Clearly Luke Brooks by the length of the straight
next year we have
9 Api
7 Brooks
6 Douhie
13 Hastings
we need a fullback
that is a good spine
I keep changing my mind but I'd have
9 Api
7 Hastings
6 Brooks
13 AD
I understand the thinking behind swapping the 6 & 7 numbers around with Brooks and Hastings, but I think it makes zero difference the way we play. 90% of our attack Brooks is the half on the left, Hastings the half on the right. Occassionaly...very occassionally they play together but who gets it first changes. 6 or 7 makes zero difference.
Sometimes I really wish our club management would protect and defend our players and coaches like this:
🚨‘He asked me for permission’: Gus drops Barrett bombshell amid heat over Dogs’ Flanagan call🚨
Phil Gould has revealed he is behind the Bulldogs’ decision to bring Kyle Flanagan back into the 17 for Sunday’s clash with the reigning premiers.
Bulldogs coach Trent Barrett has copped plenty of heat ever since he named Flanagan in the No.7 jersey on Tuesday.
Flanagan endured a rocky start to his time in Belmore last season.
He became emotional when fronting the media days after being benched midgame. Then later that afternoon he was left out of Barrett’s 17 completely for that round.
Flanagan was recalled later in the season before being axed again and then recalled again.
Barrett went with Jake Averillo for the first two rounds before axing him in favour of Brandon Wakeham. But after a 44-nil thrashing for the Storm the Bulldogs have changed their halves again — this time with Flanagan coming in to partner Matt Burton.
Barrett has been accused of having no duty of care for Flanagan and throwing him to the wolves.
However, speaking on Six Tackles with Gus, Gould threw his support behind Flanagan before revealing that it was ultimately him who had the final call on the 23-year-old’s return to the top grade.
“You’d like to think that from now on, Kyle Flanagan can establish himself as the No.1 playmaker in our club and hold on to the No.7 jersey for as long as possible,” he said.
“That’s what he has been bought to do, that’s what he’s been trained to do.
“Now, I think he’s come giant strides in the last month, he’s gone back to reserve grade, played a game that’s more fitting for him rather than come into a system to serve other players.
“When he returns to the first grade side this week, it’s not about Kyle Flanagan fitting in with Matt Burton and the rest of the team; it’s about the rest of the team fitting in with Kyle Flanagan, let me tell you.
“Kyle Flanagan will play his game and we’ll adapt to that. That’s what you do when you have a chief playmaker, Kyle Flanagan will be the chief playmaker in the side.
“Right now, from what I’ve seen over the last 18 months, he’s more ready now than what he has ever been.
“There is absolutely no pressure on him this weekend, this is not a one-off, not a perform-or perish type situation. He’s been given time to relax, he’s been given time away from the spotlight, he’s been given time to find his game and find his legs again. He’s produced some outstanding numbers on the weekend.
“This rubbish that he’s thrown to the wolves — what’s the alternative? Kyle Flanagan is not a rookie, he’s turned 24 this year, he’s played 43 first-grade games … Kyle Flanagan is the best credentialed, the most experienced and the best prepared of all the halfbacks in our club to take on this role, not only for this week but into the future.
“That’s been the program he’s been on since I arrived here last October. I’ve included his father, his manager and Kyle in all of those conversations along the way.
“It’s not Trent Barrett who has made a decision on when he comes back to first grade. Trent wanted him in the side, but he came and asked me for permission to do it. I could have easily said no if I didn’t think he was ready. I said yes.”
Gould also revealed that he had a two-hour meeting with Flanagan after the trials.
“I said at the moment, ‘I don’t think the NRL is the place for you, I don’t think you can help the team and you can’t help them at the moment. But we need to reset you career and that could mean some time in reserve grade,’” he said.
Flanagan has been impressive for the undefeated Dogs in New South Wales Cup over the last month. Just last week he scored a try, set up another, ran for 135 metres and had two linebreaks.
Both Barrett and Gould have been keeping a close eye on him in reserve grade and the latter has now given the OK to play him.
“So it’s my responsibility for how Kyle has been prepared for this season and when he comes back into the NRL,” Gould said.
“Not Trent Barrett, not the Bulldogs. That’s me. If (the club’s critics) want to come at me with duty of care and coaching and development of players — and I’ve developed a few players in my career — then I’m happy to debate them anywhere, anytime.
“But this vitriolic and vehement attack on our coach and on the club, it won’t be tolerated. If they want to come at anyone, come at me.
“Kyle Flanagan doesn’t need this type of pressure coming into the game. He’s under no pressure from us and no pressure when he plays for us. It’s not up to Kyle Flanagan to turn us around, hopefully we can be part of the process of helping Kyle Flanagan become a regular NRL player.
“If this kid’s name was Kyle Smith, do you think we would be going through this? I can tell you mentally, physically and football wise, he’s the best he’s been in a long time.”
Sometimes I really wish our club management would protect and defend our players and coaches like this:
🚨‘He asked me for permission’: Gus drops Barrett bombshell amid heat over Dogs’ Flanagan call🚨
Phil Gould has revealed he is behind the Bulldogs’ decision to bring Kyle Flanagan back into the 17 for Sunday’s clash with the reigning premiers.
Bulldogs coach Trent Barrett has copped plenty of heat ever since he named Flanagan in the No.7 jersey on Tuesday.
Flanagan endured a rocky start to his time in Belmore last season.
He became emotional when fronting the media days after being benched midgame. Then later that afternoon he was left out of Barrett’s 17 completely for that round.
Flanagan was recalled later in the season before being axed again and then recalled again.
Barrett went with Jake Averillo for the first two rounds before axing him in favour of Brandon Wakeham. But after a 44-nil thrashing for the Storm the Bulldogs have changed their halves again — this time with Flanagan coming in to partner Matt Burton.
Barrett has been accused of having no duty of care for Flanagan and throwing him to the wolves.
However, speaking on Six Tackles with Gus, Gould threw his support behind Flanagan before revealing that it was ultimately him who had the final call on the 23-year-old’s return to the top grade.
“You’d like to think that from now on, Kyle Flanagan can establish himself as the No.1 playmaker in our club and hold on to the No.7 jersey for as long as possible,” he said.
“That’s what he has been bought to do, that’s what he’s been trained to do.
“Now, I think he’s come giant strides in the last month, he’s gone back to reserve grade, played a game that’s more fitting for him rather than come into a system to serve other players.
“When he returns to the first grade side this week, it’s not about Kyle Flanagan fitting in with Matt Burton and the rest of the team; it’s about the rest of the team fitting in with Kyle Flanagan, let me tell you.
“Kyle Flanagan will play his game and we’ll adapt to that. That’s what you do when you have a chief playmaker, Kyle Flanagan will be the chief playmaker in the side.
“Right now, from what I’ve seen over the last 18 months, he’s more ready now than what he has ever been.
“There is absolutely no pressure on him this weekend, this is not a one-off, not a perform-or perish type situation. He’s been given time to relax, he’s been given time away from the spotlight, he’s been given time to find his game and find his legs again. He’s produced some outstanding numbers on the weekend.
“This rubbish that he’s thrown to the wolves — what’s the alternative? Kyle Flanagan is not a rookie, he’s turned 24 this year, he’s played 43 first-grade games … Kyle Flanagan is the best credentialed, the most experienced and the best prepared of all the halfbacks in our club to take on this role, not only for this week but into the future.
“That’s been the program he’s been on since I arrived here last October. I’ve included his father, his manager and Kyle in all of those conversations along the way.
“It’s not Trent Barrett who has made a decision on when he comes back to first grade. Trent wanted him in the side, but he came and asked me for permission to do it. I could have easily said no if I didn’t think he was ready. I said yes.”
Gould also revealed that he had a two-hour meeting with Flanagan after the trials.
“I said at the moment, ‘I don’t think the NRL is the place for you, I don’t think you can help the team and you can’t help them at the moment. But we need to reset you career and that could mean some time in reserve grade,’” he said.
Flanagan has been impressive for the undefeated Dogs in New South Wales Cup over the last month. Just last week he scored a try, set up another, ran for 135 metres and had two linebreaks.
Both Barrett and Gould have been keeping a close eye on him in reserve grade and the latter has now given the OK to play him.
“So it’s my responsibility for how Kyle has been prepared for this season and when he comes back into the NRL,” Gould said.
“Not Trent Barrett, not the Bulldogs. That’s me. If (the club’s critics) want to come at me with duty of care and coaching and development of players — and I’ve developed a few players in my career — then I’m happy to debate them anywhere, anytime.
“But this vitriolic and vehement attack on our coach and on the club, it won’t be tolerated. If they want to come at anyone, come at me.
“Kyle Flanagan doesn’t need this type of pressure coming into the game. He’s under no pressure from us and no pressure when he plays for us. It’s not up to Kyle Flanagan to turn us around, hopefully we can be part of the process of helping Kyle Flanagan become a regular NRL player.
“If this kid’s name was Kyle Smith, do you think we would be going through this? I can tell you mentally, physically and football wise, he’s the best he’s been in a long time.”
Agree Steve, get on the front foot.
Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers!
@helmesy love Gould or not - this is very protective of his footy department. He explains the clubs position beautifully and he puts the media jerks well and truly in their place
Until they drop him again or flog him off......
No one is protecting Averillo or Wakeham.
lol.. Sheens, Pascoe, Madge even Hagipantelis have all supported Brooks publicly ..that just doesn't fit with the desire to punt the kid..
Why am I always looking for Option C ??
I'm leaning towards Madden ......Brooks has had many years to cement his spot
I think we should be throwing everything we’ve got at Munster.
Something fishy with Munster .....Melbourne wanting him to take a pay cut ....Redcliffe Brisbane or the Cows not chasing hard for him
Maybe he is unfixable off field wise .....someone mentioned to me a while ago maybe he is an alcoholic ....explains a bit ....
I’m not sure what the issue is, he’s a hell of a player though. Given where we are we don’t really have much to lose. I’d be going hard at him. He’s a winner.
I think we've got other priorities than throw the kitchen sink at Munster, but i'd love to have him. He's such a competitor - imagine him, Doueihi and Hastings taking the team by the scruff.
lol.. Sheens, Pascoe, Madge even Hagipantelis have all supported Brooks publicly ..that just doesn't fit with the desire to punt the kid..
I would like think that this is to try and maintain some value for the player and thus reduce the $$ that we contribute.
Just like Mbye, I hope we find a way resolve the Brooks puzzle for both parties sake.
Based on What I see in Madden, There's a ton of upside.
Resign him ASAP
Andrew Johns with some interesting comments on Brooks.
https://www.theage.com.au/sport/nrl/joey-concerned-for-brooks-tigers-future-20220417-p5ae0t.html
Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers!
@spartan117 we have Brooks Hastings Douhie we do not need Madden
Newcastle still don't have a halfback and would still like Brooks I'm sure. Especially if they lose Ponga they might end up with a Brooks Munster halves combo or lose Ponga and take Brooks Munster Walsh and be miles ahead at 6 7 and 1
Newcastle still don't have a halfback and would still like Brooks I'm sure. Especially if they lose Ponga they might end up with a Brooks Munster halves combo or lose Ponga and take Brooks Munster Walsh and be miles ahead at 6 7 and 1
I’d have Reece Walsh over Ponga (taking $ into account) any day. I reckon he’s a star in the making.
Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers!
would love
1. Walsh
3. Douhie
6. Brooks
7. Madden
9. Api
13. Hastings
