Bulldogs boss outlines reasons for terrible season – then turns the heat on supporters

Canterbury chairman Adam Driussi has opened up on a “very disappointing” season that he believes is due to a lack of discipline and a failure to adapt to this year’s rule changes.

However, he says the players “don’t deserve the abuse” some have copped from fans online.

The Bulldogs are languishing in 14th spot on the NRL ladder ahead of their King’s birthday clash with arch-rivals Parramatta after a 4-8 start to the season. Expectations were high for 2026 following the addition of Newcastle’s Leo Thompson to a side that finished third last year, but the “Family Club” faces the prospect of missing out on the finals altogether this season.

While coach Cameron Ciraldo and general manager of football Phil Gould have publicly defended maligned playmaker Lachlan Galvin, it appears some spine positions are not safe. Recent meetings with potential recruits Luke Metcalf, Sam Verrills and Connor Watson suggest the club is looking to overhaul the way it plays. Metcalf and Watson have since signed elsewhere.

Driussi has kept a low profile during the barren run as he has been at the bedside of 21-year-old daughter Charlotte as she recovers from a serious illness in the United States. However, Driussi has been kept abreast of developments at Canterbury while overseas and wished to address the state of the club in a half-yearly message to members.

Driussi said the club took responsibility for its current position, but said the vile abuse directed towards some of the players was not acceptable.

“I understand our members and fans are passionate and upset when we lose – that passion is one of the great things about our club and I never take it for granted,” Driussi wrote.

“But I want to be direct: personal attacks on players and staff on social media are not who we are, and they don’t help anyone. Everyone inside this club gives everything they have to represent the Bulldogs. They don’t deserve the abuse that some of them are being subjected to online. Please support them.”

Changes to the six again rule and other interpretations have had a marked effect on the competition, with all of last year’s top four teams outside the top eight. Driussi admitted the Bulldogs have failed to evolve quickly enough.

“The honest reality is that the changes have arguably not suited our style of play or the shape of our roster – and it is on us to adapt faster than we have,” said Driussi, who described the club’s salary cap as being in “good shape”.

“Every other club is dealing with the same rules. We need to deal with them better.”

The Bulldogs have paid dearly for a lack of dis