Tactics versus the Bulldogs

[driftout]

The Bulldogs usually bring their off-side game to Brookvale which partly explains their reasonable success here in recent times. Their defensive line often jumps the gun and they are invariably offside when defending their line (more blatantly than any other team in my opinion). Their markers split early on the last tackle (often Ennis and Reynolds) to put pressure on the kicker and they have 4 renowned milkers of penalties (Ennis/Reynolds/Perrett and Hodkinson).

Perrett and Inu are notorious for walking way off the mark before playing the ball to take the tacklers out of the next play. The players need to protest every time it happens because it leaves the defensive line skinny. Klemmer , Kasiano and Tony Williams are probably their worst defenders , especially against angled runners and players with a bit of footwork. DCE (if he plays), Buhrer and even Hiku might have success darting from dummy half if these defenders are around the ruck.

An attacking grubber in behind the defensive line early in the set might also keep the defensive line honest . It's hard to attack the Bulldogs when you're close to their line as one pass wide of the ruck you will find their players already in your backline. They take more than their share of intercepts due to their offside goal-line defence. Most of the time an attacking set close to their line consists of one out hit ups then a kick. A good short kicking game is paramount against them.

As usual the speed of the play the ball and the policing of the offside rule will be the biggest determining factors and these are both unfortunately at the referees' discretion .

 

[HappilyManly]

I'm hoping that their halves save themselves for a potential historic SOO win

Its going to be a heavy track as there has been lots of late night rain here.

 

[Go manly]

I haven't done much coaching but my tactics would be to score more points than them.

 

[StuBoot]

The Bulldogs usually bring their off-side game to Brookvale which partly explains their reasonable success here in recent times. Their defensive line often jumps the gun and they are invariably offside when defending their line (more blatantly than any other team in my opinion). Their markers split early on the last tackle (often Ennis and Reynolds) to put pressure on the kicker and they have 4 renowned milkers of penalties (Ennis/Reynolds/Perrett and Hodkinson).

Perrett and Inu are notorious for walking way off the mark before playing the ball to take the tacklers out of the next play. The players need to protest every time it happens because it leaves the defensive line skinny. Klemmer , Kasiano and Tony Williams are probably their worst defenders , especially against angled runners and players with a bit of footwork. DCE (if he plays), Buhrer and even Hiku might have success darting from dummy half if these defenders are around the ruck.

An attacking grubber in behind the defensive line early in the set might also keep the defensive line honest . It's hard to attack the Bulldogs when you're close to their line as one pass wide of the ruck you will find their players already in your backline. They take more than their share of intercepts due to their offside goal-line defence. Most of the time an attacking set close to their line consists of one out hit ups then a kick. A good short kicking game is paramount against them.

As usual the speed of the play the ball and the policing of the offside rule will be the biggest determining factors and these are both unfortunately at the referees' discretion .

For some reason, a few seasons ago we used to play just like that too.

 

[MadMarcus]

Just run at T Rex all day.

 

[Fluffy]

I haven't done much coaching but my tactics would be to score more points than them.

I have done plenty and this is a crazy tactic that rarely pays off.

You need to ensure they score less points than you, that is the key.

 

[bones]

Just run at T Rex all day.

Then they'd all be tired by kick off time. Wouldn't work mate.

 

[panash]

this tactic always works , & will work well for the scumdogs...

ask them to stand in a straight line and tackle a bus going at 100km

 

[manlyfan76]

1 kick long and turn them around.
2 kick long and turn them around.
3 kick long and turn them around.
4 kick long and turn them around.
5 run at the tired forwards.

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Repeat.

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Repeat

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Repeat.

 

[mickqld]

Just bash the living s..t out of them.

 

[Las Vegas Blvd]

The way to beat the Bulldogs is to ping it to the backs early and a good kicking game

 

[Killer03]

Got to use their major strength as a weakness. And to me it is the size of their forwards. If you let them dictate terms with a monster pack they will really hurt us. If you keep making them work, suddenly they aren't so effective. T-Rex is the classic point in case, make him do 3 or 4 tackles in a row. Ok the player making the first run mightn't like it, but get Buhrer and Ballin etc showing some silky footwork, then he'll be blowing like Monica Lewinksy.

And don't take a backward step. The Dogs are your typical bullyboy (technical term from Neil in the Young Ones) team. If you let them take the p###, they will. Stand up and get into them, and yes they'll fight too, but they realize it's not one way traffic.

I still maintain their backline is not great. Man for man we are far superior, so if we can match them in the forwards, get good go forward, our backs should outshine theirs. Especially with Josh Morris missing.

 

[Clint]

I haven't done much coaching but my tactics would be to score more points than them.

I reckon you're on to something GM. I'm with you.

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

1 kick long and turn them around.
2 kick long and turn them around.
3 kick long and turn them around.
4 kick long and turn them around.
5 run at the tired forwards.

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Repeat.

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Repeat

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Repeat.

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Good plan but it may be a bit too complex, don't want our guys to get confused out there.

 

[ManlyBacker]

Smash them. Smash them some more. Win game.

 

[driftout]

The other questionable tactic used by the Bulldogs this year is the Cumberland throw. Graham injured Lousi a few weeks ago by using his leg as a fulcrum to wrestle Lousi to the ground. Kasiano used the same method to backslam JWH when they played the Roosters. Both recipients had to leave the field and the silence from the MRC was deafening. It's obviously a deliberate tactic brought in to get a resistant ball carrier to the ground (instead of resorting to a 3rd man in cannonball tackle below the knees). There were a number of these tackles by the Bulldogs against the Roosters , so hopefully they are on the referees' tip sheets.

 

[ssar]

Yes, make thier forwards work, turn around etc. and don't let them dominate.

Mistake-free, solid footy, with solid team defence and a range of good kicks including some surprises.

Go Manly!

 

[maxta]

Cut down the offloads & control ruck speed, locking up the big men, numbers in tackles, roll them & test the ground time with refs.
Play their game with tip ons in that ruck, using speed as opposed to power to work the big pack over.
Quality kick & CHASE game is imperative.
Smash that Reynolds & Ennis....they make me sick!!

 

[bob dylan]

Be lucky to restrict them to 40 points with our "pop gun" pack up against the best pack in the nrl.

If only Gift was playing! He thrives on these sorts of games, and up against monster packs.

 

[driftout]

The Bulldogs usually bring their off-side game to Brookvale which partly explains their reasonable success here in recent times. Their defensive line often jumps the gun and they are invariably offside when defending their line (more blatantly than any other team in my opinion). Their markers split early on the last tackle (often Ennis and Reynolds) to put pressure on the kicker and they have 4 renowned milkers of penalties (Ennis/Reynolds/Perrett and Hodkinson).

Perrett and Inu are notorious for walking way off the mark before playing the ball to take the tacklers out of the next play. The players need to protest every time it happens because it leaves the defensive line skinny. Klemmer , Kasiano and Tony Williams are probably their worst defenders , especially against angled runners and players with a bit of footwork. DCE (if he plays), Buhrer and even Hiku might have success darting from dummy half if these defenders are around the ruck.

An attacking grubber in behind the defensive line early in the set might also keep the defensive line honest . It's hard to attack the Bulldogs when you're close to their line as one pass wide of the ruck you will find their players already in your backline. They take more than their share of intercepts due to their offside goal-line defence. Most of the time an attacking set close to their line consists of one out hit ups then a kick. A good short kicking game is paramount against them.

As usual the speed of the play the ball and the policing of the offside rule will be the biggest determining factors and these are both unfortunately at the referees' discretion .

We saw the Bulldogs offside play tonight , the outrageous ruck slowing antics which largely went un-penalised , Perrett walking off the mark (and being warned by the referee for doing so but not penalised) , nice angled running especially by Buhrer and a good short kicking game from Snake , DCE and Foz. The attack deteriorated noticeably when DCE was taken off after that cheap shot by Kasiano. Kasiano will definitely get suspended for that .