With no fewer than ten new signings for 2024, there is plenty to speculate about how the Bulldogs will line up next season and what this means for Fantasy coaches.
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After ending last year as one of the best performing players in his position, expected fullback Stephen Crichton has held CTR status and will be a popular option, while Bronson Xerri appears to be solid value at less than $500k if he can regain top form in his first NRL season since 2019.
Also shaping as an underpriced prospect is another recruit, Josh Curran ($501k), who averaged a modest 32 points per game, predominantly off the bench, for the Warriors last year, but should have a much more prominent role as a starter with the Dogs.
The likes of Reed Mahoney, Matt Burton and Jacob Kiraz showed glimpses of brilliance last year but lacked consistency, while one of 2023’s best cash cows, Jacob Preston, is among the highest ranked EDGs this time around and is his side’s most expensive player at $704k.
Bulldogs 2024 NRL Fantasy guide
The big gun
Having already highlighted what was an up and down campaign for him last season, Matt Burton still ended up having his second-best Fantasy season to date in terms of season average (46.6 per game). Behind a forward pack which looks stronger in 2024, and with some shiny new toys out wide to set up for line breaks and tries, the 23-year-old should be among the best halves in the next tier below Nathan Cleary and Nicho Hynes. He’s nice and cheap at $642k, too.
We don’t know what to anticipate from Bronson Xerri as he returns from a four-year ban, but it’s safe to predict he’ll outperform his $450k price tag in Fantasy rather quickly. With his speed, Xerri will find lots of line breaks and is expected to emerge as a vital attacking weapon for the Dogs fairly long. At worst, he’s a safe bet to generate some early revenue for you, and at most, he’s a low-cost keeper at CTR.
The Doggies compete in Rounds 13 and 16, when Fantasy teams will be affected hardest by mass byes, before sitting out Round 19. Their bye schedule will be especially beneficial for overall players, since their top Fantasy prospects are unlikely to compete in State of Origin. They play in the final eight weeks of the regular season, thus Bulldogs players appear to be solid possibilities for the run home and finals.
