Bulldogs tell NRL their players not available for City-Country match

The Canterbury Bulldogs have taken the unusual step of not allowing its players to be available for selection for this year's City-Country match.

The Daily Telegraph reports that the club has informed the NRL that its players will be unavailable for selection to protect their welfare amidst heavy scheduling.

“It’s disappointing for our player’s not to be in the running for selection when for some of them it could be the highlight of their representative football career,’’ Bulldogs chief executive Raelene Castle told the Telegraph.

“There’s probably three or four guys that we could say that about, but this about our player’s welfare and that’s something we will never treat lightly.’’

The Bulldogs would have been faced with just a three day break between the City-Country clash on May 7 and its Round 10 clash with North Queensland on Thursday May 11, at ANZ Stadium.

Coach Des Hasler has informed the players of the club's decision.

The League is reportedly working with the Bulldogs and all clubs to ensure the best players in the country are available for representative football.

The City-Country fixture will be staged for the 89th and final time on May 7 in Mudgee.