Bulldogs

Phil Gould leaves Warriors for Bulldogs

Gould, a two-time NRL premiership-winning coach and leading commentator, only joined the Warriors last August as a club consultant with a focus on developing their junior pathway system.

But with Covid-19 restrictions limiting his ability to set up structures in New Zealand, the Warriors agreed to release Gould from his contract to become the general manager of football at the Bulldogs.

The announcement comes after Gould rejected an approach from the Sydney club in May. But they eventually got their man, with the deal finalised over the last two days.

Bulldogs trio self-isolating after COVID-19 biosecurity breach at hotel

The NRL was advised late on Thursday night that prop Dylan Napa, halfback Brandon Wakeham and centre Aaron Schoupp attended The Royal Hotel in Bondi last Sunday, which was attended by a person who has tested positive to COVID-19.

Canterbury's squad will not train until the test results of the three players are known. The players have not been in contact with representatives from any other club nor does it impact any State of Origin player.

NRL star Will Hopoate's offer to free brother from jail denied after charge over large-scale cocaine supply

Jamil Hopoate, who is an off-contract NRL player, was charged with large-scale commercial drug supply on Tuesday as part of an investigation into the alleged importation of cocaine with a street value of AU$154.2 million (NZ$165.6m).

Police allege Hopoate ran from police with an 8kg substance in his backpack, which he threw over a fence into a nearby backyard in Mascot.

The 26-year-old appeared via audiovisual link at Sydney’s Central Local Court on Wednesday and wiped away tears as his daughter waved to him through the court’s cameras.

Maroons fullback Allan joins Bulldogs on three-year deal

Allan trained with his new club on Monday after South Sydney granted him permission to explore his options elsewhere given Latrell Mitchell blocked his path to the Rabbitohs' No.1 jumper.

A breakout 2020 campaign that ended with a Maroons debut at fullback debut saw Allan's value and standing rise accordingly, with Bulldogs coach Trent Barrett chuffed at adding another quality recruit to his ongoing rebuild.

Bulldogs sign Origin star Josh Addo-Carr on four-year-deal from 2022

The contract will see Addo-Carr at Canterbury through to the end of 2025 and is the latest signing in the Bulldogs' rebuilding effort.

The deal is worth more than $500,000 a season and makes Addo-Carr the highest-paid winger in the competition.

Bulldogs chief executive Andrew Hill said the signing of the 25-year-old was "another building block" in the new-look squad.

Bulldogs stun Rabbitohs

There was no shortage of controversy with Canterbury scoring twice while Jaydn Su'A was in the sin bin for a high shot that knocked Lachlan Lewis out of the match, while a Souths try was awarded without the aid of a Bunker despite winger Jaxson Paulo going into touch before he grounded the ball.

The result puts Souths' hopes of a home final in jeopardy with Newcastle able to leapfrog them into sixth if they beat the Dragons while Brisbane drop to last and will now need to win one of their last two games to avoid the wooden spoon.

     

Dragons back on track at Bulldogs

 

The Dragons had slipped down the ladder with a string of defeats since their last win in April, but they were back on track thanks to a one-sided triumph on the road.

The visitors had Corey Norman back from a fractured cheekbone and both he and Queensland Maroons star Ben Hunt scored in inspiring performances.

It started badly for the Dragons as Raymond Faitala-Mariner crossed for the Bulldogs inside two minutes, but the Dragons were soon on top.

Jackson named Bulldogs captain

The NSW forward was unveiled as the Bulldogs captain during the club's pre-season camp in Terrigal on Wednesday, replacing the departed James Graham as skipper under the new Dean Pay regime.

Graham took on the full-time captaincy duties following the departure of Michael Ennis to the Cronulla Sharks in 2015, developing a cult following with his emotional style of leadership.

Jackson was the obvious candidate to replace the Englishman, who was squeezed out of the club to link with the St George Illawarra Dragons at the end of last year.

Dogs looking for Pay day

However, the club hasn't taken long to move on, announcing Pay as their new coach two days after he was interviewed.

"The Bulldogs have a great history and tradition and I'm looking forward to the chance to work with a talented group of players, where respect and discipline will be the cornerstones of how we go about our business," Pay said in a club statement.

Pay, 48, takes on more than your standard head coach role as the club searches for on-field success - the last of their eight NRL titles was in 2004, after losing the 2012 and 2014 grand finals.

Defence key to Panthers win

Their fourth win on the trot was typical of a side coming off a five-day turnaround and the Panthers stayed in control for most of the contest despite a low-scoring affair.

Penrith kept the Bulldogs scoreless in the second half before nabbing two late tries through Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and Tyrone Peachey to seal another much-needed win and edge closer to the top eight. 

"We are obviously defending well and that gives you a lot of confidence. But you only defend well if your attitude is right," Griffin said post-game.