Bulldogs halfback prodigy Mitchell Woods in action at ASSRL National Championships

Canterbury could’ve gone hard after off-contract playmakers like Jarome Luai and Mitch Moses, but they have a ready-made partner for Matt Burton in the halves – as long as they are patient with the 18-year-old, writes BRENT READ.

Matt Burton should be eventually partnered in the halves by Mitchell Woods.

Mitchell Woods is the 18-year-old halfback – who played five-eighth for the NSW Combined Independent Schools in Coffs Harbour – who has been earmarked to carry the Bulldogs into the future.

He has a long-term deal in his back pocket, led the Bulldogs’ SG Ball side to the grand final this year, and has already represented the NSW under-19s State of Origin side.

He was pursued by rival codes and clubs but turned them all down to be part of the Bulldogs after inking a deal that will see him join the club’s top 30 next year.

There are some who believe an opportunity in first grade will come as soon as 2025 but the Bulldogs insist they will do the right thing by his future.

They won’t rush or push him until he is ready. They will give him time and space.

But at some point, he will be their man.

They could have gone hard at Mitchell Moses, something this columnist suggested would have been a smart idea, but they knew they had Woods in their back pocket and they could afford to be patient.

Likewise with Luke Brooks and Jarome Luai when they hit the open market.

The Bulldogs took a look, had a chat, held their nerve, and bought themselves some breathing space until Woods was ready to play first grade.

Art by Boo Bailey.

It may be next year. It could be the year after. The Bulldogs won’t put a time on it because they want to make sure the kid is physically ready for the job.

The hope is that after he finishes school, he can spend a full pre-season working with the first grade squad, add some bulk to his frame, and work on his footballing IQ.

Ciraldo has seen both sides of the spectrum when he was on the staff at Penrith.

Nathan Cleary and Luai were level-pegging as teenagers. Then, when they returned for pre-season one year, Cleary had filled out and soon enough he was in first grade.

Woods played for the NSW under-19s this year. Picture: NRL Photos

Luai took a little longer. Both have turned out all right. No two paths are the same.

Working in Woods’ favour is that he comes from a good home – his father, a lawyer, acted as his agent on his last deal – and is already a student of the game.

According to Bulldogs insiders, he watches every game and knows every player.

Woods has already joined in some video sessions with the NRL side alongside the other members of the spine, including his likely halves partner down the track Matt Burton.

Burton has taken giant steps forward in recent weeks, ending talk about him moving to the centres. There is more to him than a towering kicking game, although it invariably seems to become the focal point whenever he is discussed.

His game has gone to another level and no doubt Woods has watched on closely as the bond between the pair is forged in the background.

Before they potentially partner up in the NRL, Woods has the Australian Schoolboys tournament to play and he will enter the week as the No. 1 player in the country according to this masthead’s rankings.

Isaiya Katoa at the ASSRL competition in 2022. Photo: Patrick Woods.

It’s a mantle that has aged well in recent years. Two years ago, a kid named Isaiya Katoa was ranked as the best schoolboys player in the nation.

Katoa has gone on to become a general at The Dolphins, prompting some to suggest at the age of 20 that he should be in contention to play State of Origin or Test football for New Zealand. He will have his choice at some point.

He has shown maturity beyond his years. Last year Lachlan Galvin came in at No. 2, behind only North Queensland Cowboys kid Mutua Brown. Brown is yet to get his chance but Galvin has rapidly become a star.

Katoa and Galvin were physically more advanced than Woods at the same age. But if the Bulldogs teenager follows a similar path, he may be quickly in contention to play first grade.

Another piece of the puzzle would fall into place for the Bulldogs. If this season is any indication, they aren’t that far away.

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