The Mole: Phil Gould hunting 'fine athletes' as part of NRL's American combine
Bulldogs boss Phil Gould has flown out to Las Vegas this week intent on signing two American athletes to play for Canterbury.
Gould will cast his eye over the NRL Combine in Sin City, where 25 male and 25 female elite athletes will be put on trial.
The club is hoping to sign one NRL and one NRLW player to join in 2026.
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Hundreds of college football stars from around the USA have applied for the combine, where they are put through a host of tests to see if they are suitable to play league.
Phil Gould The Mole Getty
The tests include running, passing and tackling as well as flexibility and toughness.
Every year, thousands of talented American college footballers retire in their early 20s, with less than five per cent making it into the NFL.
"There's no doubt there are a lot of fine athletes over there and I want to run my eye over them and see if any would adapt to league," Gould told Wide World of Sports.
The combine will be one of several events leading up to the big double-header to open the season in Vegas on Saturday week.
In the 1970s, former NFL star Manfred Moore was signed by the Newtown Jets, becoming the first American to play in Sydney.
He scored with his first touch of the football but returned home after half a season.
American import Manfred Moore at Henson Park. NSWRL
'REMARKABLE' RISE FOR TEENAGER
A few weeks ago I wrote that the Roosters had signed big bopper brothers Itula and Fanafou Seve from the Bulldogs.
Remarkably, Itula, just 17, has made such an impression in his short time at the club that he is poised for an upgrade and extension in coming days.
The bulky prop who was captain of the Bulldogs' Harold Matthews Cup squad last season is being groomed as an NRL player by the Roosters in either 2026 or 2027.
JAMMER'S INFLUENCE ON NEXT GEN
Popular former Dragons and Bulldogs prop James Graham had a chat to the lads from the Albion Park club last week - and rocked them by a stern declaration.
"He said players who took short cuts at training and were not fit were cowards because they were letting their teammates down," coach Josh White told Wide World of Sports.
"He spoke really well and that line really hit home to the boys. After his chat, we hit the Wanda sand hills and I don't think I've ever seen them work so hard."
James Graham during his time with the Dragons. Getty
DISGRUNTLED STAR EYES RETURN
Which player switched clubs in 2024 and now realises he made a terrible mistake?
The player - one of the biggest-name signings from last season - isn't happy in his new surroundings and would love nothing better than to return to his old club for 2026.
The former club would take him back in a heartbeat … IF they could find room in the salary cap.
Time will tell.
