Frustrations bubbling among the playing group as the Bulldogs struggle to find an NRLW coach

Bulldogs supremo Phil Gould is believed to be spearheading the process of selecting a new NRLW coach for the club’s inaugural season, but frustration is beginning to stir among the playing group as he keeps his cards close to his chest.

Frustration is beginning to stir within Canterbury’s playing group with the club yet to announce an NRLW head coach two months out from the start of their inaugural season.

The Bulldogs parted ways with head coach Blake Cavallaro back in January after it was revealed by this masthead he had an undeclared romance with a female colleague.

However, it’s been almost two months since his sudden departure, and with the NRLW pre-season to kick off in May, players are still in the dark about the recruitment process and how close they are to finding his replacement.

Bulldogs general manager Phil Gould is believed to be spearheading the process but is keeping his cards close to his chest as he narrows down a massive list of applicants.

Bulldogs general manager Phil Gould has been inundated with coaching resumes. Picture: Julian Andrews

It’s an important decision for Gould and the Bulldogs, who join the newly expanded NRLW competition for the first time in 2025, although there is a thought they could recruit from within.

Interest in the job is not an issue.

The Bulldogs are understood to have been overwhelmed with the response from hopeful applicants with up to 90 submissions handed in for the role from all across the game after Cavallaro’s departure, including former Dragons coach Jamie Soward.

However, the list was whittled down by Gould, who then put the search on hold until after he returned from the NRL season opener in Las Vegas at the start of this month.

Blake Cavallaro was appointed as the Bulldogs' inaugural NRLW coach, but was forced to resign. Picture: Bulldogs

However, the playing group is still waiting on an update.

The longer they wait the more stress it could place on the current squad, with spots still left to fill in the playing roster with a May 12 deadline quickly approaching.

Clubs are required to have 24 players signed by the start of the pre-season, but only 22 of those need to be a top 24 player.

The second deadline is a week before round 1, on June 23.

The Bulldogs are due to kick off their season against Newcastle at Accor Stadium on July 4.