Bulldogs Hit by Major Setback as Thompson Sidelined for Months
Canterbury Bulldogs’ highly anticipated recruit, Leo Thompson, faces a significant stint on the sidelines after sustaining a severe calf injury. Rugby league general manager Phil Gould confirmed the devastating news, revealing that Thompson has suffered a grade three calf tear, which is expected to keep him out of action for approximately 10 weeks.
Thompson’s injury initially appeared minor, with the player a late withdrawal from the All Stars game over the weekend due to what was described as “minor calf tightness.” However, subsequent scans have painted a much grimmer picture, confirming the severity of the tear.
“Not good news for Leo Thompson. MRI reveals Grade 3 calf tear. 10 weeks return to play at this stage,” Gould stated in a social media post. “It is what it is. We move on. Tough game rugby league.”
Thompson was widely expected to be a cornerstone of the Bulldogs’ forward pack, brought in to address a perceived weakness in their middle forwards. After a 2025 season where the team was often outmuscled in the trenches, the former Newcastle Knight was seen as a key recruit to inject much-needed grit and power.
His absence is a significant blow, particularly with the Bulldogs preparing to kick off their season in Las Vegas. Thompson was slated to partner Max King in the front row for the historic opening match. His injury now effectively rules him out until late April, a considerable chunk of the early season.
While the Bulldogs will have a post-Vegas travel week and a round two bye that will somewhat ease the immediate impact of Thompson’s absence, he is still set to miss a challenging six-game stretch. This period includes clashes against tough opposition such as the Raiders, Knights, Rabbitohs, Panthers, Eels, and Broncos. A potential return is tentatively slated for round nine, when the Bulldogs face the Cowboys.
Thompson’s unavailability will undoubtedly open up opportunities for other players within the squad. Josh Curran and Samuel Hughes are now strong contenders to step into the starting front-row position alongside Max King for the Las Vegas opener. Furthermore, depth forwards Harry Hayes and Jack Todd are expected to see increased game time, while Sitili Tupouniua may be called upon to shoulder a heavier workload, bringing his aggression to the fore to compensate for Thompson’s loss.
Positive News for Burton Offers a Glimmer of Hope
Amidst the significant setback with Thompson, there is a ray of positive news for the Bulldogs. Gould also confirmed that star playmaker Matt Burton has avoided a serious hamstring tear. Burton left the field during a recent match with what initially appeared to be a concerning injury, but scans have revealed the issue to be less severe than first feared. This means Burton is now in contention for a much earlier return to the field than initially anticipated, providing a much-needed boost for the club.
The Canterbury Bulldogs squad is scheduled to depart for the United States this Thursday in preparation for their season opener against the Cronulla Sharks, which will be held at Allegiant Stadium on Sunday, March 1st.
Round One Pre-Season Challenge Team Lists
As teams finalise their preparations for the upcoming season, the official team lists for the final week of the 2026 NRL Pre-Season Challenge have been released. Here’s a rundown of the matchups and the squads named:
Warriors vs. Dolphins
Warriors:
1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
3. Ali Leiataua
4. Adam Pompey
5. Haizyn Mellars
6. Luke Hanson
7. Tanah Boyd
8. Tanner Stowers-Smith
9. Wayde Egan
10. Jackson Ford
11. Kurt Capewell
12. Jacob Laban
13. Erin Clark
14. Samuel Healey
15. Morgan Gannon
16. Leka Halasima
17. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava
18. Taine Tuaupiki
21. Kayliss Fatialofa
22. Jack Thompson
23. Makaia Tafua
24. Motu Pasikala
25. Sio Kali
26. Caelys-paul Putoko
27. Geronimo Doyle
28. Rodney Tuipulotu-Vea
29. Paea Sikuvea
Dolphins:
1. Trai Fuller
2. Jamayne Isaako
3. Jake Averillo
4. Herbie Farnworth
5. Selwyn Cobbo
6. Kodi Nikorima
7. Isaiya Katoa
8. Francis Molo
9. Brad Schneider
10. Tom Gilbert
11. Connelly Lemuelu
12. Oryn Keeley
13. Morgan Knowles
14. Tevita Naufahu
15. Thomas Flegler
16. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki
17. John Fineanganofo
18. Sebastian Su’a
19. Elijah Rasmussen
20. Brian Pouniu
21. Zac Garton
22. Brent Woolf
23. Adaquix-Jeramiah Watts-Luke
24. Sangstar Figota
25. Noah Fien
26. Elijah McKay
Wests Tigers vs. Penrith Panthers
Wests Tigers:
1. Jahream Bula
2. Heamasi Makasini
3. Taylan May
4. Starford To’a
5. Sunia Turuva
6. Jarome Luai
7. Adam Doueihi
8. Bunty Afoa
9. Apisai Koroisau
10. Fonua Pole
11. Samuela Fainu
12. Kai Pearce-Paul
13. Alex Twal
14. Jock Madden
15. Jack Attard
16. Alex Seyfarth
17. Sione Fainu
18. Patrick Herbert
19. Tony Sukkar
20. Kit Laulilii
21. Tristan Hope
22. Heath Mason
23. Luke Laulilii
24. Jared Haywood
25. Mavrik Geyer
26. Faaletino Tavana
27. Charlie Murray
28. Javon Andrews
Panthers:
1. Dylan Edwards
2. Thomas Jenkins
3. Izack Tago
4. Paul Alamoti
5. Brian To’o
6. Blaize Talagi
7. Nathan Cleary
8. Moses Leota
9. Mitch Kenny
10. Lindsay Smith
11. Isaiah Papali’i
12. Kalani Going
13. Isaah Yeo
14. Freddy Lussick
15. Billy Phillips
16. Zakauri Clarke
17. Luron Patea
18. Jaxen Edgar
19. Patrick Moimoi
20. Tom Ale
21. Jesse McLean
22. Sione Fonua
23. Kurt Falls
24. Keahn Skipps
25. Jirah Liddiard
26. Billy Scott
27. Harry Armstrong
Cronulla Sharks vs. Canberra Raiders
Sharks:
1. William Kennedy
2. Sione Katoa
3. Jesse Ramien
4. KL Iro
5. Samuel Stonestreet
6. Braydon Trindall
7. Nicho Hynes
8. Addin Fonua-Blake
9. Blayke Brailey
10. Thomas Hazelton
11. Briton Nikora
12. Billy Burns
13. Jesse Colquhoun
14. Siosifa Talakai
15. Toby Rudolf
16. Oregon Kaufusi
17. Braeden Uele
18. Hohepa Puru
19. Tuku Hau Tapuha
20. Mawene Hiroti
21. Jayden Berrell
22. Niwhai Puru
23. Riley Jones
Raiders:
1. Daine Laurie
2. Savelio Tamale
3. Simi Sasagi
4. Sebastian Kris
5. Xavier Savage
6. Ethan Alaia
7. Jalen Afamasaga
8. Ata Mariota
9. Jayden Brailey
10. Zac Hosking
11. Matt Nicholson
12. Noah Martin
13. Morgan Smithies
14. Owen Pattie
15. Jed Stuart
16. Sione Finau
17. Jordan Uta
18. Chevy Stewart
19. Mark Tuialii
20. Shaun Packer
21. Myles Martin
22. Jake Clydsdale
23. Joseph Roddy
24. Saxon Innes
25. Braydan Darmody
26. Michael Asomua
27. Samuel Hyne
28. Vena Patuki-Case
Sydney Roosters vs. Parramatta Eels
Roosters:
1. James Tedesco
2. Tommy Talau
3. Billy Smith
4. Fetalaiga Pauga
5. Mark Nawaqanitawase
6. Daly Cherry-Evans
7. Sam Walker
8. Naufahu Whyte
9. Reece Robson
10. Lindsay Collins
11. Angus Crichton
12. Nat Butcher
13. Blake Steep
14. Connor Watson
15. Siua Wong
16. Spencer Leniu
17. Egan Butcher
18. Salesi Foketi
19. Benaiah Ioelu
20. Hugo Savala
21. Cody Ramsey
22. Toby Rodwell
23. Tom Rodwell
24. Junior Tupou
Eels:
1. Isaiah Iongi
2. Bailey Simonsson
3. Viliami Penisini
4. Sean Russell
5. Josh Addo-Carr
6. Jonah Pezet
7. Mitchell Moses
8. J’maine Hopgood
9. Ryley Smith
10. Junior Paulo
11. Jack Williams
12. Kitione Kautoga
13. Jack de Belin
14. Dylan Walker
15. Sam Tuivaiti
16. Matt Doorey
17. Tallyn Da Silva
18. Charlie Guymer
19. Kelma Tuilagi
20. Joash Papali’i
21. Brian Kelly
22. Jordan Samrani
23. Ronald Volkman
24. Araz Nanva
25. Jake Tago
26. Lorenzo Talataina
27. Teancum Brown
Melbourne Storm vs. Gold Coast Titans
Storm:
1. Sualauvi Faalogo
2. Will Warbrick
3. Marion Seve
4. Nick Meaney
5. Moses Leo
6. Cameron Munster
7. Tyran Wishart
8. Stefano Utoikamanu
9. Harry Grant
10. Josh King
11. Joe Chan
12. Ativalu Lisati
13. Alec MacDonald
14. Trent Toelau
15. Cooper Clarke
16. Davvy Moale
17. Trent Loiero
18. Angus Hinchey
19. Gabriel Satrick
20. Preston Conn
21. Manaia Waitere
22. Hugo Peel
23. Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown
24. Mitchell Jennings
25. Jack Hetherington
26. Amare Milford
27. Lazarus Vaalepu
Titans:
1. Keano Kini
2. Phillip Sami
3. Max Feagai
4. Jojo Fifita
5. Sialetili Faeamani
6. AJ Brimson
7. Jayden Campbell
8. Moeaki Fotuaika
9. Sam Verrills
10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui
11. Josh Patston
12. Beau Fermor
13. Chris Randall
14. Kurtis Morrin
15. Klese Haas
16. Tukimihia Simpkins
17. Cooper Bai
18. Jett Liu
19. Jenson Taumoepeau
20. Arama Hau
21. Lachlan Ilias
22. Zane Harrison
23. Luke Sommerton
24. Jaylan De Groot
South Sydney Rabbitohs vs. Manly Sea Eagles
Rabbitohs:
1. Jye Gray
2. Alex Johnston
3. Latrell Mitchell
4. Jack Wighton
5. Campbell Graham
6. Cody Walker
7. Ashton Ward
8. Tevita Tatola
9. Brandon Smith
10. Keaon Koloamatangi
11. Tallis Duncan
12. David Fifita
13. Cameron Murray
14. Jamie Humphreys
15. Peter Mamouzelos
16. Bronson Garlick
17. Euan Aitken
18. Jordi Mazzone
19. Adam Elliott
20. Lachlan Hubner
21. Sean Keppie
22. Matthew Dufty
23. Bayleigh Bentley-Hape
24. Liam Le Blanc
25. Latrell Siegwalt
26. Matthew Humphries
27. Thomas Fletcher
28. John Radel
Sea Eagles:
1. Clayton Faulalo
2. Jason Saab
3. Tolutau Koula
4. Reuben Garrick
5. Lehi Hopoate
6. Luke Brooks
7. Jamal Fogarty
8. Taniela Paseka
9. Jake Simpkin
10. Siosiua Taukeiaho
11. Hugo Hart
12. Corey Waddell
13. Nathan Brown
14. Joey Walsh
15. Blake Wilson
16. Ethan Bullemor
17. Kobe Hetherington
18. Zach Dockar-Clay
19. Brandon Wakeham
20. Simione Laiafi
21. Jackson-levi Shereb-schmidt
22. Josh Feledy
23. Navren Willett
24. Blake Metcalfe
