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The Bulldogs are preparing to rip this year’s underachieving squad apart — check out which players are in the firing line.
The Daily Telegraph has been told the Bulldogs are preparing to rip this year’s underachieving squad apart in a desperate bid to be aggressive in the open market.
A 0-5 start has Canterbury’s board nervously monitoring every aspect of the football club’s operations. A loss to fellow cellar-dwellers North Queensland on Sunday in Townsville will only add to the growing angst at Belmore.
There is no suggestion coach Trent Barrett’s position is tenuous but the board won’t be sitting idle as the losses mount. Canterbury’s board is becoming increasingly uneasy over the awful results amid accusations players simply “aren’t aiming up”.
Off-contract players Will Hopoate, Dylan Napa, Sione Katoa, Ofahiki Ogden, Lachlan Lewis, Christian Crichton, Dean Britt, Jeremy Marshall-King, Brandon Wakeham and Chris Smith will all struggle to be re-signed.
Dylan Napa and fellow off-contract Bulldogs players face being dumped at season’s end. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
The club hasn’t yet formally told any player they are unwanted for 2022 but most are aware their future at Canterbury looks bleak.
Former Melbourne player Joe Stimson – not off contract until the end of next season – also faces an uncertain future.
Napa is the biggest star under increasing pressure to earn a new deal. His tenure at Belmore has been dogged with ongoing speculation about his future and form.
Bulldogs directors are united in offering Barrett as much as support as possible in a desperate bid to halt the heavy defeats. Canterbury has lost each match this year by an average of 28 points.
There had been suggestions the Bulldogs wanted Souths prop Liam Knight in a mid-season transfer but the approach was rejected.
Off field, Canterbury remains in a robust financial position through healthy corporate sponsorship while Canterbury Leagues Club has emerged from COVID strongly.
Publicly, Canterbury management won’t concede season 2021 is over but there is a private realisation the year will be a write off.
A frustrated Barrett continues to work tirelessly to somehow extract his club from their dire predicament.
Canterbury can only see one way out – going hard in the player market.
The Bulldogs continue to express an interest in Kotoni Staggs but the club is aware the Brisbane star is now likely to remain with the Broncos.
Canterbury is aware the hooking position is a problem and that the club needs a further two quality forwards.
Officials from Canterbury also know a new coach at Cronulla – the respected Craig Fitzgibbon – could be immediately active in the player market.
The Bulldogs have lost matches this year by 32-16, 28-0, 24-0, 38-0 and 52-18. The team has scored an average of 6.8 points per game.
The Daily Telegraph has been told the Bulldogs are preparing to rip this year’s underachieving squad apart in a desperate bid to be aggressive in the open market.
A 0-5 start has Canterbury’s board nervously monitoring every aspect of the football club’s operations. A loss to fellow cellar-dwellers North Queensland on Sunday in Townsville will only add to the growing angst at Belmore.
There is no suggestion coach Trent Barrett’s position is tenuous but the board won’t be sitting idle as the losses mount. Canterbury’s board is becoming increasingly uneasy over the awful results amid accusations players simply “aren’t aiming up”.
Off-contract players Will Hopoate, Dylan Napa, Sione Katoa, Ofahiki Ogden, Lachlan Lewis, Christian Crichton, Dean Britt, Jeremy Marshall-King, Brandon Wakeham and Chris Smith will all struggle to be re-signed.
Dylan Napa and fellow off-contract Bulldogs players face being dumped at season’s end. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
The club hasn’t yet formally told any player they are unwanted for 2022 but most are aware their future at Canterbury looks bleak.
Former Melbourne player Joe Stimson – not off contract until the end of next season – also faces an uncertain future.
Napa is the biggest star under increasing pressure to earn a new deal. His tenure at Belmore has been dogged with ongoing speculation about his future and form.
Bulldogs directors are united in offering Barrett as much as support as possible in a desperate bid to halt the heavy defeats. Canterbury has lost each match this year by an average of 28 points.
There had been suggestions the Bulldogs wanted Souths prop Liam Knight in a mid-season transfer but the approach was rejected.
Off field, Canterbury remains in a robust financial position through healthy corporate sponsorship while Canterbury Leagues Club has emerged from COVID strongly.
Publicly, Canterbury management won’t concede season 2021 is over but there is a private realisation the year will be a write off.
A frustrated Barrett continues to work tirelessly to somehow extract his club from their dire predicament.
Canterbury can only see one way out – going hard in the player market.
The Bulldogs continue to express an interest in Kotoni Staggs but the club is aware the Brisbane star is now likely to remain with the Broncos.
Canterbury is aware the hooking position is a problem and that the club needs a further two quality forwards.
Officials from Canterbury also know a new coach at Cronulla – the respected Craig Fitzgibbon – could be immediately active in the player market.
The Bulldogs have lost matches this year by 32-16, 28-0, 24-0, 38-0 and 52-18. The team has scored an average of 6.8 points per game.
