Did you ever watch the 1998 movie Sliding Doors with Gwyneth Paltrow? Two alternate versions of what happens based on your choice. Do I go through the doors or not?

I got that sense when the boys ran down the race last night in our 14 9 93 to 5 9 39 loss to Centrals. What choice will be made when the team loses 14 players to Rugby League carnivals, long weekend committments and injury?

Scenario one: We ask the lesser lights to step up. Tonight's their big night. Their night to shine and make it hard for the others when they return. They run out pumped. Ready to make a statement, sick of being permanent interchange and passed by other players each week.

They get the first goal of the match within a minute. Bulldogs then have 10 scoring shots in a row and put the contest away. Our lesser lights panic, missing the leadership of their better players. They fumble and watch the opposition look great. A 23 point quarter time deficit grows to 40, 65 and eventually an 89 point thrashing. Worst of the year. The kids walk off, dejected and wondering about continuing.

Scenario Two: We ask the lesser lights to step up. Tonight's their big night. Their chance to shine and make it hard for the others when they return. They run out pumped. Ready to make a statement, sick of being permanent interchange and passed by other players each week.

They get the first goal of the match within a minute. Bulldogs then have 10 scoring shots in a row and put the contest away. Or do they? At quarter time we ask everyone to have fun, do party tricks and forget the scoreboard. Try new things, play new positions. Use the night as their chance to be bold. Do stuff they only dreamed about. Some second quarter magic and we kick a couple of super goals. Ian, Shaq, Isaac and James kick team lifters and inspire others. Dom, Kyle and Sam play their best games for the club. Gutsy and following instructions to the letter. Stafford plays an inspired game in the ruck and at fullback. Great stuff. Garret and Harry play like U16's. We never go away and Centrals leave with a 9 goal win instead of 20.

I loved the movie, and I loved the second scenario. It was last night's story.

Things get better next week. Not because the others come back. That helps, but it is the improvement in the second tier players which tells me that.

And I'll probably watch Gwyneth again this week.

Ahh! Football! What a story.