The Bulldogs usually bring their off-side game to Brookvale which partly explains their reasonable success here in recent times. Their defensive line often jumps the gun and they are invariably offside when defending their line (more blatantly than any other team in my opinion). Their markers split early on the last tackle (often Ennis and Reynolds) to put pressure on the kicker and they have 4 renowned milkers of penalties (Ennis/Reynolds/Perrett and Hodkinson).
Perrett and Inu are notorious for walking way off the mark before playing the ball to take the tacklers out of the next play. The players need to protest every time it happens because it leaves the defensive line skinny. Klemmer , Kasiano and Tony Williams are probably their worst defenders , especially against angled runners and players with a bit of footwork. DCE (if he plays), Buhrer and even Hiku might have success darting from dummy half if these defenders are around the ruck.
An attacking grubber in behind the defensive line early in the set might also keep the defensive line honest . It's hard to attack the Bulldogs when you're close to their line as one pass wide of the ruck you will find their players already in your backline. They take more than their share of intercepts due to their offside goal-line defence. Most of the time an attacking set close to their line consists of one out hit ups then a kick. A good short kicking game is paramount against them.
As usual the speed of the play the ball and the policing of the offside rule will be the biggest determining factors and these are both unfortunately at the referees' discretion .
Perrett and Inu are notorious for walking way off the mark before playing the ball to take the tacklers out of the next play. The players need to protest every time it happens because it leaves the defensive line skinny. Klemmer , Kasiano and Tony Williams are probably their worst defenders , especially against angled runners and players with a bit of footwork. DCE (if he plays), Buhrer and even Hiku might have success darting from dummy half if these defenders are around the ruck.
An attacking grubber in behind the defensive line early in the set might also keep the defensive line honest . It's hard to attack the Bulldogs when you're close to their line as one pass wide of the ruck you will find their players already in your backline. They take more than their share of intercepts due to their offside goal-line defence. Most of the time an attacking set close to their line consists of one out hit ups then a kick. A good short kicking game is paramount against them.
As usual the speed of the play the ball and the policing of the offside rule will be the biggest determining factors and these are both unfortunately at the referees' discretion .