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A roster overhaul is in full swing at Canterbury and will allow the struggling club to go after some of the game’s brightest prospects including Melbourne's Brandon Smith and Penrith’s Matt Burton.
After a clean-out of its coaching ranks, the Bulldogs have told eight players told they would not be required in season 2021.
Incoming coach Trent Barrett has been busy rebuilding the Bulldogs’ top 30 roster ahead of his arrival at Belmore in November.
On Tuesday, the club confirmed that eight players including Aiden Tolman, Kieran Foran and local junior Marcelo Montoya are not part of Barrett’s plans next season.
On Monday, The Daily Telegraph revealed Barrett had already told Tolman, who has played 221 games over 10 seasons for the Bulldogs, he was not required beyond 2020.
Tolman responded with a standout performance against South Sydney last weekend where he topped the tackle count and made 230 run metres.
Big money recruit Foran could not agree to terms with the Bulldogs on an extension deal and will be looking for a new home in season 2021.
The injury prone halfback only managed 40 games in three seasons.
Saturday’s clash against minor premier’s Penrith will not only serve as a chance for the proud club to avoid the wooden spoon and an audition in front of Barrett but it will also be the last game in Canterbury colours for Tolman, Tim Lafai and Jesse Sue.
Also moving on is playmaker Jack Cogger, who struggled to cement a place in the halves after joining the club in 2019.
Bulldogs players unwanted in season 2021
Aiden Tolman
Kieran Foran
Marcelo Montoya
Kerrod Holland (retired)
Jack Cogger
Jesse Sue
Tim Lafai
Isaiah Tass
Centre Kerrod Holland announced his retirement earlier this month and the club won’t be re-signing Norths Devils Mackay junior Isaiah Tass.
Canterbury CEO Andrew Hill said the players would always be part of the Bulldogs ‘family’.
“These decisions are never easy and it is important that we acknowledge each individual person for what they brought to the club and for giving their all while they were here,” Hill said.
The roster overhaul opens the door for the club to target the likes of boom playmaker Burton and robust hooker Smith. It’s also understood discreet inquires have been made about Harry Grant, Charlie Staines and Panthers breakout star Stephen Crichton.
The Daily Telegraph understands Smith is a top priority target for the club – which has not been able to secure an elite hooker since Michael Ennis departed at the end of 2014.
The player movements come after the Bulldogs announced a clean-out of its coaching ranks with head coach Barrett seeking to assemble his own staff.
Interim coach Steve Georgallis was also let go as part of the stages.
Newcastle’s David Furner and Cronulla’s Craig Sandercock will join Barrett as his assistant coaches. Former Tigers coach Mick Potter has been installed as Mounties head coach and North Queensland’s David Tangata-Toa has been added as a transition coach.
Bulldogs coaching staff for 2021
Head coach: Trent Barrett
Assistant coach: David Furner
Assistant coach: Craig Sandercock
Transition coach: David Tangata-Toa
Mounties head coach: Mick Potter
After a clean-out of its coaching ranks, the Bulldogs have told eight players told they would not be required in season 2021.
Incoming coach Trent Barrett has been busy rebuilding the Bulldogs’ top 30 roster ahead of his arrival at Belmore in November.
On Tuesday, the club confirmed that eight players including Aiden Tolman, Kieran Foran and local junior Marcelo Montoya are not part of Barrett’s plans next season.
On Monday, The Daily Telegraph revealed Barrett had already told Tolman, who has played 221 games over 10 seasons for the Bulldogs, he was not required beyond 2020.
Tolman responded with a standout performance against South Sydney last weekend where he topped the tackle count and made 230 run metres.
Big money recruit Foran could not agree to terms with the Bulldogs on an extension deal and will be looking for a new home in season 2021.
The injury prone halfback only managed 40 games in three seasons.
Saturday’s clash against minor premier’s Penrith will not only serve as a chance for the proud club to avoid the wooden spoon and an audition in front of Barrett but it will also be the last game in Canterbury colours for Tolman, Tim Lafai and Jesse Sue.
Also moving on is playmaker Jack Cogger, who struggled to cement a place in the halves after joining the club in 2019.
Bulldogs players unwanted in season 2021
Aiden Tolman
Kieran Foran
Marcelo Montoya
Kerrod Holland (retired)
Jack Cogger
Jesse Sue
Tim Lafai
Isaiah Tass
Centre Kerrod Holland announced his retirement earlier this month and the club won’t be re-signing Norths Devils Mackay junior Isaiah Tass.
Canterbury CEO Andrew Hill said the players would always be part of the Bulldogs ‘family’.
“These decisions are never easy and it is important that we acknowledge each individual person for what they brought to the club and for giving their all while they were here,” Hill said.
The roster overhaul opens the door for the club to target the likes of boom playmaker Burton and robust hooker Smith. It’s also understood discreet inquires have been made about Harry Grant, Charlie Staines and Panthers breakout star Stephen Crichton.
The Daily Telegraph understands Smith is a top priority target for the club – which has not been able to secure an elite hooker since Michael Ennis departed at the end of 2014.
The player movements come after the Bulldogs announced a clean-out of its coaching ranks with head coach Barrett seeking to assemble his own staff.
Interim coach Steve Georgallis was also let go as part of the stages.
Newcastle’s David Furner and Cronulla’s Craig Sandercock will join Barrett as his assistant coaches. Former Tigers coach Mick Potter has been installed as Mounties head coach and North Queensland’s David Tangata-Toa has been added as a transition coach.
Bulldogs coaching staff for 2021
Head coach: Trent Barrett
Assistant coach: David Furner
Assistant coach: Craig Sandercock
Transition coach: David Tangata-Toa
Mounties head coach: Mick Potter
