Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 2023 NRL Preview & Predictions

<p>With a new man in charge and a host of exciting big-name recruits, the hype is real for Canterbury ahead of the 2023 NRL season.</p> <p>After recovering from a disastrous start to last season, which cost Trent Barrett his job, the Doggies secured a modest 12th placed finish with interim coach Mick Potter calling the shots.</p> <p>Now under the guidance of highly rated rookie coach Cameron Ciraldo, they will be hoping to build towards the realistic goal of a top eight finish this time out.</p> <p>Extensive recruitment has been conducted once again at the club, as they continue rebuilding after an extended period in the NRL wilderness. Patience however will be key for the Bulldog’s faithful with time required for their new look spine to gel and their rookie coach to find his feet in the big leagues.</p> <p>Will the Blue and White’s make it click this season? Or does another season outside the competition’s top eight await? Read our Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs season prediction below.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Key Gains</h3> <p>&nbsp;</p> <ul> <li><strong><em>Viliame Kikau (Penrith Panthers)</em></strong></li> <li><strong><em>Reed Mahoney (Parramatta Eels)</em></strong></li> <li><strong><em>Andrew Davey (Manly Sea Eagles)</em></strong></li> <li><strong><em>Ryan Sutton (Canberra Raiders)</em></strong></li> <li><strong><em>Fa’amanu Brown (Wests Tigers)</em></strong></li> <li><strong><em>Hayze Perham (Parramatta Eels)</em></strong></li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Once again the Bulldogs recruitment has been among the best in the league, with arguably only the Tigers doing more to improve their squad during the offseason.</p> <p>The astute signings of Viliame Kikau and Reed Mahoney offer huge improvement in key areas of the field, with Mahoney in particular offering something they have lacked for some time: a top tier dummy half.</p> <p>Elsewhere the versatile Fa’amanu Brown will offer excellent utility value off the pine while Englishman Ryan Sutton will add some much-needed steel to their pack.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Key Losses</h3> <p>&nbsp;</p> <ul> <li><strong><em>Josh Jackson (retired)</em></strong></li> <li><strong><em>Jeremy Marshall-King (The Dolphins)</em></strong></li> <li><strong><em>Paul Vaughan (Warrington Wolves)</em></strong></li> <li><strong><em>Aaron Schoupp (Gold Coast Titans)</em></strong></li> <li><strong><em>Jack Hetherington (Newcastle Knights)</em></strong></li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Inspirational skipper and former Origin representative forward Josh Jackson called time on his storied playing career at the start of the preseason in a big loss for the Belmore club.</p> <p>Firebrand forward Jack Hetherington has made for pastures new while livewire center Aaron Schoupp has set up Schoupp on the Gold Coast.</p> <p>All seem to have been adequately replaced by the Bulldog’s front office, however.</p> <h3>&nbsp;</h3> <h3>Player To Watch</h3> <p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong><em>Matt Burton</em></strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Much is expected of five eighth Matt Burton in his second season at the Bulldogs. The former Penrith product has gone from strength to strength in the last 12 months, playing for both NSW and Australia before signing a bumper five-year extension with his current employers.</p> <p>Possessing one of the biggest boots in the league, Burton’s kicking game, particularly his seemingly uncatchable spiral bombs, will be the key to unlocking opposition defences for the Bulldogs.</p> <p>With even more quality around him now, 2023 could be the year Burton ascends to full blown superstar status and leads the Doggies back to the Rugby League promised land – finals footy.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs Season Prediction</h3> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em>Predicted finish:</em><strong> 8th</strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The first order of business for Canterbury will be selecting a new captain, with experienced flyer Josh Ado Carr tipped to lead the team from the wing.</p> <p>The fact that a winger is set to be named captain highlights one of the teams’ biggest weaknesses: a lack of experience.</p> <p>What they lack in experience however, they make up for in raw talent and could become the competitions great entertainers with the likes of Jake Averillo, Jacob Kiraz, Viliame Kikau and the ever-unpredictable Tevita Pangai Junior all tipped to be set loose by Cameron Ciraldo.</p> <p>All in all, the Doggies showed enough improvement in recent times both on and off the field to suggest a finals berth could be on the cards in 2023, just.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p><br /> &nbsp;</p> <h3>Predicted Team For Round 1</h3> <p>&nbsp;</p> <ol> <li>Jake Averillo</li> <li>Jacob Kiraz</li> <li>Braidon Burns</li> <li>Paul Alamoti</li> <li>Josh Addo-Carr</li> <li>Matt Burton</li> <li>Kyle Flanagan</li> <li>Luke Thompson</li> <li>Reed Mahoney</li> <li>Ryan Sutton</li> <li>Raymond Faitala-Mariner</li> <li>Viliame Kikau</li> <li>Max King</li> <li>Fa'amanu Brown</li> <li>Jackson Topine</li> <li>Tevita Pangai Junior</li> <li>Corey Waddell</li> </ol>