The Canterbury Bulldogs male pathways sides fired on all cylinders with strong seasons in Harold Matts and SG Ball. We look at 12 players who can keep the blue and white near the top. Canterbury is coming off a stellar junior reps season for their male pathways. Their Harold Matthews side went within a game of the grand final while the SG Ball Cup team fell just short of lifting the title. With a big 2025 in store for the club, we look at 12 pathways players who can keep them in a prominent position next year.
HAROLD MATTHEWS
TAWA-DEAN SIMPKINS (pictured)
Came down from Queensland at the start of the year and was one of Canterbury’s exciting talents in the Harold Matthews program. Did that as an underage player. With natural progression we can expect big things from the livewire fullback who chimes into the backline superbly.
DALLIS TAOAI
A centre who joins the Bulldogs from the Macarthur Wests Tigers program where he had a strong season in the U16s. Brings good size out on an edge and his ability to not only create for his outside man, but break the line, will be something that will excite the team.
KDEN CARTER
A dual-code talent who makes his way down to Canterbury after a stint with the North Coast Bulldogs in the Andrew Johns Cup. The Sawtell junior will put his hat in the ring for fullback honours, and he’s one the Bulldogs will be looking to keep in league as he continues to impress with the Waratahs U16s.
BRAITH SLOANE
The centre from Condobolin had a pathways season to remember, starring in a quality side and earning City U17s selection in the process where he scored a double in a big win over Country. Sloane’s versatility makes a key asset for the team in his second season of U17s. He can play on the wing and kick goals as well.
MILITONI OTUKOLO
Earns his spot in the squad after coming across from New Zealand where impressed as a zippy fullback. There’s plenty of competition for the No. 1 jersey, but the Bulldogs have a good track record with their recruitment across the ditch, so it’s worth keeping an eye on the underage player’s progression.
OKA CHAN KUM TONG
An outside back from St Christophers who steps up to the U17s level with the potential to have two years in Harold Matts. A natural leader who has experience as a captain in rugby sevens, Chan Kum Tong brings an elite bloodline to the program.
SG BALL
KAAWYN PATTERSON
A new signing from the New Zealand Warriors who was crowned their Harold Matthews Cup player of the year in their title season. Brings leadership qualities to the side as co-captain and really impressed around the ruck at hooker. Fantastic in defence and a strong addition to the Bulldogs.
COOPER MELDRUM
Makes the move south after a season with the Northern Tigers, one of Canterbury’s feeder teams in the Laurie Daley Cup. The centre from Singleton has already made his A-grade debut for his local club and will find himself right in the mix for a starting spot among a stacked roster.
PAUL JOHNSON
There was a lot to like about the way Johnson went about his business this season as a bustling outside back who knew how to find the line. Finished the Harold Matts Cup season as the second overall tryscorer with eight for the season, including a personal best of four in a game.
TOBY BATTEN
Will be interesting to see how the Bulldogs use Batten this season. We saw him spend time in Harold Matts with Canterbury and the Laurie Daley Cup with North Coast, and he’s been named in both squads for 2025. A classy half who will thrive if given the chance to step up to SG Ball Cup level after making his A-grade debut with Nambucca in the strong Group 2 comp.
BRONSON EMERY
Saw him excel among the outside backs for Cronulla-Caringbah throughout the community footy season – and that experience against men is invaluable. Came across to the Bulldogs last season where he was in the SG Ball squad after previously playing at five-eighth with the Dragons in Harold Matts the year prior.
JAI CALLAGHAN
Comes down from the Central Coast where he was a focal part of the Central Coast Roosters claiming the Andrew Johns Cup in 2023 before continuing on that form in Harold Matts. Callaghan will enter the U19s program as an underage player, but the young fullback and rising rugby union star will have no problems adjusting if given a shot. See less
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