Canterbury coach Dean Pay is under pressure and insists that at the end of the NRL tunnel there is light that darkens from week to week.
The Bulldogs fell into a sixth loss in Sunday’s first seven games, this time 34-6 against the Wests Tigers at Bankwest Stadium.
“The first 20 minutes were, we started very hard and survived our sets. We did some good things there but it wasn’t good after that, ”Pay said after the game.
Kayo is your ticket to NRL Telstra Premiership 2020. Every game every round Live & On-Demand with no commercial breaks during the game. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial and start streaming immediately
Tigers beat up bulldogs
1:54
“It wasn’t good at all.”
The loss was caused by a suspected ankle injury from full-back Will Hopoate, who has been the best player in a sad campaign so far.
LATEST NEWS: Rolling news of all the great stories from the NRL
CASUALTY WARD: All injuries and relapses come from round 7
The last placed Bulldogs are the only team that has won only one game so far.
When asked how long Hopoate could still be on the move, Pay said: “I’m not sure about Will, I haven’t spoken to our doctors.”
The uninspired achievement came just a few days after the non-contractual pay survived a board meeting in which its future was probably discussed.
With the money in the salary cap that needs to be spent, the club has to make a decision about a head coach before the players make the call to Belmore.
MORE NRL NEWS
FAIRYTALE OVER ?: Benji is bought to avoid a sad end to the NRL career
‘PENALTY Sufficient’: Ennis slams Sharks’ gifted attempt after a double injury
One player who has already signed up is the highly respected frontrower Luke Thompson, who will meet his teammates for the first time on Monday.
The England international ended his two-week isolation on Sunday in Melbourne and could make his NRL debut as soon as there was a clash with South Sydney this week.
David’s cheeky celebration
0:37
His arrival, as well as the club’s war chest, were the only positive points that Pay could point to after making their final efforts against the Tigers.
“Our hat is fine again. We have Luke Thompson coming up this week. He is a really good player, ”said Pay.
PERFECT 10: Johnson answers critics to guide NRL in test aids after seven rounds
BAD DISCIPLINE: The worst defense in Broncos history increases the pressure on Seibold
The club is believed to be in negotiations with Canberra duo John Bateman and Nick Cotric, the latter of which is not contracted.
Bateman has been given permission to speak to other clubs, despite signing with the Raiders by the end of next season.
“There is light at the end of the tunnel. We have to get on the market. We have to buy 3-4 high quality players and improve our work, ”said Pay.
“Hopefully they will make a difference to our team. I am sure they will. And keep bringing these young guys along, keep playing them.
“Although it wasn’t where we needed to be tonight, these young people, it’s another learning curve for them.”
.
