Bulldogs season 2008

The Bulldogs will celebrate their 74th First Grade Season in the 100th year of rugby league in Australia.

eason Summary

High-profile player departures and political infighting during the 2007-2008 off-season had led to predictions that the Bulldogs would have a difficult 2008, predictions which have thus far been borne out. For most of the season, the club has languished towards the bottom of the ladder, suffering heavy losses against many teams, the most notable being a 46-0 loss to the Melbourne Storm, 58-18 loss to the Canberra Raiders and a 56-4 loss against the Wests Tigers, breaking records. The key problems for the Bulldogs have been poor defence and continuing injury problems, with usually 10 first grade players injured at a time, including season ending injuries to key players Luke Patten and Willie Tonga. The team has also faced off-field turbulence, with heavy media coverage throughout May and June of Sonny Bill Williams discontent with Bulldogs management and with his contract arrangements, and of his rumoured desire to leave the club to play rugby union or in the European Super League. After confirming that he would play out the remaining 4 years of his contract, Williams left the country to seek out a contract with French Rugby Union club RC Toulon. The NRL and Bulldogs club are seeking legal action against Williams. After the club's 58-18 thrashing at the hands of the Raiders in Round 15, coach Steve Folkes admitted that the Bulldogs are "at the bottom of a fairly big hole with no way out of it in the short term".cite news
first=Adrian
last=Proszenko
coauthors=
title=Dogs belted by Raiders
date=2008-06-22
publisher=
url =http://www.leaguehq.com.au/news/lhqmatchreport/dogs-belted-by-raiders/2008/06/21/1214009163941.html
work =League HQ
pages =
accessdate = 2008-06-22
language = ] On top of the colossal injury list, off-field incidents and the walking out of star Sonny Bill Williams, the Bulldogs continued their woes after deciding to throw away the contract of budding star Arana Taumata after another off-field incident. The young half showed promise, especially with his blistering speed, shown through solo long range tries in each of his first 3 games. It was believed that the Newcastle Knights were after Taumata, but have lost interest after being sacked by his 3rd successive club.

2008 Season Results

ANZ Stadium is a home ground of five NRL teams (the Bulldogs as well as South Sydney Rabbitohs, Wests Tigers, St George Illawarra Dragons and Parramatta Eels), and therefore the Bulldogs are not officially classified as the home team at every match they play there. ANZ Stadium matches at which the Bulldogs are classified as the home team are highlighted in bold.

Bold Players have played International or State any year

2009 Player Signings/Transfers

Gains 2009

Off Contract at end of 2010

Off Contract at end of 2011

References

External links

* [http://www.bulldogs.com.au/ Bulldogs]