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.
Dayer
Roar Rookie
wooden spoon contenders :laughing:
MB088
Roar Rookie
I would have thought with all these signings they woulf have prioritised keeping Averillo first
Tom G
Roar Rookie
I have it on good authority Sharon pays the club to play… even offered to buy his own jumper.. why do I feel like we’re still getting stiffed?? :laughing: :laughing:
Ed Flanders
Roar Rookie
It's the beginning of a joke that no? Two roosters, a knight and a dolphin walk into a kennel...
Maxtruck
Roar Rookie
Ethnic cleansing of Bulldog Juniors from Bulldogs complete!
Bernie
Roar Rookie
is Ciraldo channeling Anthony Griffin circa 2021. Hutch always whole hearted but as slow as Sunday lunch with the mother-in-law, Mann-o-Mann might give options but doesn't offer much, Faamausili on his 5th club in 47 games - must have a great pitch, but all tree no tinsel. Turpin offers something solid.
Bernie
Roar Rookie
fortunately for the Dragons.
Dutski
Roar Guru
I hope Hutch goes well. Always copped a lot from Chooks fans for being Robbo's favourite and getting picked over somebody or other. Always gives 100% though not the most talented - perhaps that's what the Dogs need. Waiting for the official notice of Nathan Brown being been picked up by Manly, just to see if the rhetoric is the same as when he joined the Roosters (how can they pick up an ORIGIN FORWARD on a budget deal, sombrero etc etc)
Duncan Smith
Roar Guru
With signings like this, the Dogs are a huge chance of winning the reserve grade comp next year!
Tony
Roar Guru
While the Dogs have their cheque book out, maybe the Dragons could take this opportunity to offload a few of their fringe first graders?
Tony
Roar Guru
Confused recruitment I reckon
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
And the Tigers exist.
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
It allows for more creative chopping and changing after each loss. "None of our forwards made 100m and our halves couldn't buy a repeat set. How about we swap around Mann and Hutchinson from hooker and right centre? That'll fix everything."
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
Signing more and more established first graders, even if they're not stars, eats into the salary cap. Even if Canterbury were only considering moving on Addo Carr, now they're essentially forced to. Other clubs will smell their desperation and low-ball them. I fear the Bulldogs are mismanaging their cap like the Knights did under Bennett, and it's going to result in something similar to the Knights under Brown.
Tony
Roar Guru
Nah.....Manly have extended Sharon Woods for another year.
Muzz Manyana
Roar Rookie
Hold the phone. The dogs have just firmed as favourites.
Tony
Roar Guru
They seem to be gathering a lot of utility players for some reason
Albo
Roar Rookie
Do the Dogs just snap up every fringe first grader that comes onto the market these days ? Haven't they got some juniors they can develop ?