EXCLUSIVE: Phil Gould drops contract news as Bulldogs young gun set to ink fresh deal
Phil Gould has dropped an exciting bit of news for Bulldogs fans, with young gun Bailey Hayward set to sign an extension with the club.
The utility has been an unsung hero for Canterbury since making his NRL debut last year, coming off the bench and filling a variety of roles.
Off-contract at the end of this season, Hayward will start at five-eighth for the Dogs in round three with Matt Burton on the sidelines for the next month.
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Bailey Hayward has been a quiet achiever for the Dogs. Getty
And seemingly out of nowhere in this week's episode of Wide World of Sports' Six Tackles With Gus, the club's general manager revealed he won't be leaving Belmore.
"Good story Bailey Hayward," Gould said.
"It will be interesting to see [how he goes], he is very versatile.
"We are just about to extend him for another year. I spoke to his manager yesterday."
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Hayward came through the lower grades as a playmaker, but has settled into a bench hooker role at the Bulldogs in his 22 appearances to date.
His versatility could prove vital for Cameron Ciraldo's men over the next few weeks, with Viliame Kikau also set to miss time due to a knee injury.
Viliame Kikau and Matt Burton left the field injured in round two. Nine
"It's a big test for the Bulldogs," Gould said.
"Fellas like Jacob Kiraz and Sam Hughes haven't played a game this year and all of a sudden we get injuries to Kikau and Burton.
"That's a real test for the Bulldogs and their depth in the next few weeks."
Canterbury have won both games thus far in 2025 and take on Parramatta on Sunday.
