Jackson_1994
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Canterbury secured one of the most significant signings of the off-season when they managed to lure dynamic New Zealand Test prop Leo Thompson away from Newcastle on a bumper four-year deal starting in 2026.
But as Thompson prepares to face his future employers for the first time on Sunday, Canterbury's unbeaten start to 2025 is being built on the success stories of those the club has "bred, not bought".
Canterbury used to pride themselves on that mantra, and perhaps nobody reflects that in their current squad better than rising prop Harry Hayes.
Hayes - the 22-year-old grandson of Welsh-born Great Britain forward Merv Hicks, who played for the Bulldogs in the 1960s - made his NRL debut last season and was named Canterbury's NSW Cup Player of the Year.
In 2025, he has only gone from strength to strength at NRL level, clocking up an average of 110m from the interchange bench in the Dogs' 4-0 start.
Hayes' encouraging displays for the Bulldogs are all the more impressive considering, up until two or three years ago, he only had visions of being a fullback.
"I was always a fullback and my pop (Hicks) was always telling me I'd end up as a prop," Hayes told AAP.
"In my head, I was like, 'Yeah, OK, whatever' but then at 18, I missed (Canterbury's) SG Ball squad and it was a good learning curve.
"I didn't want to give up because I'd done my ACL as a 15-year-old and was out for two years.
"But I needed to get that passion back for the game and that setback was another opportunity to prove people wrong."
Hayes rediscovered his love for league playing on his native Central Coast.
He then received a lifeline from Canterbury's Jersey Flegg (under 21s) side after impressing as a centre.
Eventually, he gravitated to the second row and then, late last year against North Queensland, was asked to make his NRL debut as a bench prop with "less than 30 minutes" experience of playing in the middle.
"In my head, I was going, 'maybe my pop is right'," Hayes said. "(If someone asks now) I'm a front-rower for sure."
Hayes' previous experience as an outside back has clearly helped, with the prop delivering lengthy stints for Cameron Ciraldo and earning Canterbury's play-of-the-week for a trysaver in last week's win over Cronulla.
Beat Newcastle on Sunday and the Bulldogs will be 5-0 to start a season for the first time since 1993.
"Everyone in our pack looks forward to the challenge because everyone says we're not the biggest pack but we want to take it to other teams," Hayes said.
"I'm just loving the first few rounds and the opportunity that 'Ciro' has given me and come off the bench and make an impact.
"It's my job to come on and make a difference and keep our intensity going."
But as Thompson prepares to face his future employers for the first time on Sunday, Canterbury's unbeaten start to 2025 is being built on the success stories of those the club has "bred, not bought".
Canterbury used to pride themselves on that mantra, and perhaps nobody reflects that in their current squad better than rising prop Harry Hayes.
Hayes - the 22-year-old grandson of Welsh-born Great Britain forward Merv Hicks, who played for the Bulldogs in the 1960s - made his NRL debut last season and was named Canterbury's NSW Cup Player of the Year.
In 2025, he has only gone from strength to strength at NRL level, clocking up an average of 110m from the interchange bench in the Dogs' 4-0 start.
Hayes' encouraging displays for the Bulldogs are all the more impressive considering, up until two or three years ago, he only had visions of being a fullback.
"I was always a fullback and my pop (Hicks) was always telling me I'd end up as a prop," Hayes told AAP.
"In my head, I was like, 'Yeah, OK, whatever' but then at 18, I missed (Canterbury's) SG Ball squad and it was a good learning curve.
"I didn't want to give up because I'd done my ACL as a 15-year-old and was out for two years.
"But I needed to get that passion back for the game and that setback was another opportunity to prove people wrong."
Hayes rediscovered his love for league playing on his native Central Coast.
He then received a lifeline from Canterbury's Jersey Flegg (under 21s) side after impressing as a centre.
Eventually, he gravitated to the second row and then, late last year against North Queensland, was asked to make his NRL debut as a bench prop with "less than 30 minutes" experience of playing in the middle.
"In my head, I was going, 'maybe my pop is right'," Hayes said. "(If someone asks now) I'm a front-rower for sure."
Hayes' previous experience as an outside back has clearly helped, with the prop delivering lengthy stints for Cameron Ciraldo and earning Canterbury's play-of-the-week for a trysaver in last week's win over Cronulla.
Beat Newcastle on Sunday and the Bulldogs will be 5-0 to start a season for the first time since 1993.
"Everyone in our pack looks forward to the challenge because everyone says we're not the biggest pack but we want to take it to other teams," Hayes said.
"I'm just loving the first few rounds and the opportunity that 'Ciro' has given me and come off the bench and make an impact.
"It's my job to come on and make a difference and keep our intensity going."
