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NRL: Canterbury Bulldogs coaching staff to reportedly be sacked in mammoth overhaul

In a bombshell report, forthcoming Canterbury Bulldogs coach Trent Barrett is planning to completely overhaul the club’s coaching roster.

In a bombshell report, forthcoming Canterbury Bulldogs coach Trent Barrett is planning to completely overhaul the club’s coaching roster.
In a bombshell report, forthcoming Canterbury Bulldogs coach Trent Barrett is planning to completely overhaul the club’s coaching roster.

The Canterbury Bulldogs will reportedly sack a large portion of their coaching staff in a mammoth cull headed by forthcoming head coach Trent Barrett.

Weeks after he penned a deal with the struggling club, Barrett is reportedly planning on introducing a new coaching team for the 2021 season.

The bombshell news was first revealed by Channel 9’s Danny Weidler, who tweeted on Wednesday evening: “Clean out of coaching staff at Bulldogs. Expect all senior coaching figures to be shown the door. Current interim Steve Georgallis included.”

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According to The Daily Telegraph’s Dean Ritchie, the staff facing the axe includes Georgallis, head of high performance Tony Ayoub, along with strength and conditioning coaches Harry Harris and Tony Grimaldi.

Panthers assistant coach Trent Barrett.
Panthers assistant coach Trent Barrett.

Speaking on NRL 360, Fox Sports reporter James Hooper confirmed the reports.

“The Bulldogs will make a significant announcement in terms of their football operation staff for next year,” Hooper said.

“I don’t think Steve Georgallis, Tony Grimaldi, Tony Ayoub and Harry Harris — all those members of the football staff will be told they’ll be finishing up at the end of the season.”

However, Daily Telegraph journalist Paul Kent was not impressed with the revelation.

“I think that’s an issue for Canterbury,” Kent said on Wednesday.

“Canterbury are trying to promote themselves from what they’ve been doing over the past few days, and these guys have been mainstays of the club.

“They’re quality operators … these guys, they’re great clubmen.”

Last month, Barrett signed a three-year deal with the Bulldogs after Dean Pay stepped down as head coach. Canterbury assistant coach Steve Antonelli had quit one month earlier.

Barrett coached the Manly Sea Eagles for three seasons before serving as the Penrith Panthers assistant coach.

The Bulldogs are currently sitting in bottom spot on the NRL ladder, and will take on the Wests Tigers on Sunday afternoon for their next fixture.

Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/nrl-canterbury-bulldogs-coaching-staff-to-reportedly-be-sacked-in-mammoth-overhaul/news-story/bc73ee3bbe249d0a1115a3c7697c711d