Lets not forget the Dogs have been through hell in terms of sorting out their cap and have now only after years managed to get it in order and have a big war chest to spend.
If we strip our team bare and have 3-4 years of finishing in the bottom two or 3 then we too could have the sugar hit of a recruitment drive.
In terms of their recruitment..............I'm not as Impressed as most, looks more of taking the opportunities that they can at a high cost rather than really strategic.
That said they will improve, but I don't see them in the 8 next year.
Flanagan - Didn't really break through at the Sharks and was steady at the Roosters with Keary, Teddy, Cordner, Manu, Crichton etc etc around him. Struggle to see him dominating with Lewis, Marshall King etc and his creative supports......in fact wouldn't surprise me to see him follow Lewis career trajectory
Cotric - Good player on big money, will certainly improve them and offers great tackle busting ability but never really been able to lock in at centre as I'm not sure he has the slight of hand/vision/passing game. Thing more of him as a Mansour/Ferguson type. Wont be a game changer himself.
Hetherington - Firebrand, loves a big hit, loves a big suspension....reminds me of another Bulldogs big name prop signing in Dylan Napa, though the only difference is Napa was a SOO player. Couldn't lock down a spot at the Panthers. Jury out
Allan - I was surprised he had the season he did, to be honest I wasn't expecting it. Great runner, good speed. Does he have the playmaking abilities to support and inexperienced spine.
For mine in 2020 I see a spine with a lot of question marks and a team lacking leaders (bar Jackson).....9th-14th