NRL 2023: Bulldogs boss Phil Gould has moved 37 players on since joining Canterbury | What’s the Buzz

No less than 37 players have been either sacked, tapped, retired, chosen to leave or been left in limbo since Phil Gould arrived at Belmore, writes Phil Rothfield.

A stunning 37 Bulldogs players have been moved on since Phil Gould joined Canterbury.

Phil Gould is undertaking the biggest roster clean out at the Canterbury Bulldogs in rugby league history.

No less than 37 players have been either sacked, tapped, retired, chosen to leave or left in limbo since he arrived at Belmore in 2021 on a mission to turn the perennial losers into a premiership force.

Contracts have meant nothing in the most ruthless rebuild the game has ever seen.

It has paved the way for the arrival of some of the game’s biggest names including Josh Addo-Carr, Billy Kikau, Stephen Crichton, Matt Burton, Read Mahoney, Sio Siua Taukeiaho along with the likes of Bronson Xerri, Liam Knight and Toby Sexton.

Since Gould arrived the Dogs have finished 16th, 12th — and are now running 16th.

Despite all the player movement, Gould says it could take “five or six years” to get into a position to achieve sustainable success.

37 players have left Belmore or been left in limbo since the arrival of Phil Gould.

THE POSITVE

There’s no question the Bulldogs needed to do something drastic.

Gould and Cameron Ciraldo are trying to build a stronger and more professional culture with major signings from the Panthers, Roosters and Eels.

Not just on the football field but in training and preparation. Players who can handle the relentless 24/7 demands required for success.

There’s no question that, on paper, they are building a roster capable of climbing the ladder.

Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo is building a more professional culture at the club, but the coach turnover since 2017 has been ridiculous. Picture: Getty Images.

THE NEGATIVE

Too much chopping and changing. Three coaches – Des Hasler, Dean Pay and Trent Barrett have been sacked since 2017.

The Dogs need quick results but panic buying is their danger.

Their members are notoriously impatient and the next football club board election is due in February next year.

Just ask former chairs Ray Rib or Lynn Anderson about the power of the members.

A new disgruntled group that is emerging behind the scenes.

Trent Barrett, Des Hasler and Dean Pay have all been sacked at Canterbury.

THE COST

A roster rebuild of this magnitude does not come cheap.

The Dogs have had to contribute to some of those who have left.

Plus they’ve got Gould’s salary ($900,000 estimate), Cameron Ciraldo $800,000 for five years, and the highest paid sports science expert in the game, Travis Touma.

Their football club balance sheet is probably the worst of all 17 clubs.

Most now run self-sufficient businesses yet the Bulldogs still need to take a $6 million grant from their leagues club to break square.

It could be an issue because in recent months licensed club trade and profits have fallen due to the cost-of-living crisis.

Almost all other Sydney based NRL clubs no longer rely on poker machines.

Canterbury have taken a gamble by signing Bronson Xerri and Sio Siua Taukeiaho for next season.

THE RISK

We’re not sure that Canterbury did its due diligence before the signing of former Roosters front-row enforcer Sio Siua Taukeiaho, who will be 32 in January.

Taukeiaho has played only six of the Catalan Dragons’ 19 games in the UK Super League. Other NRL clubs dropped off when they became aware of his injury issues.

Bronson Xerri looked a sensational prospect at the Cronulla Sharks.

It will have been four years since he played and he’s certainly beefed up.

And despite all the impressive new signings, they still don’t have the most important position covered – a great playmaking half.

As one club insider told me: “This is panic buying to protect the board at the election.”