Daniel Nichols – Top Dog Returns, And Haven’t They Missed Him!

Jul 31, 2014 Daniel Nichols Featured Guest Writers, National Rugby League 0

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Bulldogs and NSW five-eighth Josh Reynolds will return for his NRL side this weekend for the first time in seemingly months, and boy have they missed him?

The Dogs, on the back of a two game losing streak, have slipped four points behind competition leaders Manly.

Although the results and their current ladder position are hardly the end of the world, recent performances in losses to the Cowboys and Tigers have fans worried that perhaps the bubble has burst.

Still struggling to find a replacement for Ben Barba, the Dogs have struggled in attack, relying heavily on their all representative halves to create chances. Although Hodkinson has been solid, he has clearly missed his Origin partner.

Tomorrow night’s game against the third place Panthers, who themselves are coming in off the back of a two game losing streak, will go a long way to showing just where both sides are at.

The Dogs currently lead the competition in hit-ups, producing almost 100 more than the second place Cowboys, which indicates an over reliance on their big men.

Des Hasler has revolutionised the Dogs game plan, employing hard running, ball playing forwards, however over the past few weeks, the Dogs have lacked that final ball, and have produced some less than stellar sixth tackle options.

Reynolds returning to the side should go a long way to resolving those issues.

Tigers Captain Takes A Break
After a shocking week off field, a young Tigers outfit now need their captain more than ever.

The Tigers skipper has been given a week off to return to the right headspace. I hope for the club’s sake he used the week well, as it’s certainly not ideal to have your best player, and captain, sitting at home while the club looks to save its final hopes.

Carney’s Latest Viral Photo w/ Corby Sisters
Who cares?

Raiders Trying To Steal Spoon From Sharks
In any other year, the Sharks would have well and truly parcelled up the Wooden Spoon by now, after suffering a horror season both on and off the field.

Fortunately for fans in the Shire, Ricky Stuart’s Raiders side is doing their utmost to push the battle for the spoon down to the wire.

Canberra, despite boasting the top points scorer in the competition in Jarrod Croker, just don’t have enough points in them to counter the onslaught on their left edge.

Almost 30 tries have been scored down the Raider’s left fringe, which is by far the most by any side’s outside edges.

They need to muscle up, and quickly, or they will hand Ricky Stuart his second straight wooden spoon.

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• Daniel Nichols, Guest Writer, Josh Reynolds, Ricky Stuart, Robbie Farah, Todd Carney

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