Sonny Bill Williams wants big Bulldogs NRL year 2009
July 12, 2008
Its been a super tough year for the Bulldogs in the NRL 2008 season; add to that an unhappy Sonny Bill Williams and it’s been a train wreck.
The public support for SBW has dropped since he took on new management and was seen to be moving towards an additional cash grab as contract talks dragged on. As the Dogs face a possible wooden spoon fight in 2008, what does SBW think about next year – can the mind set improve?
Williams wants to start things this week, with an NRL Round 18 clash with Brisbane a tough game at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday. But he acknowledges a fresh injection of talent is needed to turn the club’s fortunes around.
That will come in 2009 following the signing of Brett Kimmorley, Michael Ennis, Josh Morris and Ben Hannant.
“We’re not going to give up,” Williams said.
“We’ve got to keep going and hopefully we’ll turn it around soon. But I’m keen to get to next year and get these new players at the club and see what we can do.
“They’re all in great form for their clubs and I’m excited about the prospect of playing alongside those boys next year.”
SBW confirmed that current boss Steve Folkes was still very much in charge even though heir apparent Kevin Moore also had plenty of input.
“At training, what Folksy says goes but I think Kev will bring a few new ideas next year,” Williams said.
“Folksy its a business dominated NRL game these days (although Moore is a family addition from the Bulldogs club interestingly) and we haven’t been performing this year, so unfortunately it’s the end of his coaching career at the Bulldogs.”
Williams said the Bulldogs had enjoyed good wins in Brisbane, the most recent a 25-24 thriller in round 23 last year when half-back Brett Sherwin kicked the winning field goal.
“There are very few weaknesses in the Broncos’ line-up but we’ll be having a crack,” Williams said.
Williams played under Broncos coach Wayne Bennett for New Zealand in the Centenary Test at the SCG on May 9 and Bennett has indicated he also will assist head coach Stephen Kearney in the World Cup in October-November.
“I learnt a bit from Wayne and I took it back to the club,” Williams said.
“I think I grew a bit in that week. He’s a great coach and I’m looking forward to being involved with him at the end of the year.”
There are eight survivors from last year’s victory over the Broncos in the Bulldogs’ line-up – Williams, Hazem El Masri, Ben Roberts, Corey Hughes, Chris Armit, Andrew Ryan, Reni Matua and Fred Briggs.
The new faces include full-back Brent Crisp, a former Australian rules player from Kalgoorlie; prop John Kite, 20, who at 114kg rivals Brisbane behemoth Dave Taylor; and half-back Arana Taumata from New Zealand.
The Bulldogs are hoping Taumata will play a major role in turning the club’s fortunes around in the next few years.
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