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NRL best 17s for 2024: Canterbury Bulldogs…….
The Canterbury Bulldogs have been on an eyebrow-raising signing spree during the off-season, but it’s now time to find out exactly how the pieces of the puzzle gel together.
Despite most fans and pundits telling anyone who would listen that Canterbury needed forwards, their off-season recruitment spree has been highlighted by a number of utilities, which make this one of the competition’s toughest sides to pick for 2024.
While the utilities have had eyebrows raised, the Bulldogs have also signed Stephen Crichton on fullback money from the Penrith Panthers and Josh Curran from the New Zealand Warriors after he was granted a release from the remainder of his contract in Auckland late in the off-season.
Canterbury are coming off a lean run and Cameron Ciraldo’s second season in charge must be better than his first.
Despite the club telling anyone who will listen that the utilities all have roles to play, here is how we are tipping they will line up in 2024.
Recruitment report
Ins: Stephen Crichton (Penrith Panthers, 2027), Josh Curran (New Zealand Warriors, 2025), Poasa Faamausili (The Dolphins, 2025), Drew Hutchison (Sydney Roosters, 2025), Kurt Mann (Newcastle Knights, 2025), Jaeman Salmon (Penrith Panthers, 2025), Blake Taaffe (South Sydney Rabbitohs, 2025), Connor Tracey (Cronulla Sharks, 2026), Jake Turpin (Sydney Roosters, 2025), Mitchell Woods (2027), Bronson Xerri (2025)
