Canterbury’s injured first-choice fullback Connor Tracey is likely to be available for selection weeks earlier than expected.
Speaking ahead of the Round 23 clash with the New Zealand Warriors, Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo even suggested the fullback wanted to play this weekend.
“He’s going really well, he wanted to play this week,” Ciraldo confirmed, before explaining the custodian will spend another week on the sidelines.
“The medical team did the right thing and held him back, but we’re hopeful he should be right by next week.”
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“Don’t ask me to pronounce it (Tracey’s injury), I don’t know exactly what it was, but he assures me it was just a muscle tear and once he feels good to go, he’ll be ready,” Ciraldo added.
Currently in his second season at Belmore after joining from the Sharks at the end of 2023, Tracey has been one of the unsung heroes of the Bulldogs’ backline in 2025, playing every game until last week’s shock loss to the Wests Tigers.
‘Three weeks of complete rest’
Following comments by Bulldogs boss Phil Gould, there were originally fears the 29-year-old would miss four weeks or more following an abdominal haematoma that saw him in hospital after the Round 21 win over the Sea Eagles.
Speaking on Channel Nine’s 100% Footy, Gould explained Tracey needed ‘three weeks of complete rest before he can even get back into light training’—but barring any set-backs the fullback now looks likely to be named in the line-up for the Round 24 clash with the Sydney Roosters.
NSW Blues squad member Jacob Kiraz has deputised at fullback in Tracey’s absence and will wear the number one jersey again as the Bulldogs face the Warriors at a likely wet Accor Stadium on Saturday night.