The Bulldogs have recruited 10 new players as Cameron Ciraldo aims to fix some glaring issues that plagued the club last season.
However, not all the pieces they have bought fit perfectly into their 17 and they still need to work on their spine combinations to match the top teams, so their recruitment drive might not be over yet.
Read on for Bulldogs’ State of Play.
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NRL releases full 2024 season draw | 02:31
COACHES: Cameron Ciraldo
Cameron Ciraldo’s first season of a five-year deal didn’t go to plan with the Bulldogs dropping from 12th to 14th on the ladder with just seven wins in 2023. Ciraldo needed to be given time to build a roster he believes can turn the club around and he signed 10 players for 2024, with Connor Tracey the latest and he let eight walk out the door. The squad overhaul is aimed at weeding out players that don’t meet the standards on the field and the training paddock that Ciraldo believes will return the club to its former glory. The signings he has made are not superstars aside from Stephen Crichton, but they are hard working players aimed at giving the team a better chance to compete, while improving their depth across the park. Ciraldo will be joined by new assistant coach Luke Vella and incumbents Chad Randall and Jason Taylor as they bid to turn the club around.
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2024 squad: Bailey Biondi-Odo (2024), Blake Taaffe (2025), Bronson Xerri (2025), Chris Patolo (2024), Connor Tracey (2026), Drew Hutchison (2025), Hayze Perham (2024), Jackson Topine (2024), Jacob Kiraz (2027), Jacob Preston (2027), Jaeman Salmon (2025), Jake Turpin (2025), Jeral Skelton (2024), Jordan Samrani (2025), Josh Addo-Carr (2025), Josh Curran (2025), Karl Oloapu (2026), Kitione Kautoga (2025), Kurt Mann (2025), Liam Knight (2024), Matt Burton (2027), Max King (2024), Poasa Faamausili (2025), Raymond Faitala-Mariner (2025), Reed Mahoney (2026), Ryan Sutton (2025), Samuel Hughes (2024), Stephen Crichton (2027), Toby Sexton (2024), Viliame Kikau (2026), Zac Montgomery (2024)
Development players: Bailey Hayward (2025), Joseph O’Neill (2024), Joash Papalii (2025), Kurtis Morrin (2025), Michael Gabrael (2025)
PLAYERS IN: Connor Tracey (Sharks) Bronson Xerri (return from ban), Stephen Crichton (Panthers), Blake Taaffe (Rabbitohs), Jaeman Salmon (Panthers), Josh Curran (Warriors), Drew Hutchison (Roosters), Kurt Mann (Knights), Jake Turpin (Roosters), Poasa Faamausili (Dolphins)
The Bulldogs have been one of the biggest movers in the transfer market signing 10 new players for 2024 with Connor Tracey the latest via a reported player swap with Michael Gabrael. Tracey can cover every position in the backline and could feature at any spot throughout the year or on the bench. Former Sharks star Bronson Xerri returns from a four-year doping ban and will vie for a centre spot after scoring 13 tries in 22 games back in 2019. Stephen Crichton switches from the three-time premiers the Panthers and will either play fullback or centre. Blake Taaffe comes to Belmore from the Bunnies with his versatility meaning he can cover fullback, five-eighth and bench utility. Jaeman Salmon joins the club from Penrith and provides cover in the halves, centres and even the back row, while he is an excellent bench utility option. As is former Rooster Drew Hutchison, who can cover the halves, centres and bench utility. Former Knights player Kurt Mann is another versatile signing given that he can cover hooker, centre and back row. Former Broncos and Roosters hooker Jake Turpin provides an excellent back-up to skipper Reed Mahoney. Meanwhile, Josh Curran and Poasa Faamausili will boost the Bulldogs’ engine room. The club is also in the race to lue Addin Fonua-Blake in 2025 after his release form the Warriors.
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PLAYERS OUT: Jake Averillo (Dolphins), Tevita Pangai Junior (retired), Kyle Flanagan (Dragons), Paul Alamoti (Panthers), Luke Thompson (Wigan Warriors), Corey Waddell (Sea Eagles), Braidon Burns (unsigned), Declan Casey (unsigned)
WHERE THEY NEED TO IMPROVE: Defence and spine
The Bulldogs conceded the most points in the NRL last season, a whopping 769, which is nearly a 100 more points than the back-to-back wooden spooners the Tigers (675). If the Bulldogs want to compete in the NRL they need to rediscover their Dogs of war DNA and show far more commitment in their defensive line. Too often last year they were blown out, which is why they have made so many changes to their squad to try and improve their commitment and desperation in defence. Crichton may be a great fullback one day, but with Taaffe signed Ciraldo may keep the former Panther in the centres to bolster their edge defence, at least initially. Matt Burton and Reed Mahoney were consistent if not outstanding last year and they will be hoping the influx of new players can take their games to greater heights. Burton has struggled to transfer his brilliance as a centre to the five-eighth role and he needs a big year alongside Toby Sexton. Moving Burton to centre and bringing in Drew Hutchison at five-eighth could be an option if things don’t click. Taaffe or Crichton will be an improvement on what they had at fullback last season, but they need to get all their spine players singing from the same hymn sheet if they want to climb up the ladder.
WHO THEY COULD SIGN: Playmaker
The Bulldogs still look short a class half to take their team to the next level. Matt Burton is an excellent prospect at five-eighth, but at this stage of his career he has performed much better in the centres. Toby Sexton has potential, but based on what he has produced early in his career he is not the circuit breaker playmaker the Bulldogs need. Jarome Luai is off-contract and while he is not a perfect fit as he plays No.6, Burton did spend time at halfback last season. Luai has also played halfback in the juniors and has been linked ot a move to the Tigers on a $1.4 million a year mega deal. However, given their history together, Ciraldo would back himself to make a strong halves combination out of the former Penrith teammates regardless of who wears the No.7. If the Bulldogs can reunite Luai with Crichton and Burton they would start looking like the Panthers 2.0, but given Penrith have won the last three titles, if you can’t beat them steal them.
PLAYER UNDER MOST PRESSURE: Matt Burton
In 2021 Matt Burton was the Dally M centre of the year and he played for the Blues and the Kangaroos the following year, but he has struggled for consistency in the halves since joining the Bulldogs. Part of that is the players he has had around him, but Burton will be 24 next season and entering his third campaign as a half, so the time has come for him to step up. There are rumblings he may return to the centres next season with Drew Hutchison an option in the halves, which shows he is not the finished article as a playmaker. Burton is signed until 2027 on a big money deal and the Bulldogs need him to be their main man. The hulking No.6 has all the attributes to be a success in the halves from his running game to his huge boot, but he needs to get better at creating try-scoring opportunities for teammates, especially with his passing game. If the Bulldogs start slow and their spine doesn’t click next season, Ciraldo might have little choice but to return Burton to the position he made his name in at centre and try Hutchison in the halves.
YOUNG GUN TO WATCH: Bronson Xerri
He might not be so young anymore after serving his four year ban, but Bronson Xerri is entering just his second season in the NRL after his breakout rookie season in 2019. Xerri scored 13 tries in 22 games for the Sharks and was being touted as an Origin star of the future by Immortal Andrew Johns before his doping ban turned his career upside down. The now 23-year-old has paid for his mistakes and deserves a second chance to resurrect his sporting career and the Bulldogs have provided it. Xerri is motivated to prove he can still cut it with the best in the NRL and he could form a formidable partnership with Stephen Crichton in the centres. Time will tell if Xerri still has the speed, footwork and skill of his days at the Sharks, but he has bulked up in the years since and that could make him an even more dangerous strike player. One thing is for sure he won’t lack motivation and drive to turn the image of his career to date around and the Bulldogs could benefit from that.
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