Club holds crisis meeting which could impact Super League transfer

It may be November and months away from the start of the 2024 season but there is one club already holding crisis meetings.

That clubs is the Canterbury Bulldogs with Fox Sports reporting that the well documented meeting involving Phil Gould was a crisis meeting.

This is because the club have barred their own captain Raymond Faitala-Mariner from training as they look to force him out of the club.

This is partly due to the fact the club already have their top 30 squad places taken which has forced some big names already at the club to take on developmental contracts. This is what is stalling their move for Catalans Dragons forward Siousiau Taukeiaho.

This crisis meeting was held to move Faitala-Mariner out of the club which would likely make him a s Super League transfer target ahead of next year with most NRL clubs having completed their business.

It has to be asked what this could do to Canterbury’s interest in English players like Harry Newman and Harry Smith as well.

It is safe to say that they are in a difficult spot but many feel their fixture list is somewhat favourable as it was revealed this week.

To start the season, the Bulldogs will go head to head with arch-rivals Parramatta in Round 1. A fierce territorial rivalry that dates back well into the 80s, this blockbuster match will be sure to make a mark on what will be a new Breed of Bulldogs kicking off their 2024 campaign. Under Saturday night lights at CommBank Stadium, this will be one away match not to miss.

Round 2 sees the Bulldogs remain on the road as we travel to Shark Park (Pointsbet Stadium) to tackle the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks before we host our first home match of the season in Round 3.

Returning to Belmore Sports Ground for a signature Multicultural extravaganza, the Bulldogs will host the Titans for a Saturday afternoon, family-friendly match that will see the Club host a bunch of cultural performances, cuisines and special acts before kicking off at 3pm. A regular sell-out, we recommend getting in early to secure your seat through Membership.

Round 4 will be another blockbuster match as the Club takes on the Rabbitohs in the annual Good Friday clash, while Round 5 will mark the meeting of the Bulldogs and Roosters 20 years on from the 2004 Grand Final (the Bulldogs’ last Premiership title). Round 5 will also mark the first home match of the season at Accor Stadium.

“These opening matches set us in good stead for a big 2024,” said Bulldogs CEO Aaron Warburton.

On the back of a record Membership year and strong home crowds in 2023, the 2024 Bulldogs draw is sure to help the Club on an upward trajectory and with a good mix of time slots from a Thursday night marquee game to a mix of Friday and Saturday night games plus Saturday and Sunday afternoons, this draw really does mean that there’s an opportunity for everyone to get along, and cheer on their team no matter their schedule.

For At-Home Members, they can expect to tune in to ten Fried-Night Footy (Friday Night) games, and several Saturday afternoon/night games – an entertainer’s delight. Families can look to a number of afternoon timeslots that work perfectly for the kids and with the Club working towards some really exciting initiatives for home games in 2024, these afternoon timeslots promise to provide more family-fun experiences than ever before.

Round 22 will carry extra significance for the Bulldogs in 2024, as they prepare to host the NRL’s Women In League Round at Belmore Sports Ground. With an NRLW submission in for entry into the competition in 2025, the Club looks forward to celebrating the advancement and growth of the women’s game at home, and possibly celebrating a 2025 NRLW inclusion.

Once again headlining the draw for the Bulldogs is a regional match versus the Dolphins back in Bundaberg, Queensland for Round 24. Warburton said the Club is thrilled to be returning to the much-loved area: “Last year’s event was fantastic. We enjoyed a great match against the Dolphins and this year will mark our third consecutive year in returning to the area.

“The support our Bulldogs family receives in the area is amazing, and it is a Round we look forward to every year. In 2024, we are committed to raising the bar once again and improving access for our local and travelling Bulldogs fans, as well as creating a memorable viewing and all-around enjoyable match day experience.”

The Club returns to the Bundaberg region with the support of the Queensland Government via Tourism and Events Queensland, and Bundaberg Council. Queensland fans will have the opportunity to see their favourite players line up on four occasions in the sunshine state this year, with matches also to be hosted in Rounds 11 (vs Raiders for Magic Round at Suncorp Stadium), 20 (vs Cowboys at QLD Country Bank Stadium), 21 (vs Broncos at Suncorp Stadium), and 24 for the Salter Oval clash.