The Bulldogs' Growing Pains: Off-Field Moves and On-Field Woes
Phil Gould, the general manager of the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, has hit back at an individual who photographed him meeting with Gold Coast Titans hooker Sam Verrills in Brisbane during Magic Round. Gould stated he had many meetings in Brisbane over the weekend and questioned the motive of the person who took the photo.
Meanwhile, former Brisbane Broncos player Corey Parker launched a scathing critique of the Bulldogs' defensive performance on a Channel 7 program. Parker described the defensive movements of the team's highest earners as "appalling" and "not NRL standard."
Adding to the scrutiny, Luke Keary commented that the meeting with Verrills—and another with Warriors halfback Luke Metcalf—indicates the Bulldogs made errors in recruitment, particularly in letting go of Toby Sexton and Reed Mahoney.
"The meeting with Verrills and Metcalf suggests the club is now trying to fix problems it created," Keary remarked.
Background Context
- The Bulldogs currently sit 14th on the NRL ladder with just 3 wins and 7 losses.
- Sam Verrills has lost his starting position to Oliver Pascoe and is without a contract for 2027.
- Bailey Hayward has been filling the hooker role for the Bulldogs, but there are concerns he is not a genuine No.9.