Squad Breakdown: Canterbury Bulldogs 2023 SuperCoach analysis

1. Hayze Perham

2. Jacob Kiraz

3. Jake Averillo

4. Paul Alamoti

5. Josh Addo-Carr

6. Matt Burton

7. Kyle Flanagan

8. Luke Thompson

9. Reed Mahoney

10. Max King

11. Raymond Faitala-Mariner

12. Viliame Kikau

13. Tevita Pangai Jnr

14. Nu Brown

15. Ryan Sutton

16. Andrew Davey

17. Jacob Preston

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Team News

Hayze Perham is the front-runner to start at fullback for the Bulldogs in Round 1. This will see Jake Averillo and rookie Paul Alamoti start in the centres, with Braidon Burns missing out.

I expected Raymond Faitala-Mariner to start on an edge before moving to the middle, with either Andrew Davey or highly touted former Rooster Jacob Preston coming onto the edge.

I also wouldn’t be surprised to see Faitala-Mariner start at lock at some stage, with Davey on the edge.

I’m not certain how the bench will look, as I think ideally they’d want Reed Mahoney as an 80-minute hooker, meaning Nu Brown would only be required as cover.

This could very well see Franklin Pele named on the bench, while he’s every chance to be there ahead of Preston.

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Draw

Sea Eagles (A), Storm (A), Tigers (H), Warriors (A), Cowboys (H), Rabbitohs (H), Eels (A), Sharks (H), Dragons (A), Raiders (Suncorp, Magic Round)

First five round strength of schedule rating (1 toughest, 10 easiest)

4/10

2023 gains

Squad changes, via NRL.com

Viliame Kikau (Panthers), Reed Mahoney (Eels), Ryan Sutton (Raiders), Andrew Davey (Sea Eagles), Franklin Pele (Sharks), Hayze Perham (Eels), Fa’amanu Brown (Wests Tigers), Josh Reynolds (Hull FC), Karl Oloapu (Broncos).

2023 losses

Jack Hetherington (Knights), Jeremy Marshall-King (Dolphins), Paul Vaughan (Warrington), Matt Dufty (Warrington), Joe Stimson (Titans), Josh Jackson (retired), Aaron Schoupp (Titans), Ava Seumanufagai (released), Corey Allan (Roosters).

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Guns

Viliame Kikau ($686,800)

Kikau looms as a decent POD to start the season, but I’m not overly keen.

While the combination he’ll forge with Matty Burton is tantalising, it is one that I think will take time.

I have high prospects for the Dogs this year, but we still need to see them put it together on NRL game day.

Kikau was the focal point of the Panthers attack in years they went back-to-back premiers.

Can he really improve on his average last year of 65?

Maybe, because he’s just that good, but he was so dominant last year and still only averaged 65 in 76 minutes.

He looms as a likely buy option at some stage in 2023, but not to begin for me.

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Matt Burton ($594,500)

While Kikau leaves the best team in the NRL, his new inside man Matty Burton is likely to be the key member of a vastly improved side.

I think he can join the Supercoach elites in the halves this season and he starts at a very affordable rate, not far off being a genuine mid-ranger.

I’ll admit there are some red flags when looking statistically at his 2022 season, having scored under 40 on 10 occasions.

As mentioned previously though, he gets a better side around him in 2023, with Kikau being the key man.

I can see Kikau forcing defenders to overcommit at times, which should allow Burton to deliver his trademark show ‘n’ go to score a stack of tries.

I have a great feeling about the direction this club is heading, and gut feel more than anything tells me the goal-kicking Burton will improve significantly on his starting price.

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Mid-Rangers

Hayze Perham ($370,900)

The new fullback for the Bulldogs has me in two minds.

Starting at fullback, and looking like a big tackle-busting No.1, with what appears serious attacking upside, should point to a lock and load option at CTW at the bargain price.

But I’m just not convinced yet.

He’s chopped between positions in his career, and only looked okay at times in the All Stars clash.

His outstanding footwork should see him amass plenty of points, but job security concerns me.

At this stage I’m avoiding with a plan to pick-up in Round 3 prior to price rises if he hits the ground running, however this shouldn’t deter anyone keen on starting with him because there’s obvious appeal.

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Cheapies

Paul Alamoti ($200,800)

Big, strong, fast, bottom dollar, yes please…

Jacob Preston ($200,800) and Franklin Pele ($216,100)

Former Rooster Jacob Preston has turned heads during the Bulldogs pre-season, and he delivered on the hype with an impressive first trial performance against the Raiders.

There’s plenty of forward depth at the Dogs, so he’s far from locked in, but I’m backing him to take up a spot on the bench in round 1.

I really want to start with him because he’s got a high workrate and attacking upside as evidenced by seven tries and six try-assists in 12 NSW Cup games last season.

Will he get the minutes though? Like all bench forwards, that’s the big question.

He may be a slow burn, but one that generates plenty of cash over time.

I’m keen depending how the bench is named in round 1.

Franklin Pele was enormous, in stature and output, in the trial win over the Raiders which put him right in the frame for round 1.

Like Preston, minutes will be the issue if named, but in a short space of time in an impact role he can score quickly, another monitor for now.