Kurri Kurri Bulldogs to unveil new-look squad in trial against Souths

Kick-off has been delayed until 5.30pm so people can walk down from the festivities in the CBD to the Graveyard for the clash, which will feature several of the Bulldogs 2025 signings.

The key recruits include former NRL and Super League prop Mitch Garbutt, Stringer's son Jack, who has played lock with the Wyong Roos and was part of the Newcastle Rebels team until work commitments forced him to withdraw, and halves Matt Woolnough and Jordi Madden.

Woolnough is from Belconnen United Sharks in Canberra and has played rep footy, while Madden is from Group 11 power club Dubbo Cyms Fishies and is related to the Linnane family.

The club is also expected to announce another couple of key recruits in the coming weeks.

Jack Tamburrini, who was sidelined last year with an ACL injury, is looking super fit, and back-rower and local junior Jared Anderson is returning to the club.

"I'm really impressed with the level we are training at from where we started to where we are now," said Stringer, a former NRL forward with an extensive coaching resume within the NRL system.

Stringer said getting his son Jack across from Wyong had been a tremendous boost.

"He's a really good help and tool for me. He is just one of those guys who does everything you ask and does it to 100 per cent maximum," he said.

"When we're training, the boys know they've been tackled when they get tackled by him and stuff like that.

"We do a lot of scrimmage work and scenario stuff at training. The boys are throwing themselves at each other every session. We do lots of contacts, so we're going to be ready for that side of the game.

"A couple of the other young guys who have been at Kurri have really stepped forward.

"They haven't won a game for a couple of years, but with some good players around them, there's going to be some real good young players out there on show this season.

"Tully Wholert is a young outside back, fullback, who's big and strong, and he's making every post a winner. He stood up and made me take notice of him, and you know, he'll be playing in our back three for sure."

Stringer is impressed with how the new halves pair are coming together, with Woolnough named captain for this season.

"Jordi Madden is going really good. He missed the pre-Christmas training, but he's fitted straight in. He's a tough kid, got a lot of skill about him, and really combines well with Matt Woolnough," he said.

"Matt will be our six and captain, actually. He's like our leader; he gets us around the park. He's got a good old head on his shoulders. He really fits into the culture and that we got there, trains hard, works hard, and shows up. I'm pleased with him."

Stringer said Brodie Linnane and Jack Tamburrini had led the way among the young Bulldogs, embracing what he and the more experienced recruits aimed to bring to the club.

"He's going awesome. He's just going to be one of those players who will be better with better people around him. One of the local kids that have really embraced what I'm trying to do

"Jack Tamburrin is something special, the red-headed, right-edge back-rower. He missed all last year with a knee ACL, but he's come back big, strong, and aggressive, and I'm looking forward to him taking the field in his first game since ACL on the weekend."