The Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs will be one of the NRL’s teams to watch in 2023 as they look to build on an impressive second half to the season in 2022.

New signings Viliame Kikau and Reed Mahoney are sure to have a big impact on the side this season with Kikau in particular earning special mention from one of his teammates.

Josh Addo-Carr recently spoke to The Daily Telegraph’s Michael Carayannis about the Bulldogs left edge.

“Good luck trying to tackle Viliame Kikau, Matt Burton or Josh Addo-Carr on the left side,” said Addo-Carr.

“I’ve been on the other side of the field so I haven’t had to tackle him [Kikau].

“He draws defenders in and creates a lot of opportunities for the people around him.

“He creates space for his outside players.”

 
Matt Burton also mentioned his 2021 premiership-winning teammate when speaking to The Telegraph.

“It’s going to be unreal,” Burton said.

“The spark he brings and talent.

“It’s going to be special to have him on the edge.”

Burton has recently re-signed with the Bulldogs until the end of 2027 after months of speculation that he was set to re-sign with the club.

When Burton first signed with the club in 2021 there were rumours of him backflipping on the deal and upon Trent Barrett’s departure, some believed he was unhappy at the Bulldogs.

In 2022 Burton and Addo-Carr were one of the league’s most exciting duos in attack that revitalised the way that the Bulldogs played with interim coach Michael Potter giving them the freedom to play their natural game.

New head coach Cameron Ciraldo’s big task now is to find a way to have his side playing to a structure but one that can allow for players such as Burton and Addo-Carr to get creative at times.

The introduction of Kikau on the left edge is sure to have both the Bulldogs five-eighth and winger salivating over the attacking opportunities they now have with a world-class forward to shake things up with.