The Canterbury Bulldogs still have nine spots to fill in their Top 30 squad for the 2027 season, with several familiar faces and emerging prospects in line to round out the roster.
The Bulldogs have already assembled much of their squad for next year, however currently with no incoming players, there are still vacancies to be filled before they can put the finishing touches on their playing group.
There are a number of players who should be considered for those remaining spots, whether they provide immediate first-grade depth, positional flexibility or long-term potential.
Here is who should fill the NINE remaining spots.
Current Bulldogs best 19, top 30
Freddy Lussick
The Bulldogs are yet to officially confirm the signing of Freddy Lussick, but it is understood the hooker will join the club for the 2027 season.
Lussick should immediately step into the starting hooker role, providing the Bulldogs with a more traditional number nine option after using Bailey Hayward in the position.
His arrival would allow Hayward to shift back to a lock or middle role, which he occupied earlier in his career and could be given the opportunity to develop further in his initial position.
Kurt Mann
The Bulldogs should then look to re-sign Kurt Mann, who would provide valuable depth and flexibility across the middle of the field.
With Lussick coming into the squad and Hayward no longer required to be the default hooker, Mann's ability to cover both hooker and the middle would become even more valuable.
Exactly where Hayward settles should become clearer once he is given an extended opportunity in other middle positions, but retaining Mann would ensure the Bulldogs have experienced cover regardless of where that experiment lands.
Tommy Talau
The Bulldogs' outside-back depth is arguably their most pressing issue, and with few top-tier options currently available for 2027, Tommy Talau would provide some much-needed comfort.
Talau can play either centre or wing, giving the Bulldogs another first-grade option should injuries strike or certain players fail to maintain their form.
He would not necessarily walk into a starting position, but Talau is more than good enough to warrant a first-grade contract and could prove particularly valuable as a depth option.
He is currently without a home for 2027, meaning the Bulldogs could potentially secure his services for good value.
The departures of Bronson Xerri, Jonathan Sua and Marcelo Montoya have left holes in the outside-back stocks, making this an area Canterbury cannot afford to overlook.
Sam Hughes
Sam Hughes is understood to have been offered a one-year extension by the Bulldogs and is yet to accept the deal.
While he is not guaranteed a place in the middle rotation given the amount of young talent coming through Canterbury's system, Hughes still provides valuable depth and experience.
He remains a useful part of the Bulldogs' pack and should be retained while the club continues to develop its younger forwards.
Kade Dykes
Kade Dykes is another player who deserves to remain at Belmore after being part of the Bulldogs' Top 30 this season.
The fullback is also capable of stepping into the halves or outside backs, making him a valuable utility option for a squad that will inevitably face injuries throughout the season.
Dykes' career has been severely disrupted by injuries since making his NRL debut for the Sharks in 2022, but he made his return through reserve grade this year and showed he can still provide cover across multiple positions.
An extension would give Canterbury another versatile option while also rewarding a player who has had to work his way back from a difficult run with injuries.
Connor Votano
Connor Votano is also understood to have inked a deal with the Bulldogs after moving across from the Newcastle Knights.
It would be a strong signing for Canterbury, even if his first-grade opportunities are likely to be limited next season.
Votano is viewed as a long-term replacement for Connor Tracey, with the electric fullback possessing plenty of promise and the potential to develop into an important player for the Bulldogs in the years ahead.
His signing would therefore be about more than immediate depth, with Canterbury investing in another young player who could eventually become a regular at NRL level.
Tim Johannsen
Tim Johannsen is currently playing in South Sydney's NSW Cup team and has emerged to new heights this season.
The 24-year-old prop remains without a contract for next season, but his performances make him an appealing depth option for Canterbury.
He would provide another body in the middle while still having plenty of football ahead of him, and his hunger for an opportunity could be valuable within a Bulldogs squad that has built its success around competition for spots.
Signing Johannsen would not be about immediately handing him a starting role, but giving Canterbury another player capable of pushing for one while helping drive standards across the pack.
Alex Conti and Jed Reardon
The final two spots should go to players already contracted to the Bulldogs who deserve promotion into the Top 30.
Alex Conti has excelled in the NSW Cup this season, earning himself the Bulldogs' NSW Cup Player of the Year award.
The halfback has continued to develop outside the NRL squad and deserves the opportunity to take the next step after his strong season.
Jed Reardon should also be promoted after making his NRL debut this year.
The second-rower and centre has shown enough to warrant a place in the Top 30 and would give the Bulldogs another young player capable of developing into a first-grade option across multiple positions.
With both players already contracted, promoting them would also allow Canterbury to reward performances within their own system rather than looking externally for every remaining spot.
Proposed Bulldogs Top 30 for 2027
- Connor Tracey
- Jacob Kiraz
- Stephen Crichton
- Enari Tuala
- Jethro Rinakama
- Matt Burton
- Lachlan Galvin
- Max King
- Freddy Lussick
- Leo Thompson
- Viliame Kikau
- Jacob Preston
- Jaeman Salmon
- Kurt Mann
- Harry Hayes
- Bailey Hayward
- Sitili Tuponuia
- Tommy Talau
- Mitchell Woods
- Sam Hughes
- Jack Underhill
- Gordon Chan Kum Tong
- Logan Spinks
- Connor Votano
- Tim Johannsen
- Alex Conti
- Finau Latu
- Jed Reardon
- Alekolasimi Jones
- Kade Dykes
