Round 4 – The Return of Ben Barba

Ben Barba returned to football after reported off-field issues: alleged gambling and personal problems after the breakdown of his relationship with his childhood sweetheart. Sadly the reigning Dally M medallist had a quiet return to rugby league, no ridiculous length of the field tries, just a solid game with him scoring a try in the dying minutes. They were up against the Rabbitohs on Good Friday. It also marked the return of Frank Pritchard who had been out with a groin injury, who had an equally quiet game, starting from the bench.

He was keen to get the ball, and right off the kick off Josh (not Adam, don’t get confused) Reynolds passed it straight to him. He almost looked as if he was going to break through 2 player with a beautiful dummy but it wasn't to be.

Image: Ben Barba running onto the field on Good Friday [source: http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/-k4vS9MVlm4/Bulldogs+v+Rabbitohs/ozqqVb_ab1t]

The Doggies were deep in Rabbits territory in the 13^th minute when Josh Reynolds bombed it, and 6 more tackles were awarded. They didn't even need one, after going from one wing to the other; Tony Williams got a beautiful offload out to put Mitch Brown over the line.

Adam Reynolds’ kicking game earned the Rabbits 3 repeat sets, eventually George Burgess crashing over the line, mostly from sloppy play from Tony Williams, what a great investment he was /sarcasm. A Roy Asotasi hit on Mike Ennis sent him off the field, concussed and it never helps to have your captain injured.

A smart piece of play from Inglis gave Merrit space on the outside off a Reynolds kick, with him going over for the Rabbits second. What a season he’s been having, 7^th try. Crazy stuff. Mostly due to Adam Reynold’s kicking game, but nonetheless a good season beginning for him.

Krisnan Inu was left on report after a dangerous tackle on Greg Inglis who landed on the point of his head. It was pretty funny, because no one likes Greg Inglis (let’s be honest) but it could see a 4 week ban, making him miss the ANZAC test for New Zealand and leaving another gaping hole in the Bulldogs line up.

A beautiful offload from Merritt left Goodwin with some space who went over to score the Bunnies third. A field goal from Adam Reynolds sealed the deal, but the Doggies were the ones to have the final say after a kick in the dying minutes sent Barba to score, a nice confidence booster in his returning NRL game. We’ll see how next week goes, with or without Inu.

I would REALLY like to see the Bulldogs with their full strength side, with two forwards still out in Kasiano and James Graham and the possibility (well, probability) of Inu being suspended, the Bulldogs will have a rough start to the season. I’d also like to see Tony Williams play less minutes because quite frankly he’s done nothing and got incredibly lazy in defence; I’d like to see him get those rests and show some of the form he had at Manly, he's on a reported $650,000 a year and he's NOT playing well at all. Seasons aren’t won in March, though and the Bulldogs will show why they’re the reigning minor premiers in the weeks to come.

Final Score Bulldogs 12, Rabbitohs 17.

- Daniel Arthur

GO THE DOGGIES