Round 11
Bulldogs 16 l. North Queensland Cowboys 26

2007 NRL Telstra Premiership Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

Location: Aus_NZ > National > First Grade Competition: NRL Telstra Premiership

'Speed Kills' as Cowboys little men destroy disappointing Bulldogs
Fri May 25, 2007
The problems at the Bulldogs were exposed tonight the Cowboys emerging comfortable 26-16 victors at Queensland's Suncorp Stadium in what was meant to be a Bulldogs home match.

It was the Cowboys superior speed, hunger, desire, commitment, respect and culture that got them home.

'Speed Kills' is the prime promotion of the RTA and the Bulldogs were absolutely killed by the Cowboys speed men, speed of play, speed of hunger and speed of mind.

The end result was no reflection on the difference between the two sides with North Queensland leading 24-0 at one stage before they clocked off. The performance of halfback Johnathon Thurston following Wednesday's State of Origin effort has again highlighted the Bulldogs problems when they had this superstar on their books only to let him go after the 2004 Grand Final. Thurston is now firmly established as the best footballer and goal kicker in the world with daylight absolutely second.

Thurston completely dominated and owned the match and whilst his performance deserves all the accolades, it's the Bulldogs dreadful performance that has to get all the attention.

A few weeks ago the Bulldogs defeated Newcastle 30-16 where they clocked off after racing to a 24-0 lead. The Bulldogs in their next three matches haven't seriously come close to winning and their lack of hunger and killer instinct is hurting them.

Why did the Bulldogs move this match to Brisbane? Are they a bland corporate company or a football club striving to win matches? No amounts of inflated Bulldog mascots can ever pretend to generate the atmosphere, advantage and fear factor that Belmore Sports Ground provided. Nothing can be manufactured and the Bulldogs should know that better than anyone.

The Cowboys led 12-0 at half-time with the first try coming to Matthew Bowen in the 14th minute when he had far too much pace for the Bulldogs cover defence when he backed up a break from impressive hooker Aaron Payne. The Cowboys second try came five minutes after Bowen's when Payne caught out the Bulldogs defence around the ruck with Shane Tronc going over from close to the line virtually untouched. The 12 points difference at the break flattered the Bulldogs as it should have been closer to 30 than 12.

Thurston was again in the action setting up Bowen's second try in the 43rd minute and Sione Faumuina backed up a Brenton Bowen break moments later for the Cowboys to race out to a 24-0 lead and thoughts of a half century scoreline were certainly on the cards.

North Queensland clocked off and allowed the Bulldogs to gain some kind of respect on the scorecard. Hazem El Masri crossed in the 54th minute and landed a sideline conversion to bring them within three converted tries.

Any remote chance the Bulldogs had of winning the clash was put out of bed when Thurston added yet another goal to push the difference to 20 points and not long after Tonga dropped the ball when running in the clear and no defenders on him. It was an elementry error that you might see in kids football and one that summed up the Bulldogs season and change of culture.

Andrew Emeilo and Andrew Ryan crossed for tries within two minutes to bring the Bulldogs back to less than two converted tries, but in the end the Cowboys through the sheer desperation of Thurston and the errors in the Bulldogs outfit held on to win 26-16. Thurston's desperation in attempting to stop the Ryan try showcased the difference between the attitude and culture of the two sides.

Thurston, Bowen and Payne as predicted before the match were the standouts for the Cowboys as these three little men tore the Bulldogs defence around the ruck area.

The Cowboys to their credit played what was in front of them and got the two points in professional fashion to remain in the top five.

Ryan, Brent Sherwin and Luke Patten were the only standouts for the 'visitors' in what was an extremely ordinary performance after two previous losses.

The Bulldogs do everything a yard slower than every other side and their poor recruitment and retention since Steve Mortimer's departure as Chief Executive in 2004 is now taking its toll. No club can afford to lose Steve Price, Thurston, Braith Anasta, Roy Asotasi and Mark O'Meley and recruit no one and not expect there to be ramifications on and off the field.

Unless there's a dramatic change in the Bulldogs style of football, speed of play, selections and structure than they are fast developing as serious wooden spoon contenders with only the Roosters, Dragons and possibly Panthers standing in their way.

What needs to happen on and off the field for the Bulldogs to regain the culture and success they once had?

Canberra have showed that if you have speed, enthusiasm, attitude and commitment than you're a chance of being successful no matter what name players you have in a club. Maybe the Bulldogs have to follow suit and there's no substitute for speed and that includes speed of play, speed of mine, speed of structure and line speed.

Have your say in here, on the Debate Page or in the Forums about what has to happen at the Bulldogs.


O'Meley named on six-man Bulldogs bench, Holdsworth dropped
Tue May 22, 2007
Source: www.bulldogs.com.au

Mitsubishi Electric Bulldogs coach Steve Folkes has made the following changes to the Bulldogs side which lost to the Sharks last Sunday.

Jarrad Hickey and Daniel Holdsworth make way for Andrew Ryan and Willie Mason who return from State of Origin duty. Hickey moves back to the interchange bench and Holdsworth drops to Premier League.

Jon Green moves back to Premier League.

Daryl Millard returns to the centres after missing last week with an ankle injury.

Andrew Emelio moves from the centres to the wing with Trent Cutler dropping back to Premier League.

Mark O'Meley and Nick Kouparitsas have been named on a six man bench. O'Meley returns from a quad injury.

The Bulldogs team to take on the Cowboys this Friday for the inaugural Reconciliation Cup at Suncorp Stadium is:

1. Luke Patten
2. Hazem El Masri
3. Daryl Millard
4. Willie Tonga
5. Andrew Emelio
6. Ben Roberts
7. Brent Sherwin
8. Chris Armit
9. Corey Hughes
10. Willie Mason
11. Sonny Bill Williams
12. Andrew Ryan (c)
13. Reni Maitua

Interchange:
14. Adam Perry
15. Lee Te Maari
16. Kane Cleal
17. Jarrad Hickey
19. Nick Kouparitsas
20. Mark O'Meley
(two to be omitted)

The Reconciliation Cup will commemorate the 40th anniversary of the 1967 referendum that voted to include indigenous Australians in the national census.

The match will also present an opportunity to celebrate the tremendous contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders to the game of rugby league.

News sent by: www.bulldogs.com.au

Tue January 9, 2007
• Bulldogs home game at Suncorp
  
Sun January 7, 2007
• Bulldogs move Cowboys match to Brisbane
  

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