Jake Averillo to leave the Bulldogs and join the Dolphins from 2024

Canterbury supremo Phil Gould has been forced to answer to angry fans after confirmation a homegrown Bulldog will be joining the Dolphins in 2024.

NEWCASTLE, AUSTRALIA – JULY 31: Jake Averillo of the Bulldogs in action during the round 20 NRL match between the Newcastle Knights and the Canterbury Bulldogs at McDonald Jones Stadium, on July 31, 2022, in Newcastle, Australia. (Photo by Ashley Feder/Getty Images)

Canterbury speedster Jake Averillo is Dolphins-bound after informing the Bulldogs he will leave the club at the end of the season.

Averillo, a Bulldogs junior, is understood to have agreed a three-year deal with the NRL’s newest franchise, having been lured north by an offer worth upwards of $1.2 million and the opportunity to work with seven-time premiership winner Wayne Bennett.

Averillo, a local junior, has been among the Bulldogs’ best players this season, crossing for seven tries in 15 appearances. At 22, he is yet to reach his peak and his departure is unlikely to be well received among Bulldogs supporters.

Jake Averillo is leaving the Bulldogs at the end of the season. Picture: Getty Images

“This is an extraordinary opportunity for Jake,” said Bulldogs football boss Phil Gould.

“He’s a local junior who has done a wonderful job for the club.

“We wish him and his family all the best for the future.”

In response to a Bulldogs fan suggesting on social media that the club’s supporters were disappointed with Averillo’s departure, head of football Phil Gould replied: “I can certainly understand some fans feeling that way. Totally understandable. We love Jake and we would have loved to keep him at the Bulldogs, However, with our salary cap and roster management, we have priorities in other areas at this particular point in time. Sometimes these tough decisions have to be made in the best long term interests of the club. This is always uppermost in our minds. It’s sad to lose players, bit Jake as acquired a great deal at the Dolphins which gives him a great start in life. I’m happy for Jake.”

I can certainly understand some fans feeling that way. Totally understandable. We love Jake and we would have loved to keep him at the Bulldogs. However, with our salary cap and roster management, we have priorities in other areas at this particular point in time. Sometimes these… https://t.co/1lNKs4sBu5

— Phil Gould (@PhilGould15) June 21, 2023

Having lost the fight to keep Averillo, the Bulldogs will now turn their attention to settling the future of fellow centre Paul Alamoti, who is also off contract at the end of the season.

The Bulldogs have signed centre depth for 2024 in Bronson Xerri and Stephen Crichton, although the latter is expected to have first shot at fullback.

That depth will be eroded if Alamoti joins Averillo in heading for the exits. Alamoti has already spoken to North Queensland coach Todd Payten and the Dogs have a battle on their hands to keep one of game’s most talented teenagers.

The Dolphins will now posses one of the quickest backlines in the NRL. Averillo will join Brisbane’s international centre Herbie Farnworth at the club next year alongside the likes of Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Jamayne Isaako.

Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett. Picture: Getty Images

Dolphins’ chief executive Terry Reader said Averillo’s signing was another example of the NRL’s new 17th franchise building their roster for the immediate future.

“Jake is a really good acquisition for the Dolphins,” said Reader.

“He will add speed and class to our backline stocks and at the age of 22 the best years of his career are right in front of him.

“The Dolphins always said we would steadily strengthen our list in the coming years and I believe we have achieved that for season 2024.

“We already have a very competitive team and have exceeded many people’s expectations with our team still in the hunt for a top eight position with 10 rounds to go, and we are going to be adding Jake, Herbie Farnworth and Tom Flegler next season.

“The Dolphins will only be stronger next year and that is something for our members and supporters to be excited about.”

2024 POSSIBLE DOLPHINS BACKLINE

1 Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow

2 Jamayne Isaako

3 Jake Averillo

4 Herbie Farnworth

5 Edrick Lee/Tesi Niu

6 Isaiya Katoa

7 Sean O’Sullivan