Phil Gould has shared some unfortunate updates ahead of Canterbury’s eagerly awaited season opener against the Dragons, signalling that further changes are likely to the originally named squad due to injuries.
Head coach Cameron Ciraldo had already revealed a weakened 23-man squad on Tuesday, with notable absences including standout winger Jacob Kiraz, who is currently sidelined indefinitely, and forward Josh Curran, who will miss the first two games due to suspension.
In a recent segment on Wide World of Sports’ “Six Tackles With Gus,” Gould indicated that additional adjustments to the line-up might be necessary before Saturday’s match. “Unfortunately, I think there will be some changes before the weekend,” he remarked, highlighting the team’s ongoing injury concerns.
Gould noted that there are injuries not accounted for in the initial list, stating: “It’s a little unfortunate that we’ll have a couple missing, but that will give some opportunities.” He also mentioned that the coaching staff had to secure approvals for two players, Luke Smith and Jethro Rinakama, to be included in the 23-man squad, as they are already operating outside their top 30 roster.
At present, the exact identities of potential further absentees remain uncertain, although newly signed player Sitili Tupouniua has been contending with injuries throughout the pre-season and did not participate in trial matches.
The Bulldogs are set to clash with their historical rivals at a packed Kogarah Oval on Saturday evening. Fans will be keenly watching the situation as the team navigates these challenges while gearing up for a promising season ahead.