Act of Squad: Bulldogs predicted team and 2025 overview

DFLWatto

DFLWatto

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Act of Squad: Bulldogs predicted team and 2025 overview

The Bulldogs surprised many with their charge to the 2024 finals but they will have to carry the weight of expectation throughout this season.
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Cameron Mee NRL Reporter Timestamp Tue 4 Feb 2025, 06:01 AM
The Bulldogs surprised many with their charge to the 2024 finals but they will have to carry the weight of expectation as the club celebrates its 90th anniversary in 2025.


It's a burden Canterbury appear well-placed to shoulder, with coach Cameron Ciraldo and captain Stephen Crichton no strangers to pressure.



The Bulldogs will carry a relatively stable squad into 2025, with Josh Addo-Carr the highest profile departure. Experienced recruits Sitili Tupouniua and Marcelo Montoya will provide leadership and depth while Enari Tuala will provide added firepower out wide.


Perhaps the biggest inclusion this year will be the return of English forward Ryan Sutton, missed the entirety of 2024 with injury. The prop is expected to line up throughout the pre-season challenge and could give the pack size and muscle up front if he can remain healthy.


Bronson Xerri was one of the revelations of 2024 in his return from a doping ban and he will play a key role in the side's quest to finish inside the top four.


Those premiership hopes will also hinge on the continued development of halves Matt Burton and Toby Sexton as they work to unlock the team's full potential.


Teenage halfback Mitchell Woods is still far from the finished product but could earn an NRL debut throughout the year.


As for the forward pack, Josh Curran proved one of the buys of the year last season and is set to lay the foundation up front alongside Max King, Sam Hughes and Reed Mahoney.

Predicted Round 1 Team

  1. Connor Tracey
  2. Jacob Kiraz
  3. Bronson Xerri
  4. Stephen Crichton
  5. Enari Tuala
  6. Matt Burton
  7. Toby Sexton
  8. Max King
  9. Reed Mahoney
  10. Sam Hughes
  11. Viliame Kikau
  12. Jacob Preston
  13. Jaeman Salmon
  14. Bailey Hayward
  15. Josh Curran
  16. Sitili Tupouniua
  17. Ryan Sutton
 
CrittaMagic69 said:
Honestly I'd happily play Tuala over Montoya
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I would understand playing Montoya if I'm ciro based on the games hes played, whether correct or not. Otherwise Wilson has the spot, Tuala should be depth.
 
DFLWatto said:
I'm going to be honest, this journo might me smoking that good good..

Tuala over montoya/wilson
salmon at lock with no Mann in sight
Sutton on the bench

??
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Is Mann fit for round 1?
 
DFLWatto said:
I actually had forgot he had some grief last year, but looks like he will be ready for pre-season trials, hopefully still the case View attachment 129381
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I would rest him for pre season if there are any issues we know who he is and his influence and work rate… get him right and ease him into season.
 
Benno Bulldog said:
I would rest him for pre season if there are any issues we know who he is and his influence and work rate… get him right and ease him into season.
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Hunnid, would rather sit out of nothing games if it means he plays the whole season vs half
 
How is Kurt Mann forgotten about. Salmon and Sutton in my opinion are depth players to start the year. Lock forwards definitely ahead of Salmon are Curran and Mann, we can make a call on Jack Todd after the trials. I can understand Hayward as a 14 but only if Mann is the starting 13. Ryan Sutton is well behind King, Hughes, Curran and probably Amone and Todd as well. Tuala is probably in the mix for that wing spot, but again the trials will probably determine who plays wing along side Xerri at centre.
 
DFLWatto said:
I'm going to be honest, this journo might me smoking that good good..

Tuala over montoya/wilson
salmon at lock with no Mann in sight
Sutton on the bench

??
Click to expand...
This journo needs to be tested right away....
 
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