The Bulldogs brought in a plethora of talent prior to the 2021 season's kick-off.
Origin fullback Corey Allen rounded off a brilliant recruitment drive that saw them add halfback Kyle Flanagan, firebrand prop Jack Hetherington, starting second-rower Corey Waddell and Origin winger Nick Cotric.
Unfortunately the Dogs remain in 16th place after 10 rounds, although they do have a trio of enticing recruits coming next year in Matt Burton, Brent Naden and Josh Addo-Carr.
That said, they have 15 players off-contract and I'd expect more than a few will be tapped on the shoulder, meaning the Dogs have plenty of spots to work with.
Below are the five players I believe the Bulldogs should target for 2021.
For this we have gone with a reality based list. i.e. they won't bring Cam Smith out of retirement.
Brandon Smith should be their number one target however isn't off-contract so isn't considered.
SEE ALSO: Five players the Brisbane Broncos should target
The Dogs have been linked to the Sharks cult hero but the money being mentioned is simply out of this world. That said, at a good price, Rudolf is the bench impact forward the Dogs need.
With all due respect to their current forwards, they've only been on top of one pack all season, the Sharks, and that was only for 40 minutes.
Rudolf is his most impactful when used off the bench. The Sharks don't realise this but surely the Dogs won't make the same mistake if they pen the popular Rudolf.
He has the aggression and passion the Dogs team currently lacks, yet requires ever so much. He has plenty of years left and is probably approaching his peak.
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The Storm veteran should be the Dogs' immediate priority.
With all due respect to the currents Dogs pack, I can't remember many occasions when they won the middle despite having English star Luke Thompson and the firebrand Jack Hetherington.
Unfortunately Hetherington and Thompson have brought the wrong kind off aggression and have seen (Thompson) or will see (Hetherington) significant time on the sidelines.
The Origin middle man would immediately add experience and the right kind of aggression Belmore is craving.
At 29-year's of age, Finucane is probably looking for a big money deal as he hits his 30's. The Dogs need to pony up to make this happen as their current pack just hasn't been able to lead the way despite some big names.
A bit of a left-field selection but the Dogs have very little creativity coming off the bench right now. Tyrone May is 'Mr Fix It' for Penrith and can play almost anywhere.
His utility value makes him the perfect No.14, although he could just as easily slot into the centres given Naden's departure.
He can even fill in at the troublesome number nine position. It may be worth signing him as a first-choice nine unless Topine is seen as the future.
Either way, I'd be reaching out to May's agent sooner rather than later. The Dogs need a creative player in the May mould.
Even if the club signs Finucane, they need to double that up by adding the newly reborn Tyrone Peachey.
No one in this Dogs pack can do what Peachey can do. His ball playing skills and elusiveness would make the Dogs pack more dangerous the second he put pen-to-paper.
Peachey, Elliott and Finucane would form my preferred back row/lock combo with Josh Jackson, RFM and Corey Waddell jockeying for bench positions. I love Jackson but Peachey offers so much more.
For mine the Titans won't be keen to let the in-form former Origin utility go, but the 29-year-old has been reported to want to move back to Sydney if possible. If there's any truth to that, I'm jumping all over that.
If the Dogs were to miss out on Finucane or Peachey, then Su'A would be my fifth option. If they signed both, then Su'a is probably surplus to requirements.
He would slot into an edge for the run on side, give you 30 tackles and 80 metres per game without any thought in the world. He also brings Origin experience.
He's not a game-breaker like Peachey can potentially be, however this Dogs pack needs a big name and Su'A would improve it instantly.
Elliott or Jackson at lock, Thompson to prop and Su'a on an edge; starting to look a much better outfit, especially in defence.
I can't see the Bunnies letting him go but with cap pressure creeping up, he's there for the taking.