Canterbury is limping into the NRL finals off a disappointing 24-6 defeat to the Sharks—and one of the game’s greatest ever players thinks they could be heading for an early exit.
Speaking on Nine after the Round 27 loss to Cronulla, Johnathan Thurston was blunt in his assessment of a Bulldogs attack that continues to splutter under Cameron Ciraldo, despite numerous changes and promises of improvement.
“The Dogs did not throw too much at them (Cronulla) with their attack, I thought attack wise that was one of the poorest performances from the Bulldogs,” Thurston lamented of the club where he began his NRL career.
“They are too structured, they have no Plan B.”
MORE: Judiciary: Hynes charge rocks Sharks; Asofa-Solomona's season in jeopardy
‘They are going to be out the back door’ warns Thurston
A clearly frustrated Thurston explained the time for talk at Belmore is over, and called for changes as the Bulldogs now prepare to face an equally under pressure Storm squad in the first round of the NRL finals at AAMI Park.
“Their attack has to change because we have been seeing the same attacking structure over the last two months,” Thurston said.
“There is nothing from the Dogs that I am seeing that they are going to improve.
“All I’ve been hearing the last few months is that ‘we are improving’.
“Well, time is out to improve—I know they get two bites at the cherry, but the way they are playing, they are going to be out the back door.”
Compounding Cameron Ciraldo’s problems heading into Friday night’s qualifying final against the Storm are new injuries to two of his backline starters, Marcelo Montoya and Bronson Xerri, in addition to the ongoing absence of star winger Jacob Kiraz.