Bulldogs 2024 Possible Team

It always seems like Bulldogs fans are looking forward to the next year, waiting for some good to happen. When it doesn't, that cycle repeats itself year in, year out. However, I have a feeling that in 2024 they will be fighting for the top 4 once again.

The team for the most part is pretty self explanatory, but there are some calls that may turn a few heads.

Jackson Hastings

The first obvious one is the signing of Jackson Hastings. The Tigers halfback comes off contract at the end of 2023, and i’m my opinion is the only major singing the Bulldogs will need.

Despite where the Tigers sit on the ladder, you can see a clear sense of direction from the former Man of Steel, something the Bulldogs have really lacked in the past few years.

In fact, the halfbacks the Bulldogs have had since the departure of Trent Hodkinson in 2016 and their ages at the time have been Moses Mbye (2016, 23), Matt Frawley (2018, 24), Jeremy Marshall-King (2018, 23), Lachlan Lewis (2018, 22), Jack Cogger (2019, 22), Brandon Wakeham (2020, 21), Kyle Flanagan (2021, 22), Jake Averillo (2021, 20), and Bailey Biondi-Odo (2021, 19).

That is 7 halfbacks that the club tried to push forward within a 6 year timespan, atrocious stuff.

The only reason I wouldn’t see this happening is if Shane Flanagan becomes the Bulldogs head coach and gets the very best out of his son, which isn't far out of the realm of possibility.

In 2024, Jackson Hastings will be 28, by far the oldest and most experienced from any of the halves mentioned.

Josh Jackson

The next big change to the team is Josh Jackson to prop. Despite being off contract at the end of 2023, and him being 33 by 2024, I’d still have him in the team

He’s not the modern day ball playing lock, but he’s not a hard running back rower anymore either, but prop is perfect for him. He still plays 80 minutes week in, week out, playing the whole game in 8/15 of the matches this year so far

To go along with that, Jacko is still brilliant in defence and can help tighten up the middle of any team, averaging 40 tackles at a 96% efficiency.

The Bulldogs skipper and his 233 games of experience and counting are useful, and are not to be taken for granted. Him re-signing will also help the salary cap with his long service discount ($188K), as well as saying he will take a pay cut to help the club.

Phillip Makatoa

Whilst many believe Gus Gould is at the club to purely assist the first grade team, most of his work has been done in the pathways systems.

One person who has been helping out Gould in that department is old dog, Willie Mason, someone who believes he can get the best out of these young pups.

The first player I chose to make the NRL team is Phillip Makatoa. The 22 year old prop has played all 15 games for the Bulldogs NSW Cup team this year so far, averaging;

• 50 minutes a game

• 115 metres

• 45 post contact

• 26 tackles (95% efficiency)

Personally, these stats remind me of Paul Vaughan who is leaving the Bulldogs at the seasons end, someone the club will definitely miss. It is also looking more and more likely that Luke Thompson will leave the club once his contract expires, so a hard running forward is what the Bulldogs will need in the future.

Jeral Skelton

Although the former Rugby 7s player has only played 20 minutes of rugby league at this point, Jeral Skelton is one to keep an eye on.

Skelton played on the wing from the bench against the first placed Penrith Panthers last Saturday, and even with the limited minutes, he racked up;

• 76 metres (3.8 per minute)

• 46 post contact (2.3 per minute)

• 6 tackle breaks (3rd most in the match)

At 23 years old, he is also at a good size and possibly still growing, standing at 191 cm (6'3) and 104 kg, making him for sure able to play in the forwards, or more specifically, the second row, making him the perfect 18th man, and maybe the perfect utility down the track.

With great juniors coming through the systems, alongside Reed Mahoney and Viliame Kikau already being great confirmed signings, the Bulldogs look like they'll be back to the 'Dogs of War' very soon. In Gus we trust.