The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs have bolstered the Club’s NRLW forward stocks with five signings for the 2025 season - with all committing to two-year deals.
Highlighted by former Jillaroo and NSW Sky Blues representative Holli Wheeler, the Club’s inaugural squad will also welcome Tongan representatives Kalosipani Hopoate and Tegan Dymock, as well as Kiwi Fern Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa and rising star Alexis Tauaneai.
Wheeler, a veteran since the NRLW’s inaugural season, will rejoin the Club having previously represented the Bulldogs in the Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership. A former Australian and NSW representative, Wheeler brings invaluable experience as hard-running middle. Wheeler’s connection to the Club runs deeper, coming from a Bulldogs-mad family, while she also previously took up a role as a gameday announcer during the 2024 NRL pre-season at Belmore.
Youngster Alexis Tauaneai, another former Bulldogs pathways representative, has been a mainstay of the St George Illawarra Dragons in 2024 thus far, starting in the no.13 jersey and playing every minute of the season so far. A punishing defender with a 92.9% tackle efficiency, Tauaneai has been turning heads in women's rugby league. She was awarded the Player of the Tournament in the 2023 Tarsha Gale Cup and earned selection in the NSW's Under 19s State of Origin squad but opted to declare her allegiance to the Kiwi Ferns.
Hopoate, a Tongan representative, is a powerfully built front rower who has represented NSW in the Under 19’s State of Origin arena, and joins brother Will, a veteran of six seasons, as a Bulldog. ‘Pani’ has averaged 67 metres per game this season so far, averaging over 30 minutes in the middle of the field.
Dymock, who has been instrumental in Cronulla’s undefeated campaign so far, is another member of the Bulldogs family who will join the Club’s inaugural NRLW season. A tough and versatile lock forward, Tegan is the daughter of 1995 Premiership winner and former interim coach Jim.
Milperra Colts junior Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa returns home having represented the Bulldogs in the Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership and will look to add plenty of impact in the engine room. Having represented the Kiwi Ferns at just 22 years of age, ‘Teka’ has been one of the stand-out forwards in the NRLW in 2024 thus far.
Having a close relationship with a number of these signings, inaugural Head Coach Cavallaro says that his pack is shaping up to be one that Bulldogs Members and supporters will be proud of.
“Bringing in this core of our forward pack is going to suit the style of footy that we want to play,” Cavallaro stated.
I believe we have a powerful and physical pack with controlled aggression, which is a necessity in the NRLW to ensure our halves and outside backs can play to their capabilities.
“A lot of these players have had a great experience playing here already through the Club’s pathways, and after talking to them, they knew they wanted to be at The Family Club.
“Getting that core connection and ensuring that we build a strong culture and set standards on what it means to be a Bulldog will then allow this squad to guide the next crop of players through our system.”
Out of respect to the players, their current clubs and respective NRLW commitments, the Bulldogs will not be making any further comments at this time but would like to wish them all well for the remainder of the season.
