The Bulldogs have taken decisive action on a long list of off-contract players, confirming the likes of former Origin stars Dylan Napa and Will Hopoate won’t be returning next season.
Veteran outside back Hopoate has picked up a Super League deal with St Helens, while the announcement has left Napa clubless, with the Broncos reportedly circling.
In a statement released this afternoon, Canterbury confirmed that several players would be farewelled in Sunday afternoon’s clash with the Wests Tigers.
Joining Napa and Hopoate out the exit door are: Lachlan Lewis, Nick Meaney, Renouf Atoni, Sione Katoa, Dean Britt, Chris Smith, James Roumanos, Brad Deitz, Watson Heleta and Kiko Manu.
While Meaney has left the wooden-spoon club bound for greener pastures after picking up a deal with the Storm, most of the departing players have been left stranded.
The future of Lewis is particularly unclear after it was last week revealed he was being investigated by the NRL Integrity Unit over allegations he had attempted to sell club property on Ebay.
Absent from the list was under-pressure forward Adam Elliott, with the Bulldogs board still yet to make a call on his future after he was fined by the NRL for bringing the game into disrepute after a toilet tryst with NRLW star Mollie Boyle in a Gold Coast restaurant.
While Hopoate, Napa and Lewis are the most high profile players leaving the club at the end of another disappointing season, there’s plenty of fresh hope for the Bulldogs in the form of big name arrivals headlined by Matt Burton, Josh Addo-Carr and Tevita Pangai Junior.
Bulldogs CEO Aaron Warburton thanked all the players for their efforts on behalf of the club.
“I’d like to take this opportunity, on behalf of the Bulldogs, to thank all of the players that are departing at the end of this season, for their efforts during their time at Belmore,” he said in a statement.
“Every player is a part of Bulldogs’ history and will always be welcomed back to the club.
“We now wish each of them, and their family, all the best for the future.”
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