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.
Does Josh Curran still have a spot?
The rumours are growing louder that 2026 will be Josh Curran's final year at the Bulldogs before he finds a new club, whether that be in Sydney or across the country with expansion outfit the Perth Bears.
Curran's role was clearly diminishing throughout the 2025 season, and it's tough to see that turn a corner in 2026 with the number of young forwards the Bulldogs are bringing through.
If he really is leaving the club, then the Bulldogs may put their eggs into the future basket and have Curran missing the 17.
It would be a potentially poor call given what Curran brings to every match whether he is asked to play in the middle or on the edge, but there is a realistic world where it happens.
Kade Dykes. Two matches in four years with the Sharks.
He’s a cheap depth player, not a candidate for a starting role in first grade.
If Leo Thompson is signed for that much, then he should start and live up to what our club is paying him.