The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs have signed Brayden Wiliame to coach their NRLW team

Phil Gould has finished his exhaustive search to find a coach for the Bulldogs’ NRLW team, knocking back up to 90 applicants for the role to settle on a former Fijian international.

Brayden Wiliame will coach the Bulldogs’ NRLW team. Picture: Gregg Porteous

Former Fijian international Brayden Wiliame is set to be announced as Canterbury’s NRLW coach for 2025.

The shock appointment comes after an exhaustive search led by club boss Phil Gould which included Bulldogs life member and ex-NRLW coach Jamie Feeney, Jillaroos and Eels assistant Kate Mullaly and former NSW Origin coach Kylie Hilder.

It’s understood there were up to 90 applicants for the job following the exit of former head coach Blake Cavallaro, however, the Bulldogs have landed on former NRL centre Brayden Wiliame in recent weeks.

The 32-year-old began his career with Parramatta in 2013, and went on to play 48 NRL games for Manly, St George Illawarra and the Warriors before retiring at the end of 2023 with ongoing injury issues.

In retirement he transitioned into coaching with the Warriors’ NSW Cup side as well as a wellbeing role with the club. The appointment comes at the 11th hour for the Bulldogs with NRLW pre-season set to begin next month and frustrations beginning to grow within the playing group ahead of their inaugural season in an expanded women’s competition.

Recruitment had seemingly stalled after the club parted ways with Cavallaro back in January.

A May 12 deadline is also quickly approaching, when clubs are required to have 24 players signed by the start of the pre-season.

The Bulldogs are due to kick off their season against Newcastle at Accor Stadium on July 4.