Canterbury experienced a rollercoaster campaign in 2025 as they rose to the top of the ladder in the first half of the year before things came unstuck in the second half.
Cameron Ciraldo will be hoping to build combinations in his spine after a period of flux which has seen Connor Tracey's fullback spot come under question, Lachlan Galvin arrive and Toby Sexton and Reed Mahoney depart.
The Bulldogs claimed a top-four spot eventually but they were eliminated in straight sets as they limped out of the finals race. Can the Dogs recover from the setback and return stronger in 2026?
MORE: Every major contract decision for each NRL club in 2026
Canterbury Bulldogs predicted team list for Round 1
1. Stephen Crichton
2. Marcelo Montoya
3. Bronson Xerri
4. Jacob Kiraz
5. Connor Tracey
6. Matt Burton
7. Lachlan Galvin
8. Max King
9. Bailey Hayward
10. Leo Thompson
11. Viliame Kikau
12. Jacob Preston
13. Jaeman Salmon
14. Kurt Mann
15. Josh Curran
16. Sitili Tupouniua
17. Harry Hayes
Bulldogs latest team news ahead of Round 1
Cameron Ciraldo faces an interesting decision on whether or not he moves Stephen Crichton into the fullback position on a permanent basis. Towards the end of the 2025 campaign, it appeared that the move was on the cards.
If the club's talisman is handed the No.1 jersey, Connor Tracey may be forced onto the wing, with Jacob Kiraz moving into the centres along with Bronson Xerri.
Marcelo Montoya would have been battling Jethro Rinakama for the other spot on the flank, although the latter picked up a shoulder injury in the Pacific Championships that will see him miss the start of the season.
Kade Dykes has been signed from Cronulla and could the the first option in the backline if injuries strike, while Blake Taaffe has left for the Super League.
Lachlan Galvin arrived at Belmore mid-season and disrupted the Bulldogs' flow as he was introduced into the side ahead of the since departed Toby Sexton.
The former Wests Tigers playmaker will be better for a full pre-season with his teammates as he tries to build a combination in the halves with Matt Burton.
Up and coming prospect Mitch Woods will be waiting in the wings and could force his way into the side early on, potentially shifting Burton out of the halves and back into the centres.
The Dogs also took an axe to their dummy-half midway through the campaign, despite previously sitting pretty on top of the ladder.
Reed Mahoney was dumped for Bailey Hayward and the latter will take the No.9 jersey from the start of the new season, with Mahoney moving to North Queensland.
Leo Thompson is the club's major signing for 2026 and the New Zealand enforcer will form a strong partnership alongside Max King in the front row. Sam Hughes will be the casualty in this scenario.
The backrow is a settled one for the Dogs as Viliame Kikau and Jacob Preston will line up on the edges, while Jaeman Salmon and Kurt Mann will battle for the No.13 jersey.
Josh Curran and Sitili Tupouniua are some of the strongest forward options available on an NRL bench anywhere in the country and the duo could be joined by Harry Hayes.
Kurtis Morrin has left for the Gold Coast, while Ryan Sutton, Tom Amone and Karl Oloapu were released during the 2025 campaign.