Andrew Johns has urged the Bulldogs to target a top class halfback and a top class fullback to join the club in 2024 and kickstart their next era of success. Johns said the lack of talent coming through the juniors in key positions would force the Bulldogs to choose known quantities and pay them handsomely to guarantee a brighter future. Choosing from a list of halfbacks coming off-contract in 2023, Johns said the Bulldogs wouldn't be able to get Sam Walker out of the Roosters and opted against making Ben Hunt the top halfback target due to his age. "You probably look at that and you probably say Jackson Hastings," Johns said. "He's the one they'll have to go after but to get him out of the Tigers, because there isn't so much depth in the competition at halfback, you probably have to pay $800-$900,000-a-season or even more to get Jackson out of the Tigers." Johns added that Walsh was the best option out of the available fullbacks, picking from a list that also included Latrell Mitchell, Scott Drinkwater, Will Kennedy and Daine Laurie. "Reece Walsh would be number one for me, and after him I'd go for Scott Drinkwater," Johns said. "He covers fullback but also five-eighth, a really creative player. "They have to build from within, and the advantage they have is they have Phil Gould there. He understands how to build a club and how to coach up the juniors, but it's going to take time. So Bulldogs fans, try to be patient."
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