Canterbury coach Trent Barrett has called for patience with the side's attack after naming the competition's most inexperienced spine for their clash with Newcastle on Friday.
As part of a series of fresh looks at the grand finals of yesteryear, NRL.com revisits the 1995 decider between hot favourites Manly and sentimental favourites Canterbury.
The Manly team of the mid-90s was as dominant of any club side of the past 30 years, making the preliminary final in 1993 and 94 and making three straight grand finals between 1995-97 after finishing minor premiers in each of those three years.
Coached by rugby league Immortal Bob Fulton and boasting an array of talent the envy of the league, Manly will undoubtedly reflect on the 90s and think they should have more than just one premiership to show for their efforts.
With a new coach and several new signings, Canterbury are hoping they re about to enter a new era of success.
Trent Barrett helped Penrith s minor premiership-winning attack reach its potential last year as an assistant to Ivan Cleary. Now, he s back in a top job and is tasked with overhauling the Bulldogs.
Not since 2016 has the club featured in the finals, and their offensive output has been underwhelming in that time, to say the least.
Finishing 15th in 2020, Canterbury scored just 282 points (14.1 points per game). Only wooden spooners Brisbane scored fewer (268 points), while every other team produced at least 343.
But with the salary cap pressure that has crippled their roster in recent seasons subsiding, the Bulldogs have been able to open the chequebook and entice some promising talent to Belmore.
New beginnings: The NRL clubs looking for a fresh start in 2021 A Set the default text size A Set large text size
Replay A Set the default text size A Set large text size
With the 2021 NRL season almost upon us, it’s time to take a look at how each team is faring. In Part 1 of my season preview series, we’ll check in with four clubs looking for a fresh start.
Brisbane Broncos
Key additions: John Asiata (Cowboys)
Key subtractions: David Fifita (Titans), Darius Boyd (retired), Matt Gillett (retired), Jack Bird (Dragons), Joe Ofahengaue (Wests Tigers), Andrew McCullough (Dragons)
Michael Lichaa, 27, allegedly came to blows with old Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs teammate Adam Elliott at a home in Sydney s south, in the early hours of Sunday morning.