THE Bulldogs have thrown us all a dummy that even Johnathan Thurston would be proud of.

All this talk that they want to sign Brett Stewart, Kurtley Beale, Darius Boyd or Josh Hoffman to play fullback has been a tactic to camouflage their real target.

The player coach Des Hasler really wants is none other than Test winger Brett Morris.

Yes, true story … the Morris twins to play together at the Bulldogs next year.

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media_camera Bulldogs coach Des Hasler wants to bring the Morris boys together at Canterbury.

I’m told Brett has already asked for a release from the final year of his contract at the Dragons but CEO Peter Doust denied it when we spoke over the weekend.

Releasing Morris is the last thing newly appointed coach Paul McGregor will want to do. At the same time, what’s the point of keeping a footballer who doesn’t want to be there.

The Morris boys have wanted to play in the same side for a couple of years now. Josh seriously considered heading back to the Dragons a year ago but stayed put. Standby for further developments over the next few weeks.

RABBITS WRESTLED

It’s amazing what happens when the Rabbitohs are not allowed to wrestle in tackles.

After all their chicken wings and crushers were highlighted last week, Souths refrained from grappling in the play-the-ball against the Cowboys and got hammered for it.

The Cowboys went on a roll to run up a 22-nil lead and were never threatened.

I got this tweet from the Bulldogs’ former international Paul Langmack during the game:

Thanks @BuzzRothfield for you articles about Souths Wrestle. Bunnies v Cows game is great to watch minimal wrestle. Refs must b applauded — Paul Langmack (@PaulLangmack) August 23, 2014

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FORTHRIGHT FREDDIE

You’ve got to admire Freddie Fittler. Aside from Benny Elias and a few other rent-a-quotes, lots of footballers, current and former, often sit on the fence these days when asked a prickly question.

On Saturday morning I rang Fittler to get his opinion on Paul Gallen. Should the NSW State of Origin skipper win the medal named in his honour as best Blues player in light of his drug suspension?

DON’T GIVE GALLEN MY MEDAL: FITTLER

A lot of players would have taken the easy option and said no comment.

Freddie wanted time to think about it. He’s close to Gallen and is part of Laurie Daley’s Blues coaching staff. “I’ll ring you back in an hour,” he said.

And then came is honest, straightforward answer. Gallen should be ineligible for the award. If only there were more like Freddie.

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SHOCKING SPOON-BOWL

The game was everything it was billed to be — a match-up to determine the worst team in competition. Sadly, it was the Cronulla Sharks.

For the first time since 1969, the Cronulla will collect the wooden spoon, barring miracles in the final two rounds. This was a really, really dreadful game of football.

At half-time on 2GB, league immortal Bob Fulton said it was like watching two pub teams. You felt for the people who had to pay to watch it.

The first half looked like being a nil-all draw before the Sharks scored five minutes from the break.

media_camera A bad week ended in defeat as Cronulla sunk against the Raiders.

SPOON SET TO BE CRONULLA’S FINAL INSULT

The second-half wasn’t a whole lot better. At one stage the Sharks had a three-man overlap, 20 metres from the line, and still didn’t score.

It was so bad colleague Dean Ritchie turned to me and asked who the best five players were with 10 minutes to go. I could only name three.

ASADA and a late season injury toll left the Sharks desperately short on numbers.

Some backed up for two games in two days. Youngsters Jake Goodwin and Jake Lawrence played NSW Cup on Saturday then Holden Cup yesterday.

It’s been one of those seasons. No Shane Flanagan, ASADA, Todd Carney, Peter Sharp’s exit … and so on and so on. Thank god there’s only two games to go.

media_camera Daly Cherry-Evans was left frustrated against a determined Eels side on Friday night.

MINOR CONCERNS

Manly’s premiership campaign is in danger of falling apart because their front-rowers are struggling. Josh Starling, Brenton Lawrence, Jason King are lacking go-forward.

There is nothing even Kieran Foran and Daly Cherry-Evans can do when the pack is getting smashed like it has in recent weeks.

On Friday night, Geoff Toovey was clearly outcoached by his old apprentice Brad Arthur.

It’s now perfectly clear why the Manly players were so upset when Arthur left Brookvale at the end of last season to take on the Eels’ job.

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BARBA BACK?

Ben Barba looked like his confidence was absolutely shattered early in the second half against the Knights in Brisbane on Saturday night.

One of his fifth-tackle kicks, under no pressure, speared straight into touch on the full.

Then all of a sudden he snapped out of it and returned to the Ben Barba of old.

Three quick tries in the 60th, 65th and 70th minutes were a replay of what we saw in 2012, the year he became Dally M champion.

It was a timely performance in front of next year’s coach Wayne Bennett.

media_camera Thursday night’s game between the Bulldogs and Wests Tigers drew a small crowd.

MORE CROWD PAIN

To give you some idea about how well AFL is travelling against the NRL, compare the crowds of the premiers from both codes in recent weeks.

Hawthorn has attracted 30,000, 35,000 and 72,000 to their last three matches. That’s a remarkable average of 45,000 per game.

The Roosters have attracted 6000, 5000 and 19,676 to Sunday’s game in New Zealand lifted their average to 10,000. In fairness they’ve had some ordinary weather but so too have Hawthorn.

It’s a worry when such a great footy side with so many high profile players like SBW, Mitch Pearce, Michael Jennings JWH, Mini and a couple of wonderful wingers can’t get more fans through the turnstiles while they are fighting to make the top four.

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HIGHLIGHT

A near full house at Parramatta Stadium on Friday night and some great rugby league atmosphere like the good old days.

LOWLIGHT

Wayne Bennett’s abysmal coaching performance against the Broncos on Saturday night.

He should get his own backyard in order before bagging his rivals.

SPOTTED:

The Fifita twins Andrew and David at the V8’s at Eastern Creek on Saturday, hopefully not involved in any road rage.

media_camera Nate Myles’s injury is another blow for the Kangaroos ahead of the Four Nations.

ROOS ROOTED

Paul Gallen’s suspension coupled with Nate Myles’ season-ending bicep injury have left Kangaroos coach Tim Sheens without his two toughest forwards for the Four Nations tournament after the grand final.

TITANS BLOW AS MYLES OUT FOR SEASON

KING KENNY

Is there a better young second-rower in the game than Parramatta’s Kenny Edwards?

He was outstanding against Manly on Friday night and looks capable of playing rep footy at the highest level.

POMS DO SOMETHING RIGHT

The thing I loved about the Challenge Cup final in England on Saturday night was the video refereeing. Unlike the NRL, the on-field refs go upstairs without being forced to guess if it’s a try or not. The video refs then calmly but quickly make a decision. It’s far superior to the NRL system.

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