NRL Supercoach 2026: Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs squad analysis

The new era of the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs is in full swing, with many believing they’re on track to enter a premiership window for the first time in over a decade.

The Dogs recorded an outstanding top four finish last season before exiting the finals in straight sets, granted having to face the Storm into the Panthers in the opening two weeks was brutal, but that’s finals footy!

With Cameron Ciraldo and Gus Gould at the helm there’s a feeling that something special is brewing at Belmore, so perhaps some silverware is just around the corner.

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Their roster has stayed very stable, with the key addition of enforcer Leo Thompson to add some size and mongrel to their forward pack.

Promising rookies Mitch Woods and Liam Ison will also ensure there’s pressure applied to key spine members throughout the year.

Let’s take a look at their NRL Supercoach prospects for the 2026 season.

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Predicted Round 1 starting team

1. Connor Tracey

2. Marcelo Montoya

3. Bronson Xerri

4. Stephen Crichton

5. Jacob Kiraz

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. Harry Hayes

16. Josh Curran

17. Sitili Tupouniua

Analysis: The Bulldogs team pretty well picks itself to begin the season, however there will be plenty of selection dilemmas as the year goes on.

Recruit Kade Dykes will push Connor Tracey for the starting fullback role.

Mitch Woods will heap pressure on the halves, but is likely to be eased into the top grade and may even feature off the bench at stages of the season.

The club seem content to start Jaeman Salmon at 13 ahead of Kurt Mann or Josh Curran.

Recruit Leo Thompson will start at prop, while Sam Hughes and Jack Todd will push for bench spots throughout the pre-season.

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Fixtures

Round 1: Dragons (Vegas)

Round 2: Bye

Round 3: Raiders (A)

Round 4: Knights (H)

Round 5: Rabbitohs (A)

Byes: (Major bye rounds are 12, 15, 18)

Round 2, 15, 18

Verdict: The Bulldogs draw isn’t overly appealing early with the trip to Vegas followed with a bye, into the Raiders away.

Opposition wise, games against the Dragons, Knights and Rabbitohs are all completely fine, but there are a few hurdles in between including just the one genuine home game.

The bye into the Raiders does give us a free look at their players before initial price rises in round 4, so there is an opportunity to wait and watch early on any players you’re uncertain on.

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Start

Jacob Kiraz I $746,700 I CTW

King Kiraz, the ultimate Supercoach CTW weapon…

The Bulldogs centre-wing has exploded in recent seasons, averaging 76 points in 2025 and 72 points per game in 2024.

His average last season elevates to 78 points in games on the wing.

He had 33 in base per game last year, offloads at will and busts tackles for fun, essentially making him the prototype for the perfect Supercoach CTW weapon.

As a result, you’re not relying on tries to ensure a respectable score.

He’ll be very hard to ignore for round 1 and will be a major target for all, it can wait until round 4 though with the tricky early draw.

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Consider

Lachlan Galvin I $555,200 I HFB

Galvin would interest me, and still kind of does, but I wish he was available at 5/8!

It’s hard to knock, he’s expected to wear the 7 in round 1 in Vegas, but the eye test suggests he’s an out-and-out 5/8 to me.

Anyway, he’s not so I’ll get over it.

At halfback there’s plenty more enticing options which means I probably won’t go near him, but I do feel he’s starting undervalued.

With a full pre-season under his belt at his new club he can easily return to Supercoach relevance.

He averaged 64 for the Tigers in his debut NRL year, at just 18-years-old!

He averaged 57 points last year, which bumps up to 60 per game when removing two games off the bench when joining the Dogs.

He gets through plenty of work for a halfback and importantly takes the line on which leads to points.

Not for me due to positioning, but I think he’ll be a significant improver.

Matt Burton I $557,400 I 5/8

I almost didn’t mention Burton, but the relatively weak 5/8 position means he requires a discussion.

The draw is off-putting, while he also may not goal kick with Stephen Crichton preferred for much of last season.

He’s averaged 57 points per game in three of the past four seasons, with an impressive 67 per game in 2024.

He’d need to return to those 2024 numbers to justify the early start.

Lachy Galvin commands plenty of ball which I don’t think will help his scoring, add in the uncertainty around goal-kicking and I’ll be looking elsewhere.

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Jacob Preston I $684,600 I 2RF

Preston joined the elite of Supercoach 2RFs last season with a 70 point average.

He’s unlikely to leave gun status for the rest of his career.

He averaged 50 in base stats last season which is excellent, and is a genuine try-scorer as evidenced by his 11 tries in 2025.

I’ll avoid early due to the draw, but he’ll be a reliable scorer with high upside for anyone interested in starting him.

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Cheapies

Bailey Hayward I $343,900 I HOK

Hayward earnt the big minute hooking role late in 2025 as the likely successor to the outgoing Reed Mahoney.

Provided he starts in round 1 as the sole hooker, he looks a quality reserve HOK to begin the season.

There are numerous variables which could impact this, but he could be a nice cheap plug.

The concern on last year’s numbers though was that his starting output wasn’t great.

He’s priced on a 35 point average, but managed just 38 points per game starting at 9.

Regardless, if the cheapie hooker stocks are low he’ll do a job and won’t be relied upon to play, I’d just love to see him run a bit more during the pre-season (purely for SC purposes of course).

Kade Dykes (FLB) and Mitch Woods (HFB) – $201,400

Nothing major to add on this pair, only that they’ll warrant huge pre-season viewing.

They’re highly regarded spine players that’ll heap pressure on veteran starters to retain their spots.

Neither are expected to start in round 1, but if either do enter the 13 through form or injury they’ll be near musts at bottom dollar.