Over the course of the pre-season bulldogs.com.au will analyse each position in the Bulldogs top 30 squad, focusing on the options Dean Pay has in 2019.
Today we take a look at the centre position.
Will Hopoate:
Hopoate played 14 games at centre in 2018 before shifting to fullback and starring over the second half of the 2018 season.
The 26-year old scored three tries in the number four jersey and with the arrival of Nick Meaney, a shift to the centres for the Tongan international could help the balance of the side.
One of the more experienced players on the roster, Hopoate is reliable, safe and consistent.
Hoppa's Highs
Kerrod Holland:
Holland made 20 appearances in 2018, with ten of those spent in the centre position, including five tries. There were doubles against the Newcastle Knights in round 16 and the Wests Tigers in round 20.
Since making his debut for the club in 2016, the 26-year old has played 24 games at centre out of his 46 matches and has crossed the try-line on eight occasions.
Holland has a goal kicking percentage of 78.65 and although he was used as a utility throughout the 2018 season, centre is the preferred position for the Singleton Greyhound junior.
Holland's Highlights
John Olive:
Olive arrived at Belmore at the beginning of the 2018 season from the Gold Coast Titans.
A former Canterbury junior, having previously played for the Revesby Heights Rhinos and Chester Hill clubs, the 21-year old made his NRL club debut in round 12 against the Wests Tigers.
He managed three NRL games for the club in the centre position, averaging 127 metres per game and scoring a try against the Gold Coast Titans at Belmore. Olive was a member of the club's successful ISP team and scored seven tries from his 19 appearances in 2018.
Morgan Harper:
Harper was named as one of the club's development players, but following an impressive pre-season, the talented outside back has been rewarded with a Top 30 contract.
The 21-year old has been contracted to the club for five years and was also a member of the club's High Performance Youth Program in New Zealand.
An exciting outside back, Morgan began the 2018 season with the club's Jersey Flegg side before finishing with the successful reserve grade team who claimed both the Intrust Super Premiership and National State Championship.
Harper was rewarded for his efforts with a spot in the Junior Kiwis team.
