Hard hitters and hard runners: Harry channels Dogs of War

The dominance of Canterbury’s forward pack against Penrith last round struck a chord close to the heart of Bulldogs second-rower Harry Hayes. 

The work of Max King, Sitili Tupouniua, Sam Hughes and Jacob Preston to batter the Panthers into submission drew comparisons to the legendary Dogs of War of yesteryear.

“We’ve seen videos and reputations of the past and we’re trying to create our own present and future,” Hayes told NRL.com. 

“I guess we take the lessons from those guys who were just hard hitters and hard runners. 

“My grandfather was back there in the ‘60s so there’s definitely inspiration there.” 

Hayes’ Welsh-born grandfather Merv Hicks played 79 games for Canterbury between 1966-70 and was a member of the 1967 grand final team that suffered a close loss to South Sydney.

Coming off the bench against the Panthers, Hayes racked up 129 metres and 31 tackles in his 42 minutes of game time.

“We were all really keen to play - not just because they were undefeated but it’s such a cool and good experience to go and compete against the elite in our game,” Hayes said. 

“Some of them being from Penrith (in Bulldogs line-up) might say something different, but for me I was just really keen to play against that kind of calibre of team.” 

In addition to his Berries pedigree Hayes has come through the Bulldogs pathways, scoring a try in the 2023 NSWRL Jersey Flegg Cup premiership win over the Roosters.

Hayes is shaping as something of a good luck charm for coach Cameron Ciraldo. 

He was part of the first two wins of the year over the Dragons in Vegas and then the Raiders before a head knock kept him out of the losses to the Knights and Rabbitohs. 

Hayes returned for the season-defining win over the Panthers and will look to go on with the job against the Eels.

“It’s the way Ciro and the rest of the coaching staff prepared us to come out and play with a bit more spirit and to compete harder [against Penrith] – and that’s what we did," Hayes said.

“We had such a good pre-season and I got to really compete and work with guys like Max King and Sitili Tupouniua and they are all helping me with my technique and running and tackling. 

“Everyone is growing together.” 

And that growth is not restricted to the forwards. 

Halfback Lachlan Galvin enjoyed his best night in the blue-and-white with four line-break assists, a try assist and 13 runs for 102 metres to outpoint the game's premier No.7 Nathan Cleary.

“He played so well. He’s gelling with us so well and I’m hearing his voice on the field,” Hayes said. 

“No-one’s worried about what anyone else says. We only listen to each other inside our four walls and what we do is for each other.”