Bulldogs veteran is released right away and finds a new home

Canterbury released Bulldogs veteran Raymond Faitala-Mariner on Monday afternoon, allowing him to join St George Illawarra. Faitala-Mariner will leave the Kennel immediately.

Bulldogs brass insisted in a statement issued by the Belmore-based team that the 30-year-old was freed “so he can take up an opportunity at another NRL Club.”

After making 12 appearances over the course of two seasons with his local New Zealand Warriors, Faitala-Mariner joined the Bulldogs in the middle of the 2016 campaign.

In 102 games in the first grade, the dual Samoan and Kiwi international wore the renowned blue and white chevrons of the Dogs and crossed the chalk 11 times.

The Dragons greeted Faitala-Mariner with a statement of their own, having reached a two-year agreement with the forward.

Head coach Shane Flanagan told Dragons Media, “Raymond is a seasoned first-grader who will add some experience and grit to our forward pack.”

“Our entire team will benefit from his ability to play both on an edge and in the middle, as well as the guidance he can offer our developing forwards.”

“We are thrilled to have him join us for training this week as we continue to get ready for the 2024 campaign.”

The Dragons are scheduled to open their 2024 season on Saturday, March 9, when they play the Titans at Cbus Super Stadium, after trials against South Sydney and Wests.