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‘Handed a sh*t sandwich’: Dogs blasted over ‘absurdly stupid’ Barrett approach as Pay quits – Fox Sports

Published

July 13, 2020

While Pay had clearly been under the pump in recent weeks with the club just winning one from their first nine this season, there were many who felt sorry for the coach.
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Round 10
Pay has spent most of his tenure cleaning up a salary cap mess left by the Des Hasler regime and on the eve of the season two of his best players Jayden Okunbor and Corey Harawira-Naera were deregistered by the NRL.
Bulldogs chasing Barrett?
4:12
Ironically, on the day they had their registrations reinstated, Pay decided to quit.
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Pay is expected to be replaced by Trent Barrett after the Penrith assistant coach was given permission by the Panthers to speak with the Dogs.
But that has not gone down well with many commentators, fans and journalists on social media.
I think there will be a big announcement tomorrow and Dean will have coached his last game for the Bulldogs, Phil Gould told 100% Footy.
He took the job on out of a sense of loyalty to the club because they were in a precarious situation.
There wouldnt have been too many other established coaches who would have taken on what he did.
I would think that Dean probably sees the writing on the wall and Id imagine that this has been his call.
Meanwhile, reporter Jelisa Apps took to Twitter and said: Dean Pay was handed an absolute sh*t sandwich to take care of until 2021 when they could be competitive again. Bulldogs should go righto Dean Pay sorry bout the years of disastrous backended contracts that delivered you a cluster in your tenure, have a year with the roster of your choice and well reassess.
Bulldogs should go righto Dean Pay sorry bout the years of disastrous backended contracts that delivered you a cluster in your tenure, have a year with the roster of your choice and well reassess. #nrl
— Jelisa Apps (@JelisaApps) July 13, 2020
Dean Pay was handed an absolute shit sandwich to take care of until 2021 when they could be competitive again. #nrl
— Jelisa Apps (@JelisaApps) July 13, 2020
Disgraced Dogs are back
2:16
Guardian columnist Nick Tedeschi, meanwhile, questioned Canterburys wisdom in going after Trent Barrett.
If Canterbury think Trent Barrett is the right answer then the club is more cast than anytime since Bullfrog came on board. That is one of the most absurdly stupid decisions in a club with a recent history of some truly stupid decisions, he wrote on Twitter.
If Canterbury think Trent Barrett is the right answer then the club is more cast than anytime since Bullfrog came on board. That is one of the most absurdly stupid decisions in a club with a recent history of some truly stupid decisions.
— Nick Tedeschi (@Tedeschi8181) July 13, 2020
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While journalist Mark Gottlieb hailed Pay as a man of integrity.
Dean Pay is a proud person who was given a job with not a lot of upside and little support to actually improve the team this season. Cant blame him for resigning after reportedly being told he wouldnt be coach next season, Gottlieb tweeted.
Dean Pay is a proud person who was given a job with not a lot of upside and little support to actually improve the team this season. Cant blame him for resigning after reportedly being told he wouldnt be coach next season. https://t.co/yJ262X44rD
— Mark Gottlieb (@MarkGottlieb) July 13, 2020
Many were quick to commend Pay, and fans came down hard on the clubs executive.
Good on him! Got given a dud squad with little salary cap movement, with one player being paid million dollars and only playing 36 games. What do you expect?..
— Ramiz Gorgees (@RamizGorgees) July 13, 2020
Id quit too if I was working under that board smh
— Armani (@arman5671) July 13, 2020
From being a “family club” in the 80’s era with the Hughes and Mortimers, Bullfrog, Folkesy etc to what it stands for in recent times at Coffs Harbour, Port Macquarie, CEOs quitting, board factions, etc and now le asvn Coach Pay out in the cold to defend himself; poor culture.
— WILL (@eagle068) July 13, 2020
Barrett next year will be able to use an additional 3 mill. Something Pay never had. Dont blame him walking away. An embarrassment the bulldogs are.
— Dexios (@Dexios__) July 13, 2020