The Bulldogs are one of the most interesting teams in the NRL for 2022, with the chance to come out of a dark period and re-emerge as a competition heavyweight.
Yet for all the hope invested in the big money signings and the arrival of rugby league guru Phil Gould to drive the football operation, it could be a young player who’s been there through the hard times who plays the biggest role in their success or failure.
Read on for Wide World of Sports’ season preview of last year’s wooden-spooners.
LIVE UPDATES: Rival impacted by shocking Olympics crash
READ MORE: Panthers boss fuming as Dolphins signing confirmed
READ MORE: Djokovic finally apologises for ‘selfish’ act
2021 finishing position: 16th
Gains: Josh Addo-Carr (Storm), Braidon Burns (Rabbitohs), Matt Burton (Panthers), Joshua Cook (Rabbitohs), Matt Dufty (Dragons), Reece Hoffman (Tigers), Max King (Storm), Brent Naden (Panthers), Tevita Pangai Junior (Broncos), Paul Vaughan (Dragons)
Losses: Renouf Atoni (Roosters), Dean Britt (released), Nick Cotric (Raiders), Christian Crichton (Panthers), Bradley Deitz (released), Adam Elliott (Raiders), Will Hopoate (St Helens), Sione Katoa (released), Lachlan Lewis (released), Nick Meaney (Storm), Dylan Napa (Catalan Dragons), Chris Smith (Panthers)
2022 best 17: 1. Matt Dufty, 2. Josh Addo-Carr, 3. Brent Naden, 4. Braidon Burns, 5. Corey Allan, 6. Matt Burton, 7. Jake Averillo, 8. Luke Thompson, 9. Jeremy Marshall-King, 10. Paul Vaughan, 11. Raymond Faitala-Mariner, 12. Tevita Pangai jnr, 13. Josh Jackson, 14. Brandon Wakeham, 15. Jack Hetherington, 16. Ava Seumanufagai, 17. Max King.
Greatest strength: A young squad full of enthusiasm and determined to shed the wooden spoon – the only way to go is up!
Biggest question mark: The Bulldogs have bought better than any team in the league for 2022 – but can all the new faces gel into a winning outfit to lift the Bulldogs off the premiership floor?
Man under pressure: The halfback spot has been a worry for the Bulldogs for several years – and Jake Averillo will start in the hot seat in 2022. He showed some promise last season, but needs to be more consistent if the Bulldogs are to win games.
Biggest loss: Adam Elliott was something of a hand grenade off the field and that’s the main reason the club moved him on. But on the paddock, he had energy and purpose and that will be missed.
Predicted 2022 finishing position: 12th
For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here!