Bulldogs add Payne

The Bulldogs have today added Corey Payne to their squad for the 2010 season. As a finalist for the 2009 Ken Stephen Award, to be announced tonight, and as a former local junior Payne will be a welcome face at the Club.

Kevin Moore, who coached Payne as a 17-year old playing premier league, says he’ll bring some extra depth to the squad following the departure of Greg Eastwood.

“Corey’s an aggressive, tough backrower with good ball skills and as a local junior he was really keen to come back to the Bulldogs,” Moore said.

“His ability to cover a number of roles within our forward pack makes him a valuable acquisition to our club.”

The addition of Payne to the Bulldogs is another example of the work going on behind the scenes as the Club continues its preparations for the 2010 season.

Summary of key developments and what lies ahead for the Bulldogs next year:

• The Bulldogs have resumed full control of their second tier team to compete in the NSW Cup, with former player Justin Holbrook appointed coach.
• Steve Pike has joined the Club as a full-time Welfare and Education Officer. His mission is to provide all players with stability and options outside of football. More than 250 applications were received for this position.
• After increasing Membership numbers by more than 60% to nearly 7000 in 2009, the Bulldogs have appointed Maria Tzavaras as the full-time Membership Retention Coordinator. An intern has also been appointed to assist with the Club’s Membership program. In a record for the Club, more than 2500 Members signed up for the 2010 season in the first fortnight of packages going on sale.
• Terry Lamb will move into a newly created ‘Ambassador’ role to work across Club’s commercial and community program. He will also assist Andy Patmore with coaching the Under 20s team.
• The Club will again take their round 15 home game against the Gold Coast Titans to join the Broncos for a double-header and the round 18 game against the Melbourne Storm will be played at the iconic Adelaide Oval in South Australia.
• Developing the Bulldogs in the Community program will continue to be a major priority for the Club. In addition to the ground breaking relationship with Camp Quality, the Bulldogs will also embrace the ‘Bullfrog Foundation’ as part of the broader community portfolio. Created in memory of the incredible community work conducted by Peter ‘Bullfrog’ Moore, the Bulldogs will assist the foundation in raising money for athletes based in the western suburbs who show significant potential in their chosen sport.
• The Club will also be working with the Department of Education and Training on an initiative where players engage with students in regards to the attributes associated with being a role model and the broader implications of leadership. This program will be initially piloted with a handful of schools in the western suburbs utilising video conferencing technology with an objective to expand to over 20 schools.

Full summary of player signings for 2010:

First grade signings: Dene Halatau (Tigers), Mickey Paea (Dragons), Steve Turner (Storm), Junior Tia Kilifi (Panthers), Blake Green (Sharks), Tim Browne (Manly), Corey Payne (Wests Tigers).

NSW CUP signings: Shane Neumann (Manly).

NYC Signings: Arthur Brown (Sunshine Coast centre), Josh Jackson (Newcastle second row), Sam Kasiano (Brisbane prop), Josh Kent (Dragons half), Eddie Tautali (Brisbane Easts wing), Lota Fialii (Panthers second row), Pao Pele (West Harbour Rugby centre), Chris Brady (Central Coast second row), Chris Centrone (Nelsons Bay fullback), Ray Marshall (Dragons centre), Dean McGlinchey (Tigers second row), Shay Moran (Dragons half), Cruze Iosefa (Westfields Sports HS wing).

First grade re-signings: Brad Morrin

NSW Cup re-signings: Trent Cutler, Nathan Dib, Josh Reynolds, Rhys Jack, Joe Matapuku, Jake Foster, Nathan Benny, Conrad Ta'ekimoeaka.

NYC re-signings: Jamie Graham, Shane Pumipi, Nehe Millner, Ben Aulitiia (SG Ball 09), Josh Gill (SG Ball 09).

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