NRL 2024 scouting report: Canterbury Bulldogs recruitment, rookie talent, burning issues

Canterbury have been the busiest team in free agency, revamping a third of their squad. But what have they achieved? DAVID RICCIO breaks down an important off-season for Cameron Ciraldo.

The arrival of 10 new faces at Belmore has left critics asking plenty of questions of Canterbury’s recruitment.

But the experience brought in was a deliberate ploy by Cameron Ciraldo.

Despite conceding the most points of any NRL team last season, the second-year coach has doubled down on his commitment to the defensive structure that was the backbone of much of Penrith’s success.

DAVID RICCIO examines the Bulldogs’ roster and the main issues facing the club in 2024.

2023 RICH 100 REPS: Luke Thompson (38, $800,000), Viliame Kikau (46, $750,000), Tevita Pangai Jr (47,$750,000), Matt Burton (70, $650,000), Kyle Flanagan (83, $600,000), Reed Mahoney (87, $600,000)

Bronson Xerri’s impact on the Bulldogs in 2024 is unknown. Picture: David Swift

Crichton’s signing is a signal of intent for Canterbury. Picture: David Swift

FREE AGENCY WRAP AND RATING

Undeniably the most active club in the NRL when it comes to off-season recruits with 10 new faces.

In a tough market without a stack of quality, the Bulldogs have worked hard to add superior depth than what they had in 2023.

Stephen Crichton is the most-prized signing of all, and Connor Tracey adds more depth to the backline.

Warriors forward Josh Curran is a shrewd addition to a pack that remains a work in progress. They appear to still be short of a front-row enforcer following the Sio Siua Taukeiaho move collapsing.

The likes of Kurt Mann, Blake Taaffe, Jaeman Salmon, Drew Hutchison and Jake Turpin are an uplift to the squad, bringing NRL experience from strong clubs and who provide versatility and options. The concern though is, what role do they all play?

RATING: B

Cameron Ciraldo needs to find improvement in the side in 2024.

COACH STATUS AND SAFETY RATING: CAMERON CIRALDO (2027)

Ciraldo is on a mission to do things his way with the belief that the same defensive system he introduced at Penrith can eventually be instilled at Canterbury. Last year included a string of learnings and layers of frustration, as both players and fans realised how much work needed to be done to understand the defensive model.

Amid all that was Ciraldo working out who the right players are to deliver on the plan. The club’s recruitment drive speaks to the backing of Ciraldo’s five-year contract.

SAFETY RATING: B+

LIKELY DEBUTANTS

Kitione Kautoga, Jordan Samrani: Amid the pain of a poor 2023 season, the Bulldogs have achieved two things over the past 12 months under Ciraldo, both by necessity and design. One, they’ve blooded a host of talent, including Jacob Preston, Karl Oloapu and Jeral Skelton. And two, they’ve recruited players with NRL experience to create a deeper roster that will halt the need to call on as many rookies in 2024 as they did in 2023.

However, two names to keep an eye on are Kitione Kautoga and Jordan Samrani. Kautoga is a hard-running back-rower who hails from Fiji and whom the Dogs managed to lure away from the Wests Tigers.

Samrani is a classy centre from the Sharks juniors who is on the comeback trail from a torn ACL.

WHO TAKES THE NEXT STEP

Blake Taaffe. The former South Sydney utility has moved to Belmore in what shapes as a career-defining decision.

Trapped on the bench and behind a star-studded Bunnies line-up, Taaffe is intent on proving that he is a weekly NRL player. He will get his chance at fullback and in the halves.

Blake Taaffe gets a chance to make a starting spot his own.

BURNINGS ISSUES

1. Crucial halves decision

Canterbury need to make a call on whether Matt Burton is a five-eighth or centre. The club’s 2024 recruitment drive has provided them with a string of halves options that can allow the pressure to be taken off Burton by moving him to the centres, even if it’s just for the short term.

Toby Sexton, Drew Hutchison, Blake Taaffe, Kurt Mann and Jaemon Salmon could all play a simple role in the halves that is focused on getting quality ball to strike weapons Burton, Crichton, Kikau, Preston and Kiraz.

2. The weak link on paper

The Bulldogs were getting well short of value for money for Luke Thompson and Tevita Pangai Jr, so their exit from a squad balance perspective is a win.

Josh Curran gives the Dogs a ball-playing option at lock. They are still short one more major signing in the pack that offers intimidation and leadership.

Reed Mahoney must also have a vastly improved season than his debut year.

Josh Curran is a good pickup from the Warriors. Picture: NRL Photos

3. The fullback puzzle

Hayze Perham fulfilled his potential for the Bulldogs, but the addition of Blake Taaffe, Stephen Crichton or Connor Tracey is an immediate upswing in providing Canterbury with a new point of attack in 2024.

CRYSTAL BALL

I wrote last year that despite all the hype, Canterbury would miss the finals. They simply didn’t have a roster capable of troubling the elite teams. Should Viliame Kikau, Stephen Crichton, Matt Burton, Josh Curran and Reed Mahoney stay fit, the Bulldogs will win more games than last year and climb the ladder for their highest-placed finish in five years.

FINISH THE LAST FIVE YEARS

2023: 15th

2022:12th

2021: Last

2020: 15th

2019: 12th

2024 TAB ODDS

Premiership: $34

Minor premiership: $67

Top four: $9

Top eight: $3.50

To miss the top eight: $1.22

To miss the top four: $1.03

Most losses: $11

Originally published as NRL 2024 scouting report: Canterbury Bulldogs recruitment, rookie talent, burning issues