A New Era Begins: 2025-2034 /

The ninth decade of Bulldogs football began with a bang, with 90-Year Celebrations including the introduction of an NRLW team, a top-four finish and the construction of the Club's Centre of Excellence. 

2025 - Celebrating 90 Years 

Celebrating their 90-Year Anniversary, the Club went all-out in honouring the Bulldogs history throughout 2025.

It began with an unforgettable Season Launch Gala Night with former players Johnny Greaves, Hazem El Masri and the late Steve Folkes inducted into the Club's Hall of Fame. 

The season began with a bang with the side equalling the Club record six wins to start a season, which culminated in an emphatic 32-nil win in the annual Good Friday clash against Souths, with a bumper crowd of 65,305 breaking the record for a stand-alone regular season match. 

In May, it was announced that the Club would be kicking off their 2026 campaign in Las Vegas, Nevada against the St George Illawarra Dragons. One month later, the Club completed the mid-season transfer of boom teenager Lachlan Galvin via the Wests Tigers.

After an adjustment period that saw him take the field from the bench and in starting roles during the State of Origin period, the talented youngster claimed the no.7 jersey in Round 20, 

Further history was made on July 4, marking the Club's inaugural NRLW match - a double header alongside the NRL side at Accor Stadium. While the men were run down by Brisbane, their fledgling counterparts recorded a 26-12 victory over powerhouse outfit Newcastle in emphatic circumstances. 

In Round 21 the NRL side played their first match at Allianz Stadium to celebrate the 30-year anniversary of the 1995 Premiership.

With all but two members of the '95 side at the ground, Cameron Ciraldo's men made sure to honour them the right way in a 42-4 walloping of Manly Warringah, making the Club's 1000th first-grade victory in the process. 

While the side had a varied end to the regular season, they completed their first top four finish since 2012, finishing in third position behind Canberra and Melbourne. Meanwhile, the NRLW season concluded in ninth position.

Personal milestones included the debut of youngsters Jack Todd, Luke Smith and Jethro Rinakama, while Matt Burton became the sixth player to record 500 first-grade points for the Club in Round 24. 

Meanwhile, Captain Stephen Crichton claimed the Dr George Peponis Medal as the Player of the Year following yet another strong performance in just his second season as skipper. 

After a brave performance in Melbourne against the Storm in the first Qualifying Final, the Bulldogs fell short 26-18 after losing Crichton and fellow centre Enari Tuala throughout the match. 

The following week, a tenacious side were outclassed 46-26 against a red-hot Penrith side at Accor Stadium in front of a bumper crowd of 56,872 as the season came to a close. 

In a positive end to the year, the Club's Centre of Excellence officially broke ground on November 21, with construction beginning at Belmore Sports Ground, with a host of special guests including NSW Premier Chris Minns and Minister for Sport Steve Kamper on hand to witness the historic event. 

Season Snapshot

• The Club released its 90-year anniversary logo, encapsulating elements from previous insignias. 
• Three former players were inducted into the Bulldogs Hall of Fame at the Club's Gala Night; Johnny Greaves, Hazem El Masri and the late Steve Folkes.
• The side opened their account with a six-match winning streak, their best start to a season since 1938. 
• The Good Friday match broke a record stand-alone crowd for a regular season game with 65,305 packing into Accor Stadium. 
• In May, the Club was selected alongside the St George Illawarra Dragons, North Queensland Cowboys and Newcastle Knights to kick off the 2026 campaign at Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Nevada.  
• The NRLW side kicked off their inaugural campaign on July 4, scoring an epic 26-16 upset against heavyweights Newcastle at Accor Stadium. 
• Young half Lachlan Galvin signs with the Club mid-season from the Wests Tigers. 
• In Round 21, the Club celebrated the 30-year anniversary of the 1995 Grand Final victory, recording their 1000th win in first-grade with a 42-12 demolition of Manly at Allianz Stadium. 
• Five-eighth Matt Burton became the sixth player to record 500 first-grade points for the Club in Round 24.
• After defeating Penrith in the preliminary regular season round, the side claimed their first top-four finish since 2012. 
• Stephen Crichton claimed the Dr George Peponis Medal as Player of the Year in just his second year at the Club.
• The Bulldogs' finals series was bravely fought with multiple injuries striking, downed by Melbourne (26-18) and Penrith (46-26), ending their season.
• The Club's Centre of Excellence began construction on November 21. 

Debutants: Daniel Suluka-Fifita, Sitili Tupouniua, Jack Todd, Luke Smith, Enari Tuala, Jethro Rinakama

 

2026 - From Belmore to the World

The Club began its 92nd campaign in the top league in the bright lights of Las Vegas in the NRL's third venture to the US, facing the St George Illawarra in a triple header that saw the Newcastle Knights topple North Queensland and Leeds Rhinos demolishing Super League champions Hull KR.

In front of over 45,000 spectators, Cameron Ciraldo's men ground out a tough 15-14 victory to start their season on a winning note, with Stephen Crichton booting the winning field goal in Golden Point, while also providing a try for Jacob Kiraz and kicking three goals.  

Following two weeks away, the Bulldogs backed up in a tense 14-10 victory in Canberra against the 2025 Minor Premiers, with fullback Connor Tracey's defensive prowess proving critical in claiming the two competition points. 

While the side's attack continued to develop, two minor setbacks came in the form of losses to Newcastle and South Sydney. However, the side produced arguably one of their greatest wins in the Ciraldo era in Round 6, thumping the undefeated Penrith Panthers 32-16 in a memorable performance at Accor Stadium. 

Off-season signing Leo Thompson made his highly-anticipated debut in Round 7 after a pre-season mishap saw him sidelined, becoming Bulldog no.878.

A slew of young guns including Alekolasimi Jones, Jack Underhill and Jed Reardon were promoted to the first-grade side following long-term injuries to key players including Jacob Kiraz, Jacob Preston and Viliame Kikau. 

Favourite son Marcelo Montoya called time on his career in Round 21, retiring effective immediately. The 30-year-old Fiji International featured in 162 NRL matches after debuting with the Club in 2017, returning to the Club after a stint with the Warriors. 

After a slump of poor form, the side rose to the occasion during the State of Origin period as troops returned, recording famous wins against the Storm, Eels, Sea Eagles and Titans, giving the side a sniff of returning to the finals.

Unfortunately, their late run fell short in the Round 26 clash against Minor Premiers Penrith, with a final-round defeat to the defending Premiers - the Brisbane Broncos - consigning them to a 12th placed finish.

In his first full season at the Club, halfback Lachlan Galvin was a shining light, with the 21-year-old claiming the Dr George Peponis Medal as player of the year.

Becoming the youngest recipient of the award, Galvin's class and poise in the no.7 was a highlight for an otherwise disappointing season, while Jones claimed Rookie of the Year honours.

The NRLW side kicked off their second campaign with a new-look squad that featured a number of faces of the future. 

While the season started slowly, the Bulldogs slowly rose to the occasion, claiming back-to-back scalps against Cronulla (24-18) and St George Illawarra (28-8).

A third victory in Round 6, a thriller at Belmore Sports Ground against the North Queensland Cowboys set the side on a trajectory to a finals berth, however, a tough run home saw the side finish the season with five successive defeats. 

A brave final round performance against the all-conquering Sydney Roosters saw the Blue and Whites take an impressive 12-10 lead at the break, only to fall 42-12 after a controversial sin-binning mid-way through the second half allowed Easts to run away with the result. 

Powerhouse forward Alexis Tauaneai was crowned as the Bulldogs' NRLW Player of the Year, while former Club legend Mark O'Meley was announced as the side's Head Coach for season 2027.