Bulldogs General Manager of Football Phil Gould has earmarked 22-year-old forward Samuel Hughes as a potential breakout star for the club in 2024.
It’s worth noting Gould’s opinion on the issue considering he was dead on the mark last year when naming Jacob Preston as the Bulldogs’ young gun to watch last season.
Preston didn’t just vindicate Gould’s lofty expectations, he smashed them.
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Not only did the tough-as-teak back rower win the club’s rookie of the year award but cleaned the pool by collecting the Dr George Peponis Medal as Bulldogs player of the year and the member’s player of the year as well.
While Gould didn’t say Hughes would reach the same heights as Preston in 2024, it’s quite the rap from the astute football mind on the 22-year-old.
Responding to a question from a fan on social media site X asking if there’s any bolters impressing at pre-season training, Gould answered ‘”Sam Hughes…”
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Hughes appeared in five games for the Bulldogs last season, making his NRL debut in Round 6 against the Rabbitohs.
He came off the bench in four of those, and started one game at lock forward.
With the Bulldogs losing Luke Thompson, Franklin Pele and Tevita Pangai Junior from their forward stocks, Hughes will be consistently challenging for a first grade spot sooner rather than later.
