The Bulldogs were first in the NRL early last season, but a couple of brutal recruitment and retention calls has left Cameron Ciraldo with more unknowns than certainties heading in 2026.
The decision to axe halfback Toby Sexton and hooker Reed Mahoney in favour of Lachlan Galvin and Bailey Hayward derailed their 2025 season and has the potential to the same next year.
Galvin has the potential to be the best five-eighth in the game, but he is not a halfback, while Hayward has defensive issues as a hooker and his best spot is also in the halves at halfback or five-eighth.
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Meanwhile, Matt Burton has improved as a five-eighth, but there remain doubts around his ability to be a premiership winning playmaker and his best position could still be in the centres.
And Connor Tracey is a solid fullback and never lets the team down, but there are fears the Bulldogs need an elite No.1 to match the top teams in the NRL.
The problem coach Ciraldo has is the Bulldogs have little room to move in their salary cap to chase new players, so they may have to rely on getting better from within their walls.
The Bulldogs have 11 players coming off-contract in 2026, including Tracey, Viliame Kikau, Kurt Mann and Marcelo Montoya, who the club would ideally like to keep.
Josh Curran is reportedly a player coming off-contract, who the club would be prepared to part ways with to free up salary cap space.
In 2027 Ciraldo has six players coming off-contract, including Bronson Xerri, Jacob Preston, Jaeman Salmon, Matt Burton, Max King and Mitchell Woods, all of whom the club would like to keep in an ideal world.
A look at the players the Bulldogs have signed long-term beyond 2027 gives a hint as to who they are building their future around.
Stephen Crichton (2031), Leo Thompson (2029), and Galvin, Hayward, Jacob Kiraz and Sitili Tupouniua (2028) are all locked in long-term.
That leaves the Bulldogs with 19 players coming off-contract over the next two seasons, so Ciraldo will have to be shrewd on who he re-signs and who he lets go, if he wants to target some star players in his bid to win a drought-breaking first premiership since 2004.
The Bulldogs improved in 2025 and did well to make the top four, but their straight sets exit in the finals shows they still have a long way to go to win an elusive title.
Read on for the Bulldogs’ roster state of play.
Katoa ruled out of the 2026 season | 03:55
THE HALVES CONUNDRUM
The Bulldogs made the decision that Toby Sexton was not the halfback to bring them a title, but now they need to work out who is.
Lachlan Galvin came to the club on a four-year deal halfway through last season and played most of his 14 games at halfback, but his best position is five-eighth.
The 20-year-old has scored nine tries in 45 NRL games since his debut in 2024 and has enormous potential as an NRL playmaker, but he is not a seasoned No.7 at this stage and many experts say he never will be.
Galvin’s game is suited to a roaming five-eighth role and the ability to pop up and take opportunities when they present themselves.
Being the chief playmaker takes away from what he does best and continuing to play him at halfback just short-changes Galvin and the club.
The Bulldogs are eyeing young gun Mitchell Woods as their long-term project at halfback, but he is yet to debut in the NRL.
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Lachlan Galvin is set to play halfback again in 2026.Source: Getty Images
The 19-year-old scored four tries in nine games for the Bulldogs in his rookie season in the NSW Cup in 2025, and while he is tipped for an NRL debut at some point next season, it is unlikely to be in Round 1.
The club also have Bailey Hayward, who played his juniors at halfback and has played both No.7 and No.6 in first grade, but the club have earmarked him as their long-term hooker.
The 24-year-old has scored two tries in 46 games for the Bulldogs since his debut in 2024 and finished last season as the club’s starting No.9.
However, some feel the Bulldogs would be better off playing Hayward at halfback, with Galvin at five-eighth and searching for an elite dummyhalf to target on the open market.
Clearly seeing a void at halfback due to Woods’ inexperience, the club has brought in veteran playmaker Sean O’Sullivan from the Dolphins as an insurance policy to add some depth at No.7.
Matt Burton’s best position could still be in the centres.Source: Getty Images
The 27-year-old has scored seven tries in 60 NRL games for the Roosters, Broncos, Warriors, Panthers and Dolphins and could play the chief playmaker role, while Woods continues his development in reserve grade.
Matt Burton is the elephant in the room because if Galvin eventually moves to five-eighth, the former Dally M centre of the year will have to switch to the edge.
The 25-year-old has scored 25 tries in 91 games for the Bulldogs over four seasons, but his career at five-eighth for the club hasn’t reached the heights of his 20 tries in 32 games for the Panthers playing predominantly at centre.
Partnering Burton with skipper Stephen Crichton would give the Bulldogs one of the best centre pairings in the NRL, but it is dependent on either O’Sullivan or Woods stepping up as the chief playmaker at No.7.
Mitchell Woods is yet to debut in the NRL but has a big future at the Bulldogs.Source: News Corp Australia
The make-up of their halves will be crucial in improving the Bulldogs’ attack in 2026, as they failed to match their staunch defence in that area last season.
The Bulldogs need to come up with more points to beat the elite teams in the NRL and much of that aim will come down to who wears the No.6 and No.7 jerseys next season.
At this stage, Burton and Galvin will pick up where they left off in the halves in Round 1, but unless there is a dramatic improvement in their attack, they may not finish the season in those spots.
Katoa ruled out of the 2026 season | 03:55
THE HOOKER HEADACHE
Like Sexton in the halves, Ciraldo made the call that Reed Mahoney was not the club’s long-term hooker, but it remains to be seen if Bailey Hayward is the right man for the job.
The 24-year-old is a gutsy young player with the right attitude and has impressed with his versatility in his NRL career to date.
However, his small stature leads to opposition teams targeting him in defence at times and the No.9 jersey is no place to hide.
Hayward missed a whopping 12 tackles in the finals loss to the Storm last year and while he made a team high 47, the Bulldogs can’t afford that many misses in the middle of the field.
Hayward’s best position is arguably bench utility, given he can cover the halves and hooker and even lock off the bench if injuries strike, but he doesn’t have to make as many tackles in the No.9 hot seat.
He has also played most of his junior footy in the halves and one feels the Bulldogs may be better served playing him at halfback, than trying to fashion him into a hooker to meet their own needs in that area. Needs they created by moving Mahoney on.
Bailey Hayward is set to start at hooker in 2026.Source: Getty Images
With Mahoney now at the Cowboys, Ciraldo has signed former Manly hooker Gordon Chan Kum Tong to add some depth and provide a back-up to Hayward.
The 23-year-old scored one try in 14 games for Manly since his debut in 2023, but was released by the club following the 2025 season, after playing just two matches.
Chan Kum Tong is a handy back-up at best at this stage of his career, so the Bulldogs can’t afford for Hayward to get injured or it could derail their season.
However, even if he plays every game, there are doubts Hayward can reach the levels of the elite hookers in the game and the club may need to consider going to market in the future.
PVL declares R360 will not last | 00:39
SEARCH FOR ELITE FULLBACK
Connor Tracey cemented the Bulldogs’ No.1 jersey over his first two seasons at the club and has been solid and reliable, if not spectacular at the back.
The 29-year-old beat former Souths’ star Blake Taaffe to the No.1 jersey and he has now left the club to join Castleford.
Tracey has scored 38 tries in 112 games for the Rabbitohs, Sharks and Bulldogs since his debut in 2019, but has only established himself as a full-time No.1 at the Bulldogs.
The versatile Tracey can cover every position in the backline, but has found a home at fullback in 46 games for the Bulldogs over the last two seasons, scoring 11 tries.
Originally skipper Stephen Crichton was expected to transition from the centres to the fullback role at the Bulldogs long-term, but it appears he is set to stay in the centres.
Winger Jacob Kiraz has also filled in for Tracey at fullback when he has been injured and has a future in the position after starring there for Lebanon.
With 35 tries in 78 NRL games, Kiraz will be putting pressure on Tracey to keep the jersey next season.
Connor Tracey is a solid but not elite fullback.Source: Supplied
The Bulldogs have also signed Sharks’ fullback Kade Dykes for 2026 to provide cover for Tracey and Kiraz at the back.
The 23-year-old debuted for the Sharks in 2022 and was highly regarded, but back-to-back ACL injuries have put his NRL career on hold.
He will be motivated to get his career back on track at his new club and that will create strong competition for spots in the squad.
While Tracey is a solid first grader, he is not an elite fullback and given the importance of the position in the modern game, Ciraldo may need to be on the lookout for an upgrade, be it Kiraz or a player on the open market.
Tracey is also entering a contract year, so it remains to be seen if the club sees him as their long-term solution in the No.1 and he needs a big year to convince the Bulldogs to re-sign him.
V’landys declares R360 won’t last | 00:34
ENFORCER VOID
Aside from their spine issues, the Bulldogs have been lacking some firepower in the front row for a long time.
While Max King has been a revelation for the club and the cornerstone of their pack, they have lacked some X-factor in the middle of the field.
Enter Leo Thompson, who has joined the Bulldogs from the Knights on a four-year deal in 2026.
The 25-year-old has scored three tries in 80 NRL games for the Knights since his debut in 2022 and has also scored a try in five Tests for New Zealand to date.
Thompson is exactly the type of fire and brimstone front-rower the Bulldogs need to fight fire with fire against the likes of the Broncos’ Payne Haas and the Sharks’ Addin Fonua-Blake.
Leo Thompson was poor in his last season at the Knights.Source: Supplied
However, Thompson is a level below those two superstars and he is coming off a disappointing season for the wooden spoon winning Knights where he played just 16 games.
Thompson needs to get back to the consistent form that saw him play 48 games in 2023 and 2024 for the Knights, which earned him a debut for the Kiwis.
The club has also boosted their front row stocks with the signing of Fletcher Baker from the Broncos.
The 25-year-old played just two games for the premiers last year, but with 60 NRL to his name, he will add some experience and depth to their engine room.
The Bulldogs also have Sam Hughes, Daniel Suluka-Fifota and Jack Todd on their books, so they will be hoping for some improvement from within their squad.
However, Josh Curran has been linked with a potential exit from the club and if they free up some salary cap space don’t rule out the Bulldogs going to market for another star middle.
Eels release Lomax from contract | 00:44
CIRALDO VISION UNDER FIRE
You have to give Cameron Ciraldo credit, he knows what he wants to do to build the Bulldogs back into a premiership contender and he is prepared to make the tough calls in order to achieve that aim.
Ciraldo was not short on critics for his brutal decision to axe Mahoney and Sexton last year, but he is at the coalface and knows what it takes to build a dynasty from his time at the Panthers as an assistant.
More importantly, he stands by his convictions and isn’t swayed by public pressure or the media.
But make no mistake, 22 years without a premiership is a lifetime for a proud club like the Bulldogs and their fan base won’t be happy until they lift the trophy again.
Ciraldo has chosen to take a long-term approach to his rebuild in order to get sustainable success, but the to build a dynasty you also have to win that first premiership and Bulldogs fans have waited a long time.
Cameron Ciraldo’s vision has been questioned.Source: News Corp Australia
Granted, the Bulldogs were ahead of schedule by leading the competition last year, but that didn’t make their finals fade-out any easier to swallow.
Particularly when from the outside in, a couple of Ciraldo’s selection calls were perceived to be the reason behind their end of year form slump.
Galvin could very well be the best five-eighth in the game in five years and Mitchell Woods could be a revelation at halfback.
But the Bulldogs’ faithful also want to win now and if they go backwards next season after making the top four in 2025, the heat will be turned up on Ciraldo, particularly if Galvin and Hayward struggle at halfback and hooker.
In a results driven business, Ciraldo is like any other coach in the NRL, he has to win and when he makes big roster calls, he has to live or die by the results.
Huge changes being explored for NRL | 01:20
WHO THEY COULD TARGET?
Based on their current roster, the positions the Bulldogs can improve in are hooker, halfback, fullback and prop in that order.
Much will depend on how Galvin, Woods and Hayward perform next season, but there is definitely an argument the Bulldogs need an elite dummyhalf and a seasoned campaigner in the No.7 jersey to contend for a title.
Broncos’ pair Cory Paix and Billy Walters would be excellent options for the Bulldogs at hooker, as both are tough and reliable defenders and workers that fit the club’s DNA.
That would allow Hayward to come off the bench and be the ‘Mr. Fix It’ utility that most suits his game.
If Galvin and Woods are not ready to be the No.7, the Bulldogs should look to target Souths halfback Jamie Humphreys or Storm counterpart Tyran Wishart to be their chief playmaker.
Humphreys didn’t light the world on fire at Souths last year, but he is tipped for a big future and if Souths don’t lock him up, the Bulldogs could pounce.
Wishart has shown he has the makings of a reliable NRL playmaker and that would allow Galvin to switch to five-eighth and Burton to move to the centres, until Woods is ready to step up in the future.
There is also an argument Tracey is not the elite level fullback to match the likes of Reece Walsh, Dylan Edwards and James Tedesco, so if Kiraz is not the man they could look to improve in that area.
The club has already been linked to Tigers fullback Jahream Bula and while he is not an elite No.1 yet, he is of the age and potential to be one in the future.
Bula is contracted to the Tigers for two more seasons but the Galvin situation showed that doesn’t always mean he will stay there.
Jahream Bula has been linked with the Bulldogs.Source: Getty Images
Another option would be to look at a player like Selwyn Cobbo and bring him to Belmore to be their long-term fullback after his one year stint with the Dolphins.
William Kennedy is another player with a point to prove, who looks like getting forced out of the Sharks due to salary cap pressures.
Reuben Garrick is another option, given he has been linked with an exit from Manly and is a solid fullback and a reliable goal kicker, but that might not be much of an upgrade on what they have now.
In the engine room, the Bulldogs are hoping Leo Thompson is the missing piece, but if an elite front-rower becomes available, they would be mad not to make a play, particularly if they can offload Curran to free up salary cap space.
Payne Haas is unlikely to leave the Broncos, but every club in the NRL would want his signature.
Failing that unlikely option, Souths’ star Keaon Koloamatangi and Panthers pair Lindsay Smith and Liam Henry would be the type of players that could make a real difference to the Bulldogs’ pack and title aspirations. And all three have been linked with an exit from their current clubs.
Of course the Bulldogs won’t have the salary cap room to get all these targets, but they need to work out which players are going to work and which ones will need to be replaced because if they roll out the same side as last year, it is unlikely to get them where they want to go, which is the top of the NRL and a first title since 2004.
Raiders disappointed to miss Magic Round | 01:17
BULLDOGS 2026 SQUAD
Top 30: Bailey Hayward (2028), Bronson Xerri (2027), Connor Tracey (2026), Daniel Sulka-Fifita (2026), Enari Tuala (2026), Harry Hayes (2029), Jack Todd (2026), Jacob Kiraz (2028), Jacob Preston (2027), Jaeman Salmon (2027), Kade Dykes (2026), Lachlan Galvin (2028), Viliame Kikau (2026), Josh Curran (2026), Kurt Mann (2026), Marcelo Montoya (2026), Leo Thompson (2029), Matt Burton (2027), Max King (2027), Mitchell Woods (2027), Sam Hughes (2026), Sean O’Sullivan (2026), Sitili Tupouniua (2028), Stephen Crichton (2031), Zyon Maiu’u (2026), Finau Latu (2028)
Development players: Fletcher Baker (2026), Jack Underhill (2027), Jethro Rinakama (2027), Lipoi Hopoi (2026), Logan Spinks (2027), Sosai Alatini (2026), Gordon Chan Kum Tong (2027)
2026 gains: Leo Thompson (Knights), Kade Dykes (Sharks), Sean O’Sullivan (Dolphins), Fletcher Baker (Broncos), Gordon Chan Kum Tong (Sea Eagles)
2026 losses: Toby Sexton (Catalans), Reed Mahoney (Cowboys), Blake Taaffe (Castleford), Kurtis Morrin (Titans), Blake Wilson (Sea Eagles)
OFF-CONTRACT IN 2026 BY POSITION
FULLBACK
Jayden Campbell, Tom Chester, Kade Dykes, Sione Fonua, Trai Fuller, Jye Gray, William Kennedy, Luke Laulilii, Heath Mason, Nick Meaney, Sean Russell, Tyrell Sloan, James Tedesco, Connor Tracey, Taine Tuaupiki
WING
Josh Addo-Carr, Michael Asomua, Selwyn Cobbo, Mathew Feagai, Reuben Garrick, Moala Graham-Taufa, Jamayne Isaako, Thomas Jenkins, Sione Katoa, Greg Marzhew, Marcelo Montoya, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Jaxson Paulo, Richard Penisini, Phillip Sami, Sam Stonestreet, Jed Stuart, Jake Tago, Murray Taulagi, Christian Tuipulotu, Daniel Tupou, Will Warbrick
CENTRE
Jesse Arthars, Jake Averillo, Rocco Berry, Jack Bird, Braidon Burns, Wilson De Courcey, Max Feagai, Dane Gagai, Delouise Hoeter, Brian Kelly, Nathan Lawson, Will Penisini, Jesse Ramien, Solomone Saukuru, Aaron Schoupp, Jeral Skelton, Enari Tuala, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Chris Vea’ila
FIVE-EIGHTH
Jack Cole, Tyson Gamble, Te Maire Martin, Josh Rogers, Trent Toelau, Manaia Waitere, Cody Walker
HALFBACK
Coby Black, Tanah Boyd, Daly Cherry-Evans, Jake Clifford, Jamie Humphreys, Tom Duffy, Chanel Harris-Tavita, Zac Herdegen, Kodi Nikorima, Jaxon Purdue, Niwhai Puru, Adam Reynolds, Brad Schneider, Ronald Volkman, Tyran Wishart
PROP
Tom Ale, Jake Clydsdale, Harrison Edwards, Sione Fainu, Emre Guler, Payne Haas, Braden Hamlin-Uele, Tuku Hau Tapuha, Liam Henry, Samuel Hughes, Jaiyden Hunt, Jaimin Jolliffe, Tui Kamikamica, Sean Keppie, Kaiden Lahrs, Simione Laiafi, Blake Lawrie, Matthew Lodge, Ata Mariota, Sam McIntyre, Francis Molo, Michael Molo, Josh Papalii, Junior Paulo, Toby Rudolf, Lindsay Smith, Daniel Suluka-Fifita, Siosiua Taukeiaho, Xavier Va’a
HOOKER
Jayden Berrell, Damien Cook, Lachlan Croker, Zach Dockar-Clay, Harry Grant, Tristan Hope, Freddy Lussick, Cameron McInnes, Zaidas Muagututia, Cory Paix, Jake Simpkin, Sam Verrills, Billy Walters
SECOND ROW
John Bateman, Shawn Blore, Billy Burns, Thomas Cant, Kurt Capewell, Angus Crichton, Beau Fermor, Tyson Frizell, Luke Garner, Mavrik Geyer, Jack Gosiewski, Charlie Guymer, Eddie Ieremia-Toeava, Brodie Jones, Oryn Keeley, Viliame Kikau, Mason Kira, Keaon Koloamatangi, Karl Lawton, Luciano Leilua, Connelly Lemuelu, Zyon Maiu’u, Toni Mataele, Ryan Matterson, Max McCarthy, Marata Niukore, Kai O’Donnell, Joe Roddy, Scott Sorensen, Tony Sukkar, Lewis Symonds, Siosifa Talakai, Kelma Tuilagi, James Walsh, Siua Wong
LOCK
Nathan Brown, Josh Curran, Jesse Colquhoun, Matthew Eisenhuth, Kalani Going, Lipoi Hopoi, Blake Hosking, Kit Laulilii, Liam Le Blanc, Kurt Mann, Hohepa Puru, Hame Sele, Morgan Smithies, Ray Stone, Jack Todd, Jake Trbojevic, Dylan Walker