Act of Squad: Bulldogs predicted Round 1 team and 2024 overview

The Bulldogs side that opens the 2024 season will bear little resemblance to the one that closed the 2023 campaign against the Titans, with as many as six new recruits set to feature in coach Cameron Ciraldo’s 17-man squad.

Marquee signings Stephen Crichton, Josh Curran, Kurt Mann and Drew Hutchison bring big game experience and a winning culture to the table while the dynamic former Shark Connor Tracey should also be there for the season opener provided he can overcome a calf injury in time.

With versatile trio Jaeman Salmon, Blake Taaffe and Jake Turpin also added to the mix, the Bulldogs have greater depth in key positions and that bodes well for a big improvement on last season’s 7-17 return.

Debate is sure to rage during the pre-season as to how best to use Crichton’s extraordinary talents and whether Burton should stay at five-eighth or shift back to centre, where he played two games for the Blues in 2022 and scored a try in Penrith’s 2021 grand final win over Souths.

There’s also healthy competition among the playmakers with proven performers Hutchison and Mann tussling with Burton and young gun Karl Oloapu for the No.6 jersey alongside Toby Sexton, who closed out the 2023 season strongly at halfback.

For all their clever recruiting the Bulldogs still appear light on in the engine room, with Max King set to carry plenty of responsibility up front after averaging 107 run metres and 36 tackles per game last season.

Liam Knight rounded out the year at prop after joining the club in July from Souths while former Warrior Curran could find himself in the middle given his willingness to put his body on the line in the heavy exchanges.

Predicted Round 1 team

1. Stephen Crichton
2. Josh Addo-Carr
3. Matt Burton
4. Connor Tracey
5. Jacob Kiraz
6. Drew Hutchison
7. Toby Sexton
8. Max King
9. Reed Mahoney
10. Josh Curran
11. Jacob Preston
12. Viliame Kikau
13. Kurt Mann
14. Blake Taaffe
15. Samuel Hughes
16. Jaeman Salmon
17. Liam Knight

• Full Bulldogs squad and signings here

Key Changes

• Ins: Stephen Crichton (Panthers), Connor Tracey (Sharks), Blake Taaffe (Rabbitohs), Jaeman Salmon (Panthers), Josh Curran (Warriors), Drew Hutchison (Roosters), Kurt Mann (Knights), Jake Turpin (Roosters).
• Outs: Jake Averillo (Dolphins), Tevita Pangai Junior (retired), Paul Alamoti (Panthers), Corey Waddell (Sea Eagles), Raymond Faitala-Mariner (Dragons). 

Health Check

Karl Oloapu (neck, indefinite), Connor Tracey (calf, Round 1).

Positional Battle to Watch

The importance of the fullback position in the modern game cannot be overstated and the Bulldogs’ brains trust have plenty to ponder in deciding on who wears the No.1 jersey against the Eels in Round 1.

Stephen Crichton last played fullback at club level in 2021 but he looms as the front runner for the job given his speed, power and superb defensive capabilities. He is strong enough to handle the physical demands of fullback and with so much room to move on kick return he could be even more dangerous in the No.1 than the No.4.

Should Cameron Ciraldo opt to play Crichton in the centres then he has former Shark Connor Tracey and former Rabbitoh Blake Taaffe at his disposal to start at fullback while Hayze Perham showed plenty of promise in his 18 games in the No.1 jersey in 2023.