Current interim Canterbury coach, Steve Georgallis, is one of five staffers who have been told there isn’t a job for them at the ‘family club’ under Trent Barrett next season.
In a shock development, the Bulldogs are also expected to cut a further four staffers including head of high performance, Tony Ayoub, two strength and conditioning coaches, Harry Harris and Tony Grimaldi, and skills coach Steve James.
The move will rock Canterbury, although insiders insist change is needed with the club running last on the NRL competition table.
Gold Coast head of high performance, Dan Ferris, is expected to join Barrett at Belmore. Barrett and Ferris worked together at Manly.
Georgallis, who took over from sacked Dean Pay on July 14, has applied for the vacant North Queensland coaching job. He previously filled in as a head coach at the Panthers following the resignation of Matthew Elliott in 2011.
RELATED: Steve Georgallis named interim coach of Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs.
The cull started last weekend when veteran trainer Garry Carden, deemed by players as the “the heart and soul” of the club, was let go after 37 years of service.
A month earlier, when Pay was dumped, assistant coach Steve Antonelli quit.
Those close to the club believe Barrett and his new coaching staff will bring a more flamboyant playing style next season.
The club is also mindful of minimising costs given fears the COVID-19 situation could continue to affect the bottom line next year.
The departures were partly offset by the retention of Adam Elliott, who knocked back a lucrative deal from the Warriors to stay put on a new three-year deal.
“Adam has become a fantastic leader at Belmore and, when he runs onto the field for the Bulldogs, you can feel the passion he has for the club,” Bulldogs chief Andrew Hill said.
“We look forward to seeing him continue to represent the Bulldogs with distinction over the next three years.”
READ MORE: TGH Exclusive: Steve Georgallis – The man planning to turn the Bulldogs back into a competitive side
