Phil Gould in brutal admission over Connor Tracey in Bulldogs disaster
Bulldogs fans can get excited with the number of signings ahead of 2024.
Bulldogs general manager of football Phil Gould has revealed Connor Tracey will be sidelined for up to two months having just joined the NRL club ahead of the 2024 season. The Bulldogs are continuing their rebuild under Gould and coach Cameron Ciraldo having signed the talented and versatile 27-year-old from the Sharks.
However, in brutal news once again for Bulldogs fans who have watched their club sink in recent years, Tracey won't join the pre-season outfit for two months having hurt himself during a session. This won't see the back join the training field until next year.
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Gould answered a social media question and confirmed the brutal news. "Unfortunately Connor injured himself at Sharks training on Monday," Gould wrote on Platform X. "He won't start running again until mid January.
"Not ideal. But we will get him 100 per cent right and he should be ready to trial in February. He can play anywhere in the backline." The injury was most likely in Tracey's final Sharks' session with the club with the announcement the back would be heading to Belmore less than 24 hours later.
Unfortunately Connor injured himself at Sharks training on Monday. He won’t start running again until mid January. Not ideal. But we will get him 100% right and he should be ready to trial in February. He can play anywhere in the backline. https://t.co/0Eii8Xte27
— Phil Gould (@PhilGould15) November 29, 2023
Connor Tracey a big inclusion for struggling Bulldogs
Tracey has played every position in the backs in his short 66-game NRL career, the last 64 of them with the Sharks after he made his debut at South Sydney in 2019. Bulldogs general manager of football Phil Gould has a high regard for Tracey and hailed the signing.
"I've always admired Connor as a footballer and I'm very excited he has joined our club," Gould said. "We are really looking forward to welcoming him to the squad." Gould is leaving no stone unturned in his quest to return the Bulldogs to finals football for the first time since 2016. Canterbury finished 15th last season under rookie head coach Cameron Ciraldo, an unacceptable result for such a proud club.
Gould has been active in the player market and has transformed the roster. The signings of Stephen Crichton, Blake Taaffe, Bronson Xerri, Josh Curran and Jaeman Salmon were followed earlier this month by hooker Jake Turpin, forward Poasa Faamausili and versatile duo Drew Hutchison and Kurt Mann.
Most recently, Gould was reported to have met with Jarome Luai in a secret meeting ahead of the star's decision on his future contract. Luai could be ready to seek more money with the Wests Tigers reportedly ready to make him a $1.1 million man a season. However, The Daily Telegraph reported the Bulldogs met with Luai on Wednesday in a formal meeting and they could be set to lure him to the club.
The five-eighth worked with coach Cameron Ciraldo during his time at Penrith. Luai might be interested at the direction of the Bulldogs' project, however it is reported the Tigers' offer of a little more than $1.1 million a season will remain the highest bid.
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