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Season Preview 2025: Goulburn City Bulldogs
In 2025, the Goulburn City Bulldogs will be strengthened by the return of Mitch Cornish and the arrival of new coach Brian Gray in the Blumers Lawyers Canberra Raiders Cup.
Meanwhile, the Katrina Fanning Shield side will aim for greater consistency, while the League Tag team looks to build on last year’s top-four finish.
Goulburn’s 2024 season was impacted by the preseason injury to captain-coach Mitch Cornish, which sidelined him for the year as the Bulldogs finished seventh with a 4-12 record.
Now, after an 18-month layoff, the former Canberra Raider and Sydney Rooster is set to return.
“It’s probably the most serious injury I’ve had, so mentally and physically it was a long road, but it’s good to be on the other side of it,” Cornish said.
The Bulldogs also welcome Brian Gray, an experienced coach with 25 years in the Eastern Suburbs/Sydney Roosters junior system and George Tooke Shield premierships with Crookwell. Cornish highlighted the respect Gray commands within the group.
“When he talks, all the boys listen.”
In the Blumers Lawyers Katrina Fanning Shield, Goulburn is focused on improved fitness and the return of veteran players.
“The preseason focus has been fitness - that’s something that let us down last year,” Bulldogs player Bronte Willdin said.
“So this preseason, we’ve been going hard on fitness and getting our game structure right, especially with a lot of young girls coming up.
“We’ve got some veteran players coming back, so I think that’s going to be our power this year.”
Meanwhile, the Bulldogs' League Tag side is determined to build on last year’s top-four finish after an early finals exit.
“We’re definitely aiming to make semis again,” said League Tagger Lara Karjalainen.
“Preseason has been a big lead-up, so we’re all ready to get into it.”
In Reserve Grade, Goulburn is expected to contend after narrowly missing the top four on points differential, while the Under 19s will also be hungry for redemption after a dominant season ended in grand final heartbreak.
