Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs News

What is YOUR spine for the Bulldogs in 2027? 🤔

BRUTAL REVIEW 👉 bit.ly/4yoadK3

Bulldogs to snare rising Dragons star on long-term deal

He is the brother of a former Dragon.

The Canterbury Bulldogs are set to land a key signing for the future, with the brother of Talatau Amone to switch out of the St George Illawarra Dragons system.

A rising talent from the Illawarra, Api Amone is set to land a maiden NRL contract with the Bulldogs per a News Corp report that will run to the end of 2029.

At this stage, it appears likely the structure of the deal at Canterbury will see Amone join the development squad in 2029, working his way through pathways until then, although early promotions are common with these sort of deals.

Currently 17 years of age, the rising talent is a strong middle forward forward who will kick-off next year in the SG Ball next year after captaining the Harold Matthews Cup side for the Illawarra Steelers this year.

Already earning representative honours in schoolboy rugby league, Amone's best position moving forward is likely to be lock forward.

Amone also has the ability to play at five-eighth, and has drawn strong comparisons as he has progressed through the ranks in the Dragons system.

The Warrawong-born rising star played his junior football for the Western Suburbs Red Devils in the Illawarra, but will now link up with the Bulldogs who are looking to build their club into the strongest junior base in New South Wales as part of Phil Gould's long-term plans.

The Bulldogs have unearthed some strong talent in recent times, and Amone could be among them in the years to come as he continues to progress.

Amone is the second brother to leave the Dragons after Talatau left some years ago following an off-field incident, having played 54 games for the joint-venture.

Talatau is now plying his trade in the QLD Cup, and biding his time ahead of a push to return to the NRL in some capacity.

WHERE DOES BAILEY HAYWARD FIT IN 2027?

After announcing himself as a genuine first-grader two years ago, Bailey Hayward became an important part of the Bulldogs’ transformation through the middle in 2025.

Coming off the bench and playing through the lock role, he brought energy, toughness and a point of difference — and showed exactly why this local junior means so much to the club.

But 2026 was a different challenge.

Hayward was asked to spend significant time at dummy-half, and while the effort was always there, he never quite looked as comfortable or dangerous creatively as we had seen him through the middle.

And maybe that’s the biggest question heading into 2027…

What actually IS Bailey Hayward’s best position?

We’ve already seen his value as a ball-playing lock and utility through the middle. With specialist ho**er Freddy Lussick arriving at Canterbury, could that finally allow Hayward to return to the role where we saw some of his best football?

One thing we’ll never question is his effort or his love for the Bulldogs jersey. As a local junior, you can see how much representing this club means to him.

Now it’s about finding the position that allows Canterbury to get the absolute best out of him.

Lock? Bench utility? Ho**er? Something else?

Where would YOU play Bailey Hayward in 2027? 👇🏼

ONLY MAN SAFE IN BULLDOGS SPINE - AS HALFBACK ANSWER EMERGES 👀💥

12. BULLDOGS

RECORD: 11-13

GRADE: D

WHAT WENT RIGHT: No man has endured more pressure, spotlight and intense scrutiny at Canterbury this year than halfback Lachlan Galvin. But to his credit, the 21-year-old remained a bright spot on the Dogs up-again, down-again 2026 campaign. Galvin not only survived another year of unwanted publicity, the rising half arguably emerged as the Bulldogs’ most consistent player – heaping praise from the likes of Nathan Cleary along the way for his effort and development as a half. Galvin’s combination with edge back rower Jacob Preston offers plenty of promise for the season’s ahead, and with Stephen Crichton helping streamline his communication at halfback, there is no reason why Galvin won’t continue to flourish as he adapts to top-tier NRL – be that at halfback or at five-eighth, where most pundits believe is his natural position as a running playmaker. Otherwise, the Bulldogs’ middle continues to improve through 2026, with their signature line speed and tight defensive structures offering plenty to build on next year. It was a breakout season for Sitili Tupouniua despite injury, Jacob Preston (recently extended), Viliame Kikau and Leo Thompson – who each brought muscle to the Dogs’ middle. Matt Burton’s shift to centres also warmed as the season went on – though the absence of his signature spiral kicks in attack feels like a wasted opportunity.

WHAT WENT WRONG: Despite Galvin’s best efforts every time he pulled on the famous Canterbury jersey, the reality is that the spine around him needs work – and pronto. Fullback Connor Tracey – a skilful player that gives his all in every contest – simply lacks the versatility required from the modern custodian, while the ever-improving ho**er Bailey Hayward isn’t a patch on what Reid Mahoney provided the Dogs in 2025. While the Stephen Crichton experiment did help streamline the Dogs’ communication in attack, he is regarded as one of the world’s best centres for a reason – and needs to be moved back on the edge to bolster the Dogs attacking and defensive structures. Crichton’s kicking game also missed the mark at times for a five-eighth. Combined, the Dogs’ so-so spine meant the side never truly clicked in attack – especially on fifth-tackle options, when the chips were down and the side needed points.

WHAT THEY NEED: Put simply, the Dogs need a dedicated halfback that they can build the team around. That could come in two forms: bring in an established half who can help orchestrate new attacking systems and bring the most out of Lachlan Galvin, or instil trust and patience in one of the club’s burgeoning playmakers (Mitchell Woods is the club’s most likely future breakout star), and give him sufficient time to build in first grade, learn the systems and complement Galvin. Some will argue that Canterbury also need to search for a new fullback and ho**er to bolster their systems, but a specialist half is an excellent starting point. Given the dearth of halfbacks on the open market, developing one of their own seems a more viable option.

ROSTER STATE OF PLAY

Players off contract end of 2027: Matt Burton, Gordon Chan K*m Tong, Alekolasimi Jones, Max King, Sean O’Sullivan, Jethro Rinakama, Jaeman Salmon, Logan Spinks, Mitchell Woods

Analysis: The club has extended Jacob Preston so now attention quickly turns to Matt Burton. The club has indicated to Burton that his next contract offer will resemble that of a centre and not a five-eighth so that means a pay cut. Burton will no doubt be offered more from other clubs like Parramatta who are rumoured to be pencilling him in to be Jarome Luai’s replacement at six. Coach Cameron Ciraldo spoke of Jethro Rinakama being a 10-year Bulldog earlier in the year. Max King emerged as a State of Origin player under Ciraldo and the Dogs need to lock down their props, however he has been linked heavily to the Chiefs. Mitchell Woods has had a dreaded run with injury but if he can overcome them he’s seen as the long-term halfback to partner Lachlan Galvin in the halves.

Key target: They need a ball-playing lock. There’s not many out there, however. Souths youngster Tallis Duncan has already proven he can play at a high standard in the forwards or backs. But he will cost a fair bit given he is a man in demand and South Sydney is very keen to keep him. Otherwise, if Woods can’t stay healthy the Bulldogs will definitely be in the market for a halfback. Stephen Crichton isn’t the long-term answer in the halves and most experts seem to think Galvin is better suited as a five-eighth. The Bulldogs went after Ronald Volkman but failed to land his signature. There are a lot of big names on the market from the end of 2027, including Nathan Cleary and Sam Walker, but that seems unlikely. Zane Harrison is a very interesting option, but the Titans would be foolish not to lock him down on a long-term deal. Otherwise, Sean O’Sullivan — who by all reports the Bulldogs aren’t keeping — and Jock Madden fit the bill as inexpensive, organising halfbacks that could help free Galvin up.

The final round of the regular season.

With our Horrible performance against the Broncos, Melbourne winning on the buzzer & Canberra putting the sword through cowboys pushed us to 12th to finish the season🤦🏻‍♂️

Very disappointing

2027 NEEDS TO BE THE YEAR OF LEO THOMPSON.

When the Bulldogs secured New Zealand international Leo Thompson, many believed Canterbury had finally found the much-needed enforcer their forward pack had been crying out for.

A powerful, aggressive middle who could bring genuine intimidation through the middle.

With the reputation he arrived with — and the significant investment made to bring him to Belmore - expectations were understandably high.

Unfortunately, his 2026 season was underwhelming compared to the standards we know he’s capable of producing.

We simply didn’t see enough of the damaging, high-energy forward whose performances previously established him as one of the competition’s leading young middles and earned him international honours with New Zealand.

But that player is still there.

A big off-season, a fresh start and a point to prove could make Leo one of the Bulldogs’ most important players in 2027.

Canterbury desperately needs an enforcer.

Now it’s time for Leo Thompson to become the one we thought we signed.