True Blue Jamie Soward believes the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs are only one more bad performance away from making sweeping changes to the team following the starring performances of Nick Meaney, Rhyse Martin and Jack Cogger in the Canterbury Cup NSW.
Meaney, Martin and Cogger were outstanding in the Bulldogs’ 19-14 victory over the Warriors in the Canterbury Cup NSW.
Soward praised fullback Meaney for his performance against the Warriors, a try-scorer and key playmaker in the Bulldogs’ attack, highlighting he has what it takes to be in the first grade side.
The former NSW under-20s representative debuted for the Newcastle Knights in round 18 last year and managed another four games to prove he could handle playing in the NRL.
“Nick Meaney came down as a buy from the Newcastle Knights to Canterbury to be in that first-grade spot,” Soward said.
“Meaney would be playing first grade in that Newcastle side (at fullback) so he’s good enough to play."
Bulldogs teammates Martin and Cogger’s impressive form also caught the attention of the Channel Nine commentator and should join Meaney in the top squad if the call-up comes from coach Dean Pay.
Martin’s three from three conversions wasn’t the only commendable kicking form on the day, as Cogger also closed the second half with a goal kick to put his team at a 13-0 advantage.
“Rhyse Martin was great last year for the Bulldogs and Jack Cogger was outstanding on the weekend,” Soward said.
“Those guys will probably have one more week, and if they (Bulldogs’ NRL side) don’t win this week, they may find themselves in the NRL.”
The Bulldogs will face the Wentworthville Magpies in the Canterbury Cup NSW this Sunday at Leichhardt Oval, televised on Channel Nine at 1.00pm as a curtain raiser to the NRL Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and Parramatta Eels clash.
