Search

show me:

Jackson praises new-found Bulldogs defence

3 minute read

Canterbury have won three games in a row for the first time this NRL season and next face finals-bound Parramatta.

JOSH JACKSON walks out for the New South Wales Blues State of Origin captain's run at Cbus Super Stadium in Gold Coast, Australia.
JOSH JACKSON walks out for the New South Wales Blues State of Origin captain's run at Cbus Super Stadium in Gold Coast, Australia. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

Canterbury captain Josh Jackson says a defensive mindset shift is behind the Bulldogs' three straight NRL wins and promised fans more success this season.

Jackson praised the Bulldogs new-found defence after they became the first team to keep South Sydney try-less in 2019.

But the Canterbury skipper admits they still have plenty more to give in attack, currently the worst in the competition.

"I was really happy with the effort and particularly the defensive effort on the weekend against a side like the Rabbitohs who throw a fair bit at you," Jackson said.

"They're a quality side, a top-four side and have been really good all year and are a good attacking side.

"Our defensive mindset is something we spoke about probably six weeks ago, just really trying to build performances off the back of our defence and we've really done that over the past month.

"We still have a lot to improve on, (with) our attacking game we can take our opportunities a lot better.

"There's certainly more points left in us but we're improving every week.

"We're starting to grow a bit of confidence and that makes playing and winning games a lot easier. There's a sense of belief in the playing group."

Canterbury (13th) face rivals Parramatta (sixth) at Bankwest Stadium on Thursday and could record another upset despite being out of finals contention for some time now.

Jackson commended the resilience of former Eels star five-eighth Kieran Foran, who has missed 10 games this year through a series of injuries but returned against Souths.

"He was outstanding. He just gives you a sense of confidence when you're playing alongside him," Jackson said.

"He plays with a lot of toughness and a lot of skill and he laid on our two tries for us on the weekend, so he had an immediate impact.

"He's worked hard in the past 12 or 18 months on his rehab and injuries after his body kept letting him down ... but he's just got such a positive mindset."

Think. Is this a bet you really want to place?

For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit www.gamblinghelponline.org.au