LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
The Canterbury Bulldogs have successfully secured a highly-rated young halfback from their arch-rivals, the Parramatta Eels, in preparation for the upcoming 2026 season.
In recent years, the Bulldogs have focused on recruiting top young talent from competing teams, acquiring promising playmakers such as Alex Conti, Cassius Tia, and Aaymon Fitzgibbon from the Wests Tigers, Sydney Roosters, and St George Illawarra Dragons.
Keeping with this strategy, they have now added another potential star to their development system as they aim to clinch their first premiership title since 2004.
Zain Alameddine, a halfback who was part of the Eels' Under-17s Harold Matthews Cup squad in 2025, has chosen to join the Bulldogs, where he will participate in the Under-19s SG Ball Cup competition next year.
Zain, the younger brother of Eels winger Mohamed Alameddine, is anticipated to make a significant impact in the upcoming seasons. He recently led Westfield Sports High School in this year's Schoolboy Cup and also represented Wentworthville United in the Metro Combined competition.
His move marks a trend of talented juniors leaving the Eels, joining the likes of Domenico De Stradis (Brisbane Tigers), Dominic Farrugia (Roosters), Joshua Lynn (Sunshine Coast Falcons), and Matthew Hunter (Knights).