2017 Auckland 9s - New Faces - Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs

In 2016 I watched all the Bulldogs' Nines matches with a bloke who had one blue and one white eye.

I came away thinking that the Dogs had a unearthed an outstanding winger-fullback in Tyrone Phillips. This year he was probably one of the first selected, as Des Hasler has decided to leave the Morris twins and fullback William Hopoate at home in Belmore. This year a few Queenslanders have been added to the squad for the first time, and another batch of juniors are stepping up.  

Rhyse Martin has arrived from Townsville after a standout season with the Blackhawks. He played 25 Matches without being substituted. Martin is a workhorse who has already represented PNG, and will challenge the established pack at Belmore. Last year he carried the ball for over 3400 metres and scored 11 tries, while making almost 600 tackles.

Brad Abbey arrived at the Dogs in 2016 after starting his career at the Warriors.  He's already a Junior Kiwi and has a big future ahead of him. Although just 20 years old, he spent much of last year playing Fullback against the men in the Bulldogs reserve grade.

D'Rhys Miller is a Bulldog, through and through.  He has graduated from U/20's at Canterbury and will be pushing the second rowers in the senior team from day one of Season 2017.  At 21, 108kg and 188cm he is another example of Coach Hasler's preference for big mobile forwards.