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.
Will Leo Thompson start?
Also in the forwards, the Bulldogs welcome Leo Thompson to the club for the 2026 campaign.
The Knights' forward has been signed on big money, but it would be a stretch to say he had a strong 2025 season after signing with the blue and white.
At his best, he is a solid option, but has likely never played a game to the level of the contract he has signed with the Bulldogs.
The money is on means he should be a walk-up starter, while he also addresses one of the concerns around the Bulldogs - size in the forwards.
But if that size winds up not being a performance upgrade, his automatic starting spot could fade pretty quickly.
We know Max King will start, but with the likes of Curran, Daniel Suluka-Fifita, Lipoi Hopoi, Samuel Hughes, Jack Todd and recruit Finau Latu fighting for minutes, there is no guarantee.
It's not as if Cameron Ciraldo has been shy about making a big decision where he believes it's needed.
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.