Home Grounds: Accor Stadium, Belmore Sports Ground

Coach: Cameron Ciraldo

TAB odds: Premiers: $15

The backline will have a slightly altered appearance without Josh Addo-Carr on the wing, but the acquisition of MARCELO MONTOYA from the Warriors should mitigate the impact. Canterbury have also added forwards SITILI TUPOUNIUA and TOM AMONE, with both big boppers likely to make the 17 at full-strength. The squad does appear more settled carrying over from a tough 2024 season, however they will need to work harder as a combined unit over 80mins.

TOM AMONE joins the CANTERBURY BULLDOGS from Leigh Leopards and returns to Australia a different player. The 27-year-old spent three years at the English club, establishing himself as one of Super League’s premium front-rowers having first helped Adrian Lam’s side to promotion up from the Championship. 13kg leaner and more experienced makes him a dangerous off the bench as he will be a major influence at the club.

Alongside Amone, JOSH PRESTON is a tough, nuggety player who has cemented his position at the BULLDOGS after a breakout rookie year in 2023. Preston possesses fine ball running ability and he knows how to sniff out the tryline often enough. Broke his jaw in March 2024, but returned to form late in the season and always runs like an old-school forward wanting to create something positive. Add in the experienced heads of KIKAU, CURRAN, MANN and hooker REED MAHONEY and you have a suitably capable forward pack.

Ultimately, it may come down to the expertise of MATT BURTON controlling the play behind this highly mobile pack. Once on a roll they may be a difficult side to stop, and a few big targets to knock over will on the agenda. If the are any weak elements, then it probably lies in the defensive capabilities of the backs who can make bad reads and put their side under pressure. Certainly potential, but will need to step up again from the 2024 effort.

First five: Dragons (A), Titans (H), Eels (A), Sharks (A), Knights (H)

Last year's finish: 6th

Predicted 2025 finish: 6th

PREDICTED STARTING SIDE

1. CONNOR TRACEY

2. JACOB KIRAZ

3. STEPHEN CRICHTON

4. BRONSON XERRI

5. MARCELO MONTOYA

6. MATT BURTON

7. TOBY SEXTON

8. MAX KING

9. REED MAHONEY

10. JOSH CURRAN

11. VILIAME KIKAU

12. JACOB PRESTON

13. KURT MANN

14. BAILEY HAYWARD

15. SITILI TUPOUNIUA

16. TOM AMONE

17. SAMUEL HUGHES

PRE SEASON: Sun 16 Feb

Bulldogs v Wests Tigers at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium 5:30pm

Sat 22 Feb

Broncos v Bulldogs at Kayo Stadium 5:30pm