The Canterbury Bulldogs have continued their coaching restructure heading into 2025, with former club captain Josh Jackson set to lead the Jersey Flegg side and Steve Turner taking charge of the SG Ball team. This move is part of the Bulldogs’ “Bulldogs coaching young Bulldogs” policy, as general manager of football Phil Gould announced on X (formerly Twitter).
Jackson, who played 241 games for the Bulldogs, was instrumental in Canterbury’s Jersey Flegg premiership in 2024 and will now step into a full-time coaching role next season. Meanwhile, Turner, who was forced into medical retirement in 2013 but has served in administrative and training roles at the club for the past decade, will take over the SG Ball team.
Gould expressed his confidence in the coaching changes, stating, “The professionalism and work ethic that both of these men bring to our Bulldogs pathways is outstanding and second to none. I love the fact that Bulldogs are coaching Bulldogs.”
These coaching adjustments come after the Bulldogs’ disappointing 15th-place finish in head coach Cameron Ciraldo’s first year in charge. However, with several high-profile recruits joining the club, expectations are high for a much-improved 2025 season.
Additional changes in the coaching staff include former Jersey Flegg coach Luke Vella being promoted to the NRL squad as an assistant coach. Vella, whose playing career was tragically cut short by a spinal injury, expressed excitement about his new role: “It’s really special for me, and it’s probably come a little sooner than I expected, but I’m ready for it.”
Meanwhile, former interim coach Mick Potter will take charge of the NSW Cup side in 2025, aiming to build a strong development pathway for younger players preparing for NRL action.
The Bulldogs are set for a fresh start, with a renewed focus on fostering club DNA and nurturing the next generation of talent under this revamped coaching lineup.
