NRL 2023: Bulldogs tipped to win premiership in next five years as Phil Gould rebuild continues

There's a new five-year plan in the NRL - and Phil Gould is at the centre of it again, with claims his Bulldogs are on the verge of breaking a two-decade premiership drought.

Stephen Crichton and the Bulldogs.

Canterbury’s poaching of representative centre Stephen Crichton “will bring the Bulldogs a premiership in the next five years” as Phil Gould continues “doing the rest of the NRL a favour by dismantling his former club, Penrith”.

The Bulldogs on Saturday confirmed Crichton had agreed to join the club on a four-year deal from 2024, joining a host of former Panthers at Belmore.

The signing has caused anger among Penrith fans, who have already lost premiership winners Matt Burton and Viliame Kikau to Canterbury, while former Panthers assistant Cameron Ciraldo took over the reins as Bulldogs head coach in November.

Rugby league stalwart Peter ‘Zorba’ Peters said the signing of Crichton can’t be underplayed.

“What a buy he is for the Bulldogs,” Peters said on the Big Sports Breakfast Weekend on Sunday.

“You get a fullback, winger or centre and a goalkicker — just priceless. I just think he is a marvellous buy for the Bulldogs on their charge back to somewhere near top of the table in the years to come.”

Panthers’ close friends and teammates Brian To'o and Stephen Crichton, celebrating Penrith’s second grand final win. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

As big a coup as Crichton is, Peters said general manager of football Gould’s recruitment of Ciraldo will be the key piece in delivering the Bulldogs their first title since 2004.

“The biggest loss for (Penrith) is Ciraldo. I know Cameron well. I admire his apprenticeship that he’s done in rugby league. He’s ready for the opportunity, and I think with Gould behind him, they are going to be a juggernaut,” he said.

“Gus will do all the dirty work and leave the coaching to Cameron. He will be there for advice if Cameron needs it. But I think it’s the perfect set-up.

“It will bring the Bulldogs a premiership in the next five years, without a doubt.”

New Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo. Picture: Justin Lloyd

Canterbury haven’t played finals football since 2016 under Des Hasler, as political infighting brought the club to its knees.

Since then they’ve had four coaches — Dean Pay, Trent Barrett, Mick Potter (interim) and now Ciraldo — and a wooden spoon, but are undergoing a Gould-led revival.

“Show him the money, and he will deliver. Love him or loathe him, he can deliver a premiership in rugby league,” Peters said.

“All he needs is plenty of moolah and a board that gives him total control. He’s got that at Belmore.

“Gould is doing the rest of the NRL a favour by dismantling the back to back champions, his former club, Penrith.”

Gould hit out at criticism the Bulldogs were simply targeting Panthers players to achieve success.

Panther 2014 Finals team included imports Josh Mansour, Dean Whare, Jamal Idris, Will Smith, Jamie Soward, James Segeyaro, Brent Kite, Sika Manu, Matt Robinson, Jeremy Latimore, Nigel Plum, Adam Docker, Ben Murdock-Masila, Lewis Brown. Takes time to develop kids. Short memories. https://t.co/X8h9W67IUf

— Phil Gould (@PhilGould15) January 21, 2023

“Reed Mahoney Eel, Ryan Sutton Raider, Max King Storm, Jacob Kiraz Knight, Andrew Davey Manly, Franklin Pele Shark, Jacob Preston Rooster, Braidon Burns Rabbit, Jeral Skelton Rugby, Bronson Xerri Shark, Brandon Clarke QCup, shall I continue?” he posted on social media.

He was also forced to defend using a free agency splurge to rebuild the Bulldogs’ squad, saying Penrith’s 2014 finals team included 14 players who were “imports”.

“Takes time to develop kids,” he said.

Despite having a feeder club in Mounties, the Bulldogs reinstated their own NSW Cup team last year and made the grand final in their first season under coach David Tangata-Toa.

This year, Canterbury will be the only NRL club to have its own Ron Massey Cup team as they continue to reinvigorate their pathways system in a bid to develop junior talent.