Canterbury Bankstown Chair John Khoury spoke proudly of those honoured in a year when the club’s junior representative teams earned three grand final appearances and one premiership trophy.
“The Bulldogs Academy represents the future of our club,” Khoury said.
“Each of our teams were incredibly competitive in 2023, and the tenacity, grit and determination that each of our players showed week in and week out, is everything we ask of any player when they pull on the blue-and-white jersey.”
The evening was hosted by MC and Fox Sports presenter, Darcie McDonald, who reflected on the achievements of the Bulldogs Academy and development system.
Halfback Mitchell Woods earned the 2023 Bulldogs Harold Matthews Player of the Year Award, while Sheldon Abbey was selected for the 2023 Coaches Award.
Mitchell proved himself a natural born leader, captaining the 2023 Bulldogs Harold Matthews Cup team to the Premiership win and always leading by example, while Abbey nabbed the Harold Matts Coaches Award with the lock giving consistent efforts all season – he always pushed, led the kick chases and worked hard all season for his teammates.
AJ Jones picked up the Bulldogs SG Ball Player of the Year, with fellow forward Damon Marshall earning the Coaches Award accolade; Tarli Dennis won the Bulldogs Tarsha Gale Cup Player of the Year with Latisha Smythe earning the Coaches Award; and Holli Wheeler collected the 2023 Bulldogs Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership Player of the Year and halfback Tayla Preston picked up the Coaches Award.
Holli played each match with heart and excelled on the ‘one percenters’, whether it be a kick chase, kick pressure or chasing hard on a line break, Holli always gave 100 percent effort, while Preston was a chief playmaker.
