LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
Phil Gould, the General Manager of Football for the Canterbury Bulldogs, has announced that two promising rookies have been promoted to the club's Top 30 roster for the upcoming 2026 NRL season.
Winger Jonathan Sua, who spent the previous season on the development list, will be joining the Top 30 for the first time in his career. Sua aims to secure a regular position on the first-grade team. At just 21 years old, he debuted in 2024 and is considered one of the top young outside backs within the Bulldogs' ranks. His performance in the NSW Cup was impressive, scoring 15 tries in 21 matches.
In addition to his goal-scoring feats, Sua contributed six try assists, recorded 71 tackle busts, made 22 line-breaks, and averaged 131 running metres per game. His potential to join the backline as early as Round 1 has been heightened due to an injury to Fijian international Jethro Rinakama, who will miss the start of the next season.
Furthermore, Gould confirmed that Patrick Young, a young dummy-half, has also been upgraded to the Top 30 roster. Young has demonstrated notable skills in junior representative competitions, particularly in the Under-21s Jersey Flegg Cup. He made his senior debut in 2025, appearing in three matches in the NSW Cup.
Next season, Young is expected to compete with Jake Turpin for the role of back-up to Bailey Hayward at hooker. However, it is likely he will spend most of the year in reserve-grade, focusing on his development and gaining experience from his teammates.