There are no two ways about it - the Canterbury Bulldogs fade out at the end of the 2025 season means the pressure is on coming into the new year.

After spending much of the first half of 2025 at the top of the table, the signing of Lachlan Galvin, changes to the spine and other factors saw the Bulldogs fail to host a qualifying final.

That left them with a tricky trip to Melbourne, where they fell short, before promptly being knocked out the following week against the Penrith Panthers.

It was far from a straightforward finals series, but the lingering question out of the season for the Belmore-based club, frankly, is “what might have been”.

The same selection questions linger over 2026 despite the departure of Toby Sexton, while new faces, and the performance of some, as well as rookies ready to breakout, will create extra head-scratchers for Cameron Ciraldo as he looks to coach the blue and white to a premiership.

What is Stephen Crichton's best position?

When Stephen Crichton first signed with the Bulldogs, all the talk was that he was going to play fullback.

There was a short-lived stint of just that, before everyone kind of worked out he is an elite centre, and the same wasn't going to apply if he was in the number one jumper.

Connor Tracey has since locked up that spot, but in what seems to be recurring Bulldogs fashion, there has been more than one rumour that his contract won't be renewed once it expires.

Kade Dykes has also been signed from the Cronulla Sharks, but will need to stay on the park for more than a few weeks at a time before there is any talk of him getting into the first-grade set-up.

The question though is whether Crichton could find himself at fullback.

When we were looking at the halves, there is a very real world where Matt Burton needs another position.

With Bronson Xerri locked into one side of the field, Burton shuffling to the centres could well see Crichton move to the back.

One to watch.

2 COMMENTS