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Canterbury have made a splash in the NRL player market by signing a quartet of players on two-year deals that will strengthen their depth in the spine in particular.
The Bulldogs have acquired hooker Jake Turpin, forward Poasa Faamausili and versatile duo Drew Hutchison and Kurt Mann through to the end of 2025.
The Cameron Ciraldo-coached side’s roster will undergo a major transformation in 2024 after the club had already announced the signings of Stephen Crichton, Bronson Xerri, Josh Curran, Blake Taaffe and Jaeman Salmon.
The 26-year-old Turpin and Hutchison, 28, both arrive from the Sydney Roosters. Turpin has 75 NRL games under his belt with the Roosters and Brisbane and will provide defensive clout and a tough mentality at No.9.
Hutchison, who has also played 75 NRL games with the Tricolours and St George Illawarra, has shown his ability to slot in wherever the team needs him and lined up at centre, half and hooker in recent seasons.
Veteran Mann has played 178 NRL games for Melbourne, the Dragons and Newcastle and will give Ciraldo plenty of options.
The 30-year-old can play in the halves, centre or lock and is an ideal bench utility.
Journeyman Faamausili has played for the Roosters, Warriors, Dragons and Dolphins in his short 43-game NRL career. The 26-year-old has an opportunity at the Bulldogs to establish himself as a first-grade regular in the pack.
The Bulldogs finished an unacceptable 15th in 2023 and have not played finals football since 2016 when Des Hasler was coach.
The roster reconfiguration is a sign Bulldogs supremo Phil Gould is prepared to make major changes to ensure success returns to the proud club that has won eight premierships, but none since 2004.
© AAP
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