Dogs shake-up continues with new face in coach’s box
Updated . First published at
Former Blues Origin winger Steve Turner will join the Bulldogs coaching staff next season.
Turner has had a minor role with the club’s top players in recent seasons but will play a more prominent role in 2027 after the club’s disappointing season on the field in 2026.
Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo. Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)
He has achieved good results and has been rewarded with a role on Cameron Ciraldo’s staff.
The Dogs have already made a change for next season, with Jason Taylor moving on as NSW Cup coach and being replaced by club favourite Josh Jackson.
Bulldogs supremo Phil Gould told nine.com.au that Turner has been brought in to work on the Bulldogs’ attacking game which was found wanting last season.
"Steve has been promoted from coaching our Junior Pathways teams, to the role of Assistant NRL coach,” Gould said
"He will work with Adam O’Brien on our attacking game."
The club has made wholesale changes to its roster for next season after missing the finals with Josh Curran (Perth Bears), Bronson Xerri (Storm), Jonathan Su’a (Perth Bears), Lipoi Hopoi (Raiders), Sean O’Sullivan (released) and Kurt Mann (Wests Tigers) all moving on.
They have signed three players capable of strengthening the top 17 in hooker Freddy Lussick (Panthers), fullback Connor Votano (Knights) and centre Jesse McLean (Panthers).
NRL star’s nightmare wedding drama
One of the NRL’s glamour players has had the weekend from hell - on the day he was supposed to be married.
The player and his fiancée were due to be married last Saturday in a lavish Queensland wedding - only for her to change her mind just hours before the ceremony.
A large crowd of friends and loved ones - many of whom travelled long distances to attend - were left stunned by the late change of heart.
I won’t name the player to save him from further embarrassment - other than to say he is NOT from a Queensland club.
Perth recruit’s incredible gesture
Departing Penrith prop Liam Henry is one of the game’s nice guys.
Henry’s father-in-law Gav was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease at just 38 years of age 13 years ago - and the Perth-bound forward did his bit to help fund research into the illness with an amazing gesture last weekend.
Perth-bound forward Liam Henry. Getty Images
Henry spent several hours on Saturday in the searing western Sydney heat running 10 laps around the Nepean River, helping raise more than $50,000 for the cause.
“I’m doing it because Gav deserves to be celebrated for the strength and resilience he’s shown throughout his journey,” Henry posted before his marathon run.
“I’m also running for everyone else living with Parkinson’s, and for the families who walk alongside them every day.”
The Bears have certainly got themselves a special individual - on and off the field.
Tough Kiwi’s special family connection
Tanner Stowers-Smith’s selection for the Kiwis in the World Cup brought back memories of an incredible family connection for the tough Warriors forward.
Stowers-Smith’s great-grandfather, Pat Smith, played 10 Tests for the Kiwis nearly 80 years ago, and he captained New Zealand in all 10.
The 22-year-old Stowers-Smith has had a meteoric rise to the international scene, having only made his NRL debut midway through the 2025 season.
