NRL news 2024: Raymond Faitala-Mariner’s Bulldogs departure completes 2021 roster overhaul

Has Phil Gould completed the greatest roster overhaul in rugby league history? With Raymond Faitala-Mariner’s departure from the Bulldogs, not a single player remains from their 2021 squad.

The Bulldogs have completed one of the greatest roster overhauls in rugby league history, with not a single player remaining from the 2021 season.

This is the greatest demolition of a playing roster in rugby league history.

Canterbury doesn’t have a single player left at the club from the top 30 squad named in 2021.

The last surviving member of Canterbury’s ’21 squad still at the club was forward Raymond Faitala-Mariner, who joined St George Illawarra on Monday.

That’s 30 players that have been sacked, shopped around, retired or forced out in just three years – an average of 10 players a season.

No club in NRL history has churned through so many players over such a short period.

Canterbury announced Phil Gould as general manager of football in July, 2021, and ‘Gus’ arrived ready to tear apart an underachieving roster.

The turnover has been remarkable yet brutal.

Even the coach from that season, Trent Barrett, has been dumped.

Raymond Faitala-Mariner has been granted a release from the Bulldogs to take up a deal at the Dragons. Picture: Getty Images

High-profile players that have left Belmore from 2021 include Adam Elliott, Luke Thompson, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Jeremy Marshall-King, Nick Cotric, Nick Meaney, Corey Allan and Dylan Napa.

“We have been methodically rebuilding the club over the past three years and are excited about what lies ahead. Our aim is for sustained success now, next season and well into the future” said Bulldogs chief executive Aaron Warburton.

“Our roster, salary cap position and pathways are just three areas of our business that have seen a positive transformation.”

The 2021 captain, Josh Jackson, has retired but remains at Belmore on the coaching staff while former NSW player Will Hopoate has also quit the game.

Not a single player remains from the Bulldogs Top 30 in 2021.

“It’s been ruthless and I’m sure some of the players felt hard done by but it was the mass change that the club had to have,” said Bulldogs legend David ‘Cement’ Gillespie.

“‘Gus’ came in and immediately started dismantling the roster. That’s the reality of modern-day rugby league.

“It’s tough and can be cruel but there can’t be sentiment. Remember, Canterbury hasn’t won a premiership now for 20 years – this from a club accustomed to grand final success.

“Harsh decisions have to be made to get the club back where it belongs. I certainly back ‘Gus’ and the club in the direction they are taking.

“It actually reminds me of the early 1980s when (club secretary) Peter ‘Bulldog’ Moore started a recruitment drive which helped us win a couple of comps in the years ahead.”

Former Bulldogs premiership-winning five-eighth Michael Hagan said: “Everyone wants to see some improvement in the club’s playing performances because patience in fans is running out a little.”

Bulldogs general manager of football Phil Gould has completed one of the greatest roster overhauls in rugby league history. Picture: Julian Andrews

Warburton added: “We have worked hard towards becoming a development club again, which has shown in recent junior representative results, male and female.

“We’ve strengthened our pathways and created more opportunities for young talent coming through our Academy systems.

“We’ve recruited well and now have a nice mix of young, hungry talent, experience and football IQ, which we hope inspires the next generation.”

The four development players in 2021 were Paul Karaitiana, Jackson Topine, Kurt Picken and Chris Patolo, the only player still at the club.

Originally published as NRL news 2024: Raymond Faitala-Mariner’s Bulldogs departure completes 2021 roster overhaul