointed out.

If paired with Savala, it probably make more sense to have Walker in a traditional running role as a 6.

With Savala as the dominant half playing much more strictly to the structure.

Rather than left side/right side halves.

I believe that is how Maloney & Pearce used to operate.

It's probably not black and white in fairness. There is a need to somewhat mitigate the risk element of Walker's play, but not to any large extent that it ruins what makes him great.

[Bates]

Yes, I don't think Sammy can have free rein.

Quite simply due to the modern rules as you've pointed out.

If paired with Savala, it probably make more sense to have Walker in a traditional running role as a 6.

With Savala as the dominant half playing much more strictly to the structure.

Rather than left side/right side halves.

I believe that is how Maloney & Pearce used to operate.

It's probably not black and white in fairness. There is a need to somewhat mitigate the risk element of Walker's play, but not to any large extent that it ruins what makes him great.

100%.

Walker will refine his game and become more selective as he develops. He's only 23 and with a high ceiling.

He's potentially better suited to playing 6 and without the burden of the dominant playmaker role. This is now becoming clearer!

[Roosterfarian]

100%.

Walker will refine his game and become more selective as he develops.

Not sure about that Batesy mun. He’s been in the team for years now and from all reports, he feels stifled playing a structured game in attack. I can’t see him locking away his ad-lib play even as he gets older. Its just in his dna. He wants to put on a try on every play even its an early tackle.

Just my opinion, it’ll win you games but not premierships. I much prefer having some structure in your attack and hence why I prefer those types of halves ala Cronk. Look through the history of premiership winning teams and 90% are built on solid structured play rather than adlib footy e.g Melbs, Panthers, our previous winning teams and Bennett coached premiership winning teams.

[Bates]

Not sure about that Batesy mun. He’s been in the team for years now and from all reports, he feels stifled playing a structured game in attack. I can’t see him locking away his ad-lib play even as he gets older. Its just in his dna. He wants to put on a try on every play even its an early tackle.

Just my opinion, it’ll win you games but not premierships. I much prefer having some structure in your attack and hence why I prefer those types of halves ala Cronk. Look through the history of premiership winning teams and 90% are built on solid structured play rather than adlib footy e.g Melbs, Panthers, our previous winning teams and Bennett coached premiership winning teams.

Hey mate yeah. This is his challenge I guess and I agree that it'll win you games but not comps.

I find the Bulldogs halves situation very interesting! They were on top of the ladder with Sexton however realised that they weren't scoring enough points to potentially win a comp. They target and sign a 19 year old kid for $750k a year who couldn't tie Sammy's laces. Looking forward to seeing how it all pans out.

[BondiBob]

Our defence cost us last night. We really missed NButch, Rads, Billy and Hugo. Bad timing the the latter three.

No idea what Leniu brings to the team. Target Tino if he decides to leave the Titans and get rid of this bloke.

DCE wouldn't have saved us last night if he got ruled out for most of the game. We would be exactly where we were last night.

Amazing if Toups doesn't drop that ball then everyone is sweet.

FFS

Unfortunately we have been weak the last 20 minutes all season and somehow nothing has been done to fix the problem. Agree about Lenui he is a bench player and not a starter another recruitment blunder like Brandon Smith trying to turn players into something they aren’t that better coaches than Robinson could see

[ccfc bondi]

Absolutely could not disagree more!

We lost our five-eighth early in the game and still should've pulled it off. Defence has been the major problem. Sandon Smith has improved out of sight and he has a great step, and Savala has been a revelation. Both of these halves need more time to mature and will be needed throughout the year. Buying an ageing, slowing half-back who has just been dropped from State-of-Origin for one year is going to do nothing but interrupt that develpment!

[ism22]

Absolutely could not disagree more!

We lost our five-eighth early in the game and still should've pulled it off. Defence has been the major problem. Sandon Smith has improved out of sight and he has a great step, and Savala has been a revelation. Both of these halves need more time to mature and will be needed throughout the year. Buying an ageing, slowing half-back who has just been dropped from State-of-Origin for one year is going to do nothing but interrupt that develpment!

I guess a bit like how having a bloke in his 30's who's just been dropped from state of origin (for a bald IT guy none the less) has destroyed the development of Toia. Mark N and B-Smizzle.

IDK! I reckon stars are stars and if Sandon/Hugo are outperforming DCE then they'll get picked. Similarly, Dom Young was a marquee signing and Walker was a prodigal youngster. Both got dropped due to form. Add Chad to that picture... a journeyman to steady the whip as opposed to a leader.

DCE will either carve up and deliver us a premiership or he won't. Assuming we even sign him!

[milanja]

DCE ordinary in attack and defence today, did exactly what Sammy did by trying a kick on the 3rd, dogs pluck it out of the air, two plays later DCE is is caught grasping at thin air for a bulldogs try.

let’s see if his calm head can get them back in the game.

[Inflictor]

DCE ordinary in attack and defence today, did exactly what Sammy did by trying a kick on the 3rd, dogs pluck it out of the air, two plays later DCE is is caught grasping at thin air for a bulldogs try.

let’s see if his calm head can get them back in the game.

Hey he got a 40/20.
More than our three halves combined got this weekend.

FFS

[gragra]

DCE ordinary in attack and defence today, did exactly what Sammy did by trying a kick on the 3rd, dogs pluck it out of the air, two plays later DCE is is caught grasping at thin air for a bulldogs try.

let’s see if his calm head can get them back in the game.

Yes if DCE is our saviour, shame Manly with their season on the line are being led around the park so poorly. Unfortunately we need more than a DCE to make 2026 decent.

[Bates]

The Bulldogs pumped Manly yet Manly beat the Storm last round. The Storm side that they beat were considerably stronger than the one that beat us.

It’s s very open comp this year.

[Rooster_6]

Savala Vs DCE next Sunday...

Let's have it.

[SamKerrSimp]

The first thing I saw in the game was DCE kick the ball straight in to the breadbasket of a Bulldogs player from 5m out lol