After finishing with the wooden spoon last season, the only way was up for the Bulldogs in 2015. They went on a 13-game losing streak in 2014 and it wasn’t looking much better four games into the new year, as the Dogs went winless and sat at the bottom of the ladder. Heading into their first bye of the season, Canterbury had just three wins from 11 games. More stability in the weekly line ups and the mid-season recruitments of Bronson Garlick, Piki Rogers and Reimis Smith helped turn the Bulldogs’ season around. From Round 13, the Bulldogs won six, drew one and lost six as they charged towards the top eight.
Ultimately, a three game losing streak from Round 21 to 23 ruined their finals hopes. The three losses, two of them to top eight teams, were all by four points or less. Wins over South Sydney and Newcastle had the Bulldogs sitting two points out of the top eight going into Round 26. In the final round they needed a Raiders loss and a win over the Warriors to sneak in, but unfortunately neither eventuated and Canterbury finished in 10th spot.
Standout Players
Halfback Guy Hamilton played all 24 games in 2015. The Logan junior ended the year with 25 try assists and 22 line break assists. Junior Kiwi representative Renouf To’omaga averaged 120 metres and 26 tackles a game. Second rower Harry Pondekas, who joined from the club from Newcastle, scored 11 tries in 20 games and averaged 28 tackles a game.
Top Pointscorer
Switching between five-eighth and hooker throughout the season, Brad Keighran was Canterbury’s leading pointscorer in 2015. The Wyong junior scored 5 tries and kicked 61 goals for 142 points. He scored 18 points in the Round 20 win over Cronulla.
Top Tryscorer
Fijian-born winger Marcelo Montoya proved to be an astute tryscorer for the Bulldogs in 2015. The pacey winger scored 14 tries in 19 games, bagging three doubles.
Best Win
Round 25 – defeated Newcastle 52-18.
Their biggest win of the season, the Bulldogs finally played to their true potential against the Knights. Unfortunately it happened in Round 25. They ran in 10 tries which included doubles to Pondekas and Reimis Smith. Wingers Marcelo Montoya and Reubenn Rennie both ran for over 200 metres each.
Graduates
Herman Ese’ese (2013-2014 – 36 games, 7 tries, 1 goal, 30 points)
Spent two seasons in the Bulldogs’ NYC side before joining their NSW Cup team in 2015. Made his NRL debut in Round 7.
Danny Fualalo (2012-2014 – 54 games, 10 tries, 40 points)
A NSW under-18s representative in 2012, Fualalo is one of the Bulldogs’ most capped NYC players. He made his NRL debut in Round 7 and played three first grade games in 2015.
Shaun Lane (2013-2014 – 38 games, 11 tries, 44 points)
Standing at 198cm, Lane has fit in perfectly with the Bulldogs’ giant pack in 2015. Made his NRL debut in 2015 and has scored five tries in his rookie season.
Leilani Latu (2011-2012 – 18 games, 2 tries, 8 points)
Moved up to the Bulldogs’ NSW Cup side in 2013 but joined Penrith in 2014. Made his NRL debut for Penrith in Round 21, playing six games in 2015.
Tyrone Phillips (2014 – 1 game)
Spent the majority of his NYC career with the Rabbitohs, Phillips joined the Bulldogs in 2014 and made his NRL debut for them in Round 11. He is a Fijian international.
Player to Watch in 2016
Reimis Smith joined the Bulldogs from Parramatta midway through 2015. The 18-year old winger ended the season with 15 tries in 21 games (12 of those tries with Canterbury) and represented New South Wales under-18s. Reimis is the son of former New Zealand international Tyran Smith and certainly has a big future ahead of him.
Representative Honours
Reimis Smith – New South Wales under-18s (1 try, 4 points)
Renouf To’omaga – Junior Kiwis
18TH MAN 