How do the Bulldogs keep winning?

We’re all thinking it, right? Top eight, sure. Leaders, nah. Who’s even in the team now Ben Barba’s gone? At least that’s what the general consensus was pre-season. But there they are, up the top of the log now and have closed out their last 5 games with a W.

Hardly a team packed with superstars, looking at their team sheet the only names that really jump out are Josh Reynolds, James Graham and Tony Williams (was close to being a former star) and maybe Michael Ennis for his longevity and mouth.

Much has been made of the might of the ‘Doggies bruising forwards, led by Graham, look-a-like Aiden Tolman and Frank Pritchard but they’re ably backed up by battlers and up-and-comers Greg Eastwood, Sam Kasiano, Dale Finucane, David Klemmer and Tim Browne.

It is this mixture, along with some other factors, that I believe is driving their success. Finucane and Eastwood have been competing for a starting spot at lock while Klemmer and Browne are making the most of their limited time on the field. They are pushing each other and keeping their team mates honest.

From a psychological perspective their motivation is obviously right up there (as you’d expect from any pro player) as a result of the competition internally. This comes from three key factors of motivation- intensity, persistence and direction of actions. The direction component comes from focusing on their own game and is known as task orientation, in which players focus on their own game. By focusing on their own game, more specifically the skills and roles they have to perform, players effectively give themselves control of their game. This focus on their own game also ups the persistence and intensity as players feel more comfortable and confident about their role within the team.

Though Des Hasler coached sides tend to be good at shutting down opposition threats (think how little impact the inform Inglis and Leilua had) he clearly has them focused on executing roles and skills well, instilling the confidence in the players. This reflected in the ‘Doggies generally low error rate and ability to capitilise on their chances. Last weekend the Bulldogs made only two linebreaks but dotted down as a result of both them.

Much has also been made of the halves pairing of Reynolds and Trent Hodkinson. Ennis believes they are the best in the league (DCE/Foran?) and Hasler has been lauding Hodkinson’s “composed, cool and calm” nature. They haven’t kicked for huge metres but have been effective at providing that link between their dominant forwards to give their outsides the opportunity to cross the line.

This streak of recent wins will give them great confidence and composure when it comes to the crunch games at the business end of the season. Don’t under estimate the knowledge they gained from consistently coming out on the right side of close results. It is huge. They’ve been there before and won. They know how it feels. They know what to do.

Personally, I’m not huge fan of the ‘Doggies but their team performances and knack of winning has my attention and their rivals will be taking note. They are proving the old adage about the difference between a team of superstars and a superstar team. Don’t be surprised to see this largely unheralded side still knockin’ about at the end of the season.