NRL 2014 season previews: Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs

Last year's somewhat ordinary ending to Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs' season most likely rated as below average to the Doggies' faithful, but hindsight can reveal one of many silver linings to the campaign.
They battled countless injuries to star players, not to mention James Graham's suspension for biting Melbourne Storm's Billy Slater in the 2012 grand final and the Ben Barba incident which has seen the "X-Factor" leave Channel 7 for the promised northern land of Brisbane.
The absence of the regular stars the Bulldogs depend on every week allowed the unearthing of several players who all have big futures.

FULLBACKS
After enjoying the services of one of the best fullbacks in the competition it is easy to dismiss whoever jumps into the custodian role.
Drury Low, Sam Perrett, Pat Templeman, Josh Morris, Mitch Brown and Tyrone Phillips all shape as handy replacements if they remain fit, with Templeman having the extra bonus of being an accomplished goalkicker.

CENTRES
The Bulldogs have several options for the centres but one certainty is Josh Morris. The NSW State of Origin centre, who had some of his best seasons in 2012 and '13 marking Greg Inglis, is the first name Des Hasler writes on the team sheet.
The other centre spot allows for some experimentation from Hasler, with much depending on who he selects at fullback and the wings.
Tim Lafai has already had some experience in the top grade, with Krisnan Inu a natural fit if he stays injury-free, or he isn't picked on the wing or at fullback. Mitch Brown is another option in the centre though will most likely be picked on the flank if selected at all, but my money is on new signing Chase Stanley to take the spot - again, if he remains injury-free.
A left-field option is the under-performing Tony Williams who has been ineffectual for most of his time at the Bulldogs. It would require a move from the second row but it could help build the big man's confidence while adding plenty of size out wide.

WINGERS
Most of the wing options have been covered in the fullback and centre positions.
If he is not selected at fullback then expect Sam Perrett to get the nod on one flank. He spent most, if not all, of his time at the Roosters on the wing, and is a natural finisher. Options for the other wing include Lafai, Low, Brown and Inu, with Templeman a outside chance depending on how he handles the jump in class from Holden Cup.

HALVES
Josh Reynolds is the key to Bulldogs success.
Rewarded with State of Origin selection last season (despite warming the bench for the full 80 minutes of Game I), Reynolds is one of the next generation's best halves. He can cover five-eighth, halfback and hooker, and will most likely cover five-eighth.
His combination with Trent Hodkinson will be vital to the Bulldogs' chances, especially given there is no obvious replacement. Hodkinson moved from Manly Sea Eagles with Des Hasler, and carried mush of the Bulldogs' hopes on his shoulders. He carries an impressive which includes Queensland Cup's player of the year award in 2009. and has represented as high as City Origin. It is that form he will need display every week of 2014, and if he and Reynolds combine as well as the Bulldogs' faithful hope, they could be a big improver.

HOOKERS
One of the competition's biggest niggler's Michael Ennis holds a mortgage on this one.
The former State of Origin representative has excelled ever since being handed the captaincy, and an extra year of experience and maturity will only hope his and his team's performances in 2014.
Since the only risk to his jersey (apart from injury) Joel Romelo moved to Melbourne Storm, his only rival is Josh Reynolds, and there is little to no chance he will be shifted from the halves.

FRONT-ROWERS
It is hard to go past the mighty Dogs of War when you are judging the most monstrous forward pack in the NRL.
Dave Klemmer, Aiden Tolman, Sam Kasiano, James Graham and even Frank Pritchard who mainly plays second-row but could always step up. Some of the biggest players in the competition and most destructive when they are fit, which is half the trouble the Bulldogs have. Kasiano has already got a question mark over his fitness, which will leave  sizable hole in the front row.
They should have the talent to cover his absence however, with Tim Browne waiting in the wings for his chance.

SECOND-ROW/LOCK
Can a pack get much bigger than that front-row? At the Bulldogs, yes it can.
Pritchard is more at home in the second-row where you'll most likely see him, but it's the other players fighting over the remaining jerseys that steals most of the attention.
Josh Jackson, Greg Eastwood, Harlan Alaalatoa, Tolman, Tony Williams, Dale Finucane, Pat O'Hanlon and Reni Maitua are all in contention for starting and bench spots, but the best part for the Bulldogs is the small gap in class between the best and worst players, allowing them a more consistent and settled pack in which only the name changes, not the impact.

THE COACH
There is a reason Manly Sea Eagles allowed Des Hasler to run the show the way he wanted over his decade coaching at the club and it's the same reason why Canterbury are allowing him the same freedom. His methods not only promise success, but they deliver it in spades.
He led the blue and white army to the grand final in his first year with the club after winning the previous year's grand final with Manly, and directed an understrength, injury-hit side to the finals despite the rumours coming out of the club relating to one B. Barba.
The experience dealing with injuries last season should only restore the fans' faith in Hasler, as well as reinforce the players' confidence in the supercoach. Many pundits restrict the top four to Melbourne, Sydney Roosters, South Sydney and Manly, but don't be surprised if the Dogs of War are knocking on the door.

Starting lineup:  Sam Perrett, Krisnan Inu, Josh Morris, Tony Williams, Chase Stanley, Josh Reynolds, Trent Hodkinson, Aiden Tolman, Michael Ennis, Sam Kasiano, Frank Pritchard, James Graham, Josh Jackson. Interchange Dave Klemmer, Dale Finucane, Greg Eastwood, Reni Maitua