NRL 2024: Bulldogs recruit Connor Tracey opens up on calf injury, fullback battle

He’s yet to hit the training paddock after picking up an injury on his last day as a Shark, but Connor Tracey insists he’ll be ready to fight for his spot in the trials in the new year.

Canterbury's Connor Tracey says he’ll be good to go for the trials, after picking up a calf strain in his last day as a Shark. Picture: Bulldogs Digital

Canterbury recruit Connor Tracey has hit back at reports he’ll miss the first few rounds of the NRL season through injury and insists he’ll be ready to fight for his spot in the trials in the new year.

The ex-Cronulla utility suffered a calf strain on his final day at the Sharks last month and has been in rehab with the Bulldogs ever since.

Speaking for the first time since his cross-town switch, the 27-year-old denied he’ll miss any game time and said he’ll be ready to resume running after Christmas.

“Someone reported that I’d hurt my ankle and was out until round 7, which is not true. I just strained my calf,” he said.

“I’ll be back running after Christmas, so I won’t miss any trials.

“It’s not ideal coming to a new club, but it’s ok I’ll get through it.”

It was, however, terrible timing.

Canterbury's Connor Tracey says he’ll be good to go for the trials, after picking up a calf strain in his last day as a Shark. Picture: Bulldogs Digital

“It was my last day at Sharks, I get off the field and it was ready to sign. It was a stressful 24 hours, but the Bulldogs were really good about it, and it’s just a calf strain so I’ll get it right,” he said.

“I was just sprinting, my calf was a bit tight and I strained it a bit, so that’s footy.”

It’s meant his first few weeks with the Bulldogs have been with the rehab crew, on the skierg keeping his fitness up while the rest of the team trains.

It’s less than ideal for the talented outside back who is keen to cement a spot in the backline in Cameron Ciraldo’s best 17 next year.

It’s expected he will line up at fullback, but the club has recruited a heap of talent in the backs for 2024 including Penrith star Stephen Crichton, Bronson Xerri, Jaeman Salmon, Drew Hutchison and Blake Taaffe.

Tracey’s versatility is his biggest asset and he’s played every position in the backline across his 66-game NRL career with the Sharks and Rabbitohs.

But the final makeup of the team is still yet to be decided.

Tracey is expected to win the fullback spot, but faces competition from the likes of Stephen Crichton. Picture: David Swift

“There’s a lot of good backs (in this team), I reckon you could flip a coin and that would decide the combination of things at the moment, but it’s early December no one is really going to know that yet,” he said.

“It’s just about working hard, you’ll get what you deserve and what you put in, so the team will sort itself out when the time comes.

“I don’t mind playing anywhere, really. Wherever I get put that helps the team I’m fine with. We’ll see later on what that involves but I’m happy to play anywhere.”

It became clear to Tracey last year that he was going to have to leave Cronulla to get more game time in 2024.

He acted as a Mr Fix It for the Sharks across the past few seasons but last year played only 10 games as he struggled to find a position against established stars.

“I wasn’t playing much NRL, I thought it might be time to move on to find that opportunity and the thought his me last season,” he said.

“I just really liked the squad the (Bulldogs) have, the players that are here and the new ones coming too.

“I liked Cam (Ciraldo) as well, what he stood for and the vibe he has around the place. It’s exciting to come to a place with 10 new players and create something new, so that was what really excited me.”

Originally published as NRL 2024: Bulldogs recruit Connor Tracey opens up on calf injury, fullback battle