Following the dire results of Des Haslerโs now notorious back ended deals, the Bulldogs are currently undertaking one of the most substantial rebuilds in the history of the NRL under rookie head coach Dean Pay, and boy could they use the help of some of the names on this list.
Having struggled to forge an identity and playing extremely dire football in the last few months of Haslerโs reign, the Bulldogs have predominantly gone away from the previous policy of attracting big name high earners to the club.
With second-year coach Dean Pay wanting to bring back the old โDogs of Warโ moniker, through recruiting a slew of young cut-price talent such as Nick Meaney, Sauaso Sue, Jack Cogger, Corey Harawira Naera and Christian Crichton and simultaneously letting go a host of proven first graders. Here is the top 10 players the Bulldogs have let go, not re-signed or released in the past decade.
4. Martin Taupau
Widely regarded as the strongest man in rugby league, many forget that Martin Taupau debuted at the Bulldogs prior to establishing himself as a one-man wrecking ball during his two seasons at the Tigers.
Having played his junior football in Greenacre, Canterbury-Bankstown heartland, Taupau played 21 first grade games across three years before the Bulldogs decided not to re-sign the local junior.
Since that fateful decision, Taupau has gone on to play 24 Tests for the Kiwis and establish himself as one of the NRLโs most dynamic and complete middle forwards, possessing a powerful running and defensive game, as well as being one of the best exponents of the offload in the NRL.
Having just turned 29, Taupau is in his prime as a front-rower and has played as such in his three seasons at the Sea Eagles, spearheading the young Manly pack alongside Jake Trbojevic.
