In these tough COVID times we thought that it was important to update you with information in regard to your club.
There is no denying that this season has been a tough one for all Bulldogs fans.
However, be assured that we are working extremely hard to lay the platform for sustainable success in the future.
With the results of the team at the front and centre of all of our minds, there are many areas of our business that we need to update you on below:
Football Update
Selection
It has been a difficult year based on injury and unavailability.
As part of that the club hasn’t been able to pick its best seventeen at any stage of the season, with 33 players having been used in fifteen games.
In addition, seven of those used have come from outside the original Top 30 (Aaron Schoupp, Ava Seumanufagai, Brad Deitz, Jackson Topine, Bailey Biondi-Odo, Chris Patolo, Falakiko Manu).
We also haven’t been helped by injury with the list of those unavailable a long one:
Jeremy Marshall-King (long term injury)
Christian Crichton (long term injury)
Jayden Okunbor (long term injury)
Chris Smith (long term injury)
Adam Elliott (long term injury)
Nick Cotric (season ending injury)
Brad Deitz (long term injury)
Josh Jackson (long term injury)
Lachlan Lewis (long term injury concussion)
Raymond Faitala-Mariner (long term injury)
Corey Allan (four games out)
Added to that have been the suspensions handed down to Jack Hetherington (5 Weeks) and Luke Thompson (4 weeks), plus the unavailability last week of Dylan Napa, Sione Katoa, Brandon Wakeham, Corey Waddell and Aaron Schoupp.
In summary, this has made for a tough year in terms of continuity of selection and consistency.
Player Signings and Retention
This week provided some great news for Bulldogs supporters with both Jeremy Marshall-King and Ava Seumanufagaire-signing with the Club for a further two years.
Our Football Committee is now diligently and responsibly working towards the retention of players for season 2022 and beyond, along with discussions to complement the signings of Josh Addo-Carr, Matt Burton and Brent Naden, by bringing in the right players to add value to our squad.
We are hopeful of having further announcements in this area in the coming weeks.
Development and Pathways
We are delighted with the progress being made within our Pathways system, including the recent NRL debuts of Aaron Schoupp, Jackson Topine, Chris Patolo, Kiko Manu and Bailey Biondi-Odo.
In addition, we have star junior Paul Alamoti joining our Top 30 for next season.
We are also looking to create a new Centre of Excellence that will be used by all of our Pathways teams, with more information to follow in coming months.
Overseeing all of this will be former Bulldogs player, Barry Ward, who was recently appointed as General Manager of Pathways and Junior League. Many of you will know Barry and will understand what a great asset he will be in this role.
Player Departures
It is always sad to see players leave Belmore but decisions have had to be made in relation to creating the right depth in our squad for next season.
For that reason we have recently seen Dallin Watene-Zelezniak head to the Warriors and Nick Meaney join the Storm next season.
As always they have represented the club with pride and we know that Nick will be looking to finish the season strongly for us in the coming weeks.
Steve Hansen
We have been extremely fortunate to have former All Blacks coach Steve Hansen visit us for 10 days in recent weeks.
It was the first time that Steve had been able to come across and meet everyone face to face and it was great to be able to canvass his views in a number of areas and for him to talk with Coaches, Players and Staff.
WATCH BELOW | Steve Hansen speaks on his visit to Belmore. |
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Junior League
Our Junior League has been going from strength to strength in terms of numbers and we are delighted that more young players than ever will take the field this season.
On top of that great news we are also celebrating 100 years of our Junior League and as part of that celebration we have created a video that acknowledges each club in our Junior League In Focus series.
WATCH | Junior League In Focus Series
Below is a link to our latest instalment, featuring the Chester Hill Hornets. |
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Membership Update
COVID-19 Impacts & Upcoming Matches
As the Greater Sydney lockdown has been extended, our match against the Sydney Roosters this Saturday will again be played behind closed doors at Bankwest Stadium.
Whilst we understand these conditions impact our Member & Fan experience, our highest priority is the ongoing health and safety of the community, and we thank you for your ongoing patience and support.
As soon as a decision has been reached on a suitable venue for our Round 20 match against the Gold Coast Titans, it will be announced via the Club's website, email and social media channels.
We are currently in discussion with our Sydney venue operators, with Belmore Sports Ground also being considered, however dependent on Government COVID regulations.
Round 20 v Gold Coast Titans
We are currently in discussion with our Sydney Venues around where we will play this match against the Titans and will let you know as soon as a decision has been reached.
Belmore Sports Ground will be considered for this game dependent on Government COVID regulations
Round 21 v Wests Tigers
We are on track to hold this match at Belmore Sports Ground dependent on Government COVID regulations.
Members Forum
Due to recent Government COVID regulations we had to postpone our latest Members Forum at Canterbury League Club.
We are now working towards a new date and will let you know as soon as we have formalised one. |
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Stadia Update
Government Update
We are in continual dialogue with State and Local Government around potential funding, although no decisions have yet been made around where that funding may be allocated.
Belmore Sports Ground
The Bulldogs remain long term tenants at Belmore Sports Ground.
This is where our Head Office and NRL Training Facilities reside and we have no intention of moving.
The Club will continue to play all Junior League Grand Finals at Belmore Sports Ground.
The Club will play all pathways representative home games (male and female) at Belmore Sports Ground.
The Club are about to commence a major refurbishment of our offices at Belmore Sports Ground.
In summary we are, and remain, committed to Belmore Sports Ground as the home base of the Bulldogs.
The ability of playing more NRL games at Belmore Sports Ground will continue to be controlled by the NRL TV Rights deal and State Government stadia policy.
We are in active and ongoing discussions with all levels of government (local, state and federal), as well as the NRL, to lobby for more funding to both maintain and upgrade Belmore Sports Ground.
The Bulldogs remain resolutely committed to Belmore Sports Ground being our home base into the future. |
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Sponsorship Update
Carroll & O'Dea
The Club is delighted to announce that Carroll & O’Dea Lawyers have come on board as Naming Rights Partner of our Membership program for the next three years.
Managing Partner, Hanaan Indari, has been a lifelong Bulldogs fan and will bring a real energy and passion to the partnership.
We look forward as a club to working with Carroll & O'Dea to build on our Membership program in the future.
WATCH BELOW | Carroll & O'Dea partner with the Bulldogs |
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Community Update
The Club recently appointed Fayssal Sari to the role of GM – Community.
Fayssal, previously worked for the Club and is currently creating a Strategic Plan that will expand all of our Community and Charity work.
Engagement Levels through our current programs are outstanding and we look forward to that work continuing in the coming months.
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