The Canterbury Bulldogs have confirmed their development list for the 2025 NRL season as they aim to build on their performance and progress
beyond the opening week of the NRL Finals. Phil Gould, the club’s General Manager of Football, announced on X that six players will be included
in the development squad for the upcoming season: Fanafou Seve, Lipoi Hopoi, Joseph O’Neill, Jonathan Sua, Sosaia Alatini, and Logan Spinks.
Joseph O’Neill, who re-signed with the Bulldogs for another season, played a key role in the club’s Jersey Flegg Cup premiership-winning
team and has also made several appearances in the NSW Cup. While he is expected to spend time in the lower grades initially, O’Neill will offer
competition in the halves and provide valuable backup for Matt Burton, Toby Sexton, and Mitchell Woods.
Lipoi Hopoi, who extended his contract through 2026, made his NRL debut in Round 13 this year and will continue to gain first-grade experience
with the aim of being promoted to the Top 30 roster by 2026. The local junior, who came through the Canterbury-Bankstown pathways
system, has represented the club in various junior competitions, including the Harold Matthews Cup, SG Ball Cup, and Jersey Flegg Cup.
Another player on the development list, winger Jonathan Sua, made his NRL debut in Round 27 and was even considered for the 2024 NRL Finals
against Manly following a late withdrawal by Josh Addo-Carr. The remaining three members of the development list are Fanafou Seve, Logan
Spinks, and Sosaia Alatini. Spinks, who progressed from a train-and-trial contract, has signed a three-year deal with the Bulldogs, with
the next two seasons spent on a development contract. A talented second-rower from Tamworth, NSW, Spinks has been part of the
Bulldogs’ pathways system and represented Australia in the 2023 Schoolboys team. Fanafou Seve, who represented the NSW Blues in the U19s
State of Origin match in June, is another promising forward with significant potential.
Bulldogs 2025 Squad:
Starting 17
- Connor Tracey
- Marcelo Montoya
- Stephen Crichton
- Bronson Xerri
- Jacob Kiraz
- Matt Burton
- Toby Sexton
- Max King
- Reed Mahoney
- Samuel Hughes
- Viliame Kikau
- Jacob Preston
- Kurt Mann
Interchange
14. Bailey Hayward
15. Tom Amone
16. Sitili Tupouniua
17. Josh Curran
Rest of Squad
18. Karl Oloapu
19. Kitione Kautoga
20. Ryan Sutton
21. Blake Taaffe
22. Jake Turpin
23. Blake Wilson
24. Mitchell Woods
25. Daniel Suluka-Fifita
26. Jaeman Salmon
27. Harry Hayes
28. Drew Hutchison
29. Kurtis Morrin
30. Enari Tuala
2025 Development List
- Logan Spinks
- Fanafou Seve
- Lipoi Hopoi
- Sosaia Alatini
- Joseph O’Neill
- Jonathan Sua