The Mole: Canterbury lacking 'most important ingredient' in bid to end lengthy premiership drought

Canterbury have all the ingredients for a top four finish in 2025 - except perhaps the most important one of all.

Phil Gould has assembled a fine roster over the past three years and the Bulldogs broke a long finals drought last campaign.

But in my eyes, they still lack an elite halfback and that could be what holds them back in coming months.

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Toby Sexton is a good solid NRL halfback who steers the Dogs around the paddock and has an effective kicking game. He's smart, professional in his approach, gives 100 per cent every week and has the respect of his team-mates.

But if you lined the game's 17 halfbacks up from 1 to 17, he would rank a lot closer to the end of the list than the start.

The club does have a promising halfback coming through the ranks in Mitchell Woods - but he is probably not quite NRL-ready for another couple of seasons.

Canterbury also lacked a little punch up front last season and have signed two dynamic forwards in Tom Amone from Super League and Sitili Tupouniua from the Roosters to rectify the issue.

Apart from that, it will be pretty much the same group that got to the finals last season but the youngsters in the ranks are a year older and smarter and that could result in a top four finish if the key players in the squad stay healthy.

The outside backs are all class with Connor Tracey, Marcelo Montoya, Jacob Kiraz, Bronson Xerri and Stephen Crichton all noted tryscorers.

That is the team's greatest strength and coach Cameron Ciraldo gives them a license to play what they see - resulting in plenty of points last season and probably more to come.

2025 gains

Tom Amone (Leigh Leopards), Sitili Tupouniua (Sydney Roosters), Marcelo Montoya (Warriors), Enari Tuala (Knights)

2025 losses

Jeral Skelton (Wests Tigers), Joash Papalii (Eels), Jordan Samrani (Eels), Kitione Kautoga (Eels), Chris Patolo (Manly - train and trial), Hayze Perham (Broncos), Josh Addo-Carr (Eels), Liam Knight (released), Zane Tetevano (released), Poasa Faamausili (retired)

Best buy

Amone is a beast of a man who can bend the defensive line back - something the Dogs have lacked in recent years. If he can fire in the NRL, he will be the Bulldogs' X-factor.

It's a big season for

Connor Tracey had some fine games as fullback last season - if he takes his game to the next level, he will be a genuine weapon.

Biggest question mark

Is there enough fire-power in the forwards to challenge the likes of the Panthers and Storm? Amone could answer that.

Predicted finish: 3rd

Predicted 17 for round one:

1. Connor Tracey 2. Marcelo Montoya 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Blake Wilson 6. Matt Burton 7. Toby Sexton 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Sam Hughes 11. Jacob Preston 12. Viliame Kikau 13. Kurt Mann 14. Bailey Hayward 15. Sitili Tupouniua 16. Josh Curran 17. Tom Amone

Odds to win comp: $17