Joey’s left-field call for new Bulldogs coach

Andrew Johns believes an unconventional playing style could be the answer to Canterbury’s woes, and he has just the men in mind to lead the Bulldogs.

Asked on Wide World of Sports’ Immortal Behaviour who he would pick to be the Dogs’ next permanent head coach, Johns responded with not just one name, but a pair of brothers.

“I would go really left field and go Ben Walker and Shane Walker,” he said.

“They have a unique way of playing footy, it’s based back to the ’90s footy – think about the great Canberra team or the Brisbane team – where it’s all about ball movement, but it’s about time in possession.

“I’ve spoken to them about it the past where an average set of six, the opposition holds the ball for 40 seconds – whereas the way they play, they estimate anywhere between a minute and fifteen (seconds) and elsewhere, and it’s all about ball movement and running the defence around which tires the defence out.”

Whilst the style of play is distinct, it has led the Walker brothers to success in the past.

“First year at Ipswich (in the) Queensland Cup, they won the comp with this unique style of short dropouts, short kickoffs and ball movements … sometimes they even run backwards with the ball to make the opposition chase them,” Johns said.

“Then they played the interstate competition and they won that on grand final day.”

With the Bulldogs “doing the same thing over and over again” to no avail, Johns believes they can afford to be experimental with their next move.

“Everyone plays the same now, I’m waiting for an original thought – something different. It’s a unique way of playing and really, what have they got to lose?”

“Put them (the Walker brothers) in, give them two years, give them a shot. See what happens.

“I think it’s something they have to look at, to explore, and if not the Bulldogs, I think other clubs.”