Forward depth

[Papa Joe]

JACK TODD - Big, Mobile, Athletic, Great Hands, Great Feet, Great Movement - all summed up in his break that led to the no try.

He is the one that will be playing finals in 2025 in our top 171st Grade Team IMO

-

CASSIUS TIA - My guess is that he will be groomed as our long term 13 from what I saw IMO, maybe not this year - definitely in 2026

 

[sifter6]

This is my thoughts also. Ciro is never spontaneous. He stays loyal which is a good trait. However Ciro really shows to much at times.

in 2023 he persisted with Perham way too long. When he was replaced we looked so much better.

In 2024 he played Hutch for way too long. (Playing Hom at all tbh) Sexton isn’t a world beater but he is a massive upgrade on Hutch. I think we comfortably make the 4 of this decision is made weeks earlier.

I just hope he doesn’t hold back match winners to see how they develop.

Todd has to be on the bench from round 1. He is more than just a Prop. He has speed, footwork, ball playing. Give him a crack!

I would also be giving Tia a bench spot. His point of difference gives us XFactor we don’t really have.

14. Tia
15. Sitili
16. Curran
17. Todd

Is Tia Top 30?

 

[KiwiDog7]

I wasn't able to watch the game today. I'll search for a replay in the next day or two.

But tonight was a really small sample size. I've heard Hayes wasn't impressive tonight, while I heard Hopoi was good. Whereas last year Hayes offered more impact and played more NRL than Hopoi. So we can't comprehensively say that any player is poor from tonight with certainty. Just that some played well, others were underdone.

Ultimately it's all positive signs that we have more options than previous years. Seems like we're better equipped with options for the engine room anyway.

Hayes was solid and has added a late offload to his game

 

[CMP]

Is Tia Top 30?

unfortunately I don’t think he is

 

[D.O.W.]

I was very very supirsed by DSF and his motor, ran heaps, tackled heaps and looked very fit! Impressive and will be pressing for a bench spot. We got what we were expecting out of Amone from DSF which is fine. Todd the clear standout, looked a class above the whole game. Also Cochrane, Smith and Cassius were fantastic. I am very keen to see Cassius given some time next week with the big boys, he looked class and i am hoping is our number 1 backup for 5/8 and half this year over Hutcho. Zyon looked very raw but can see will be great, didnt lack effort.

Cassius is a big unit for a half, very impressed with everything he did…. with all the noise about Woods, I wonder if Cassius is the one to watch. Cochrane looks like a player of the future and Todd/Underhill gave us an insight into what they’re about.

 

[D.O.W.]

unfortunately I don’t think he is

It’s madness, I haven’t seen much of him, but wow, he looks really impressive. Surprised he’s not in the 30 but surely that changes. Super confident kid and has all the attributes.

 

[D0GMATIC]

I wasn't able to watch the game today. I'll search for a replay in the next day or two.

But tonight was a really small sample size. I've heard Hayes wasn't impressive tonight, while I heard Hopoi was good. Whereas last year Hayes offered more impact and played more NRL than Hopoi. So we can't comprehensively say that any player is poor from tonight with certainty. Just that some played well, others were underdone.

Ultimately it's all positive signs that we have more options than previous years. Seems like we're better equipped with options for the engine room anyway.

It's great to have the depth we do now,but it does mean some tough decisions will need to be made in the next 18 months. We only have 6 spots available for 2026,so some of these guys are gonna have to go

 

[TwinTurbo]

Is Tia Top 30?

unfortunately I don’t think he is

Bulldogs Officially Unveil 2025 NRL Squad

The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 2025 NRL squad has been unveiled at the Club’s 90-Year Anniversary Gala ahead of season kick-off on March 8.

www.bulldogs.com.au

The NRL Train and Trial Players are as follows:
Alekolasimi Jones
Cassius Tia
Danny Gabrael
Jack Underhill
Luke Smith
Reuben Moyle
Taye Cochrane


For reference Train & Trial means;
$1,200 per week
$3,000 per NRL Game Bonus
Not allowed to play NRL until Round 11
Playing 3 NRL games means upgrade to Supplementary Player


Team Work

 

[ddt192]

Cassius is a big unit for a half, very impressed with everything he did…. with all the noise about Woods, I wonder if Cassius is the one to watch. Cochrane looks like a player of the future and Todd/Underhill gave us an insight into what they’re about.

I reckon Tia will end up at lock tbh. He’s what we all thought Oloapu was gonna be.

 

[wendog33]

Tia to transition to Fullback anyone?

 

[D0GMATIC]

Tia to transition to Fullback anyone?

I have a feeling 13 will be in his future

 

[wendog33]

I have a feeling 13 will be in his future

Fair enough too for sure but we need a fullback so he could possibly fit the bill with dedicated training for the position.

Good size, passing, brilliant kicking game from the back, good speed, ability to join into the backline, good hands....might be a good move for him as well.

Just a thought. Cochrane went well but will he be robust enough? Time will tell. One thing we do know our players will get every assistance from our club to fulfill their promise...if they put the work in...no easy rides around Belmore way anymore

 

[wendog33]

Link is good. Bloke in a Bar going nuts over Todd

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[D0GMATIC]

Fair enough too for sure but we need a fullback so he could possibly fit the bill with dedicated training for the position.

Good size, passing, brilliant kicking game from the back, good speed, ability to join into the backline, good hands....might be a good move for him as well.

Just a thought. Cochrane went well but will he be robust enough? Time will tell. One thing we do know our players will get every assistance from our club to fulfill their promise...if they put the work in...no easy rides around Belmore way anymore

He definitely looks to have all the skills doesn't he. He was getting plenty of praise on here last year, I can see why now. Cochrane looks like another year of training and weights will do him the world of good.Similar to Woods in that respect

 

[Dogs4EVA-1]

JACK TODD - Big, Mobile, Athletic, Great Hands, Great Feet, Great Movement - all summed up in his break that led to the no try.

He is the one that will be playing finals in 2025 in our top 171st Grade Team IMO

-

CASSIUS TIA - My guess is that he will be groomed as our long term 13 from what I saw IMO, maybe not this year - definitely in 2026

whats Tia height and weight? i'm not sure hes a 13 nowadays.. Todd would be our longterm 13

 

[CMP]

Fair enough too for sure but we need a fullback so he could possibly fit the bill with dedicated training for the position.

Good size, passing, brilliant kicking game from the back, good speed, ability to join into the backline, good hands....might be a good move for him as well.

Just a thought. Cochrane went well but will he be robust enough? Time will tell. One thing we do know our players will get every assistance from our club to fulfill their promise...if they put the work in...no easy rides around Belmore way anymore

i think Tracey is our only fullback option currently. Cochrane in the glimmer I saw him on the weekend looked like he could be in a similar timeframe to woods. 18 months of gradual development before they launch on the scone.

Tia on the other hand loos ready now! He is old fashioned footballer. Looks like you could throw any number on his back and he would do a job. He has genuine X Factor. Something we are lacking across the squad.

Unfortunately by the looks of it he is only on a train and trial deal. Not even a development player. So cannot be selected.
Gus needs to move some deck chairs imo. Tia and Todd should be on the bench against the Dragons round 1.

 

[wendog33]

i think Tracey is our only fullback option currently. Cochrane in the glimmer I saw him on the weekend looked like he could be in a similar timeframe to woods. 18 months of gradual development before they launch on the scone.

Tia on the other hand loos ready now! He is old fashioned footballer. Looks like you could throw any number on his back and he would do a job. He has genuine X Factor. Something we are lacking across the squad.

Unfortunately by the looks of it he is only on a train and trial deal. Not even a development player. So cannot be selected.
Gus needs to move some deck chairs imo. Tia and Todd should be on the bench against the Dragons round 1.

Like to see Tia and Todd get every opportunity to earn a spot.
We need more strike.
Look as ready as any other we've promoted up to F/G so why not
Ciro won't just yet tho for his own valid reasons.

 

[TwinTurbo]

Like to see Tia and Todd get every opportunity to earn a spot.
We need more strike.
Look as ready as any other we've promoted up to F/G so why not
Ciro won't just yet tho for his own valid reasons.

There are Salary Cap considerations as well, Tia is on a Train and Trial which means $1,200 a week plus $3,000 per NRL Game Bonus. He's not allowed to play NRL until Round 11 and, the real kicker, playing 3 x NRL games means an upgrade to Supplementary Player. Which has a limit of $650k.

Todd is already Top 30 so no issue there, and he was supposed to make his NRL debut last season, so pretty decent chance he will this season.


Team Work

 

[Alan79]

There are Salary Cap considerations as well, Tia is on a Train and Trial which means $1,200 a week plus $3,000 per NRL Game Bonus. He's not allowed to play NRL until Round 11 and, the real kicker, playing 3 x NRL games means an upgrade to Supplementary Player. Which has a limit of $650k.


Team Work

We supposedly still have 700k open in the cap. So that allows us to give youngsters eligible for the $3000 match payments some NRL exposure without getting into cap issues.

 

[CMP]

We supposedly still have 700k open in the cap. So that allows us to give youngsters eligible for the $3000 match payments some NRL exposure without getting into cap issues.

The issue with situations like Tia. Even if you have the spare $. He can’t play so you can’t use it. The only chance for Tia is to move someone else on possibly. My worry is more he is well and truly in the shop window for any club that still has spots available for this season