As the curtain comes down on Canterbury's underwhelming season, star signing Josh Addo-Carr says he has "loved every minute" of his first year as a Bulldog.
Addo-Carr, who plays his 150th NRL game against Manly on Friday, made the move from perennial heavyweights Melbourne with the hopes of a new challenge and a fresh start under coach Trent Barrett.
Things haven't always gone to plan - the Bulldogs figured in pre-season top-eight predictions but instead began with a string of poor performances that led the club to part company with Barrett.
But Canterbury (6-17) showed marked improvement under interim coach Mick Potter, with whom Addo-Carr gets on famously, and shook off concerns of a second-straight wooden spoon.
Things are on the up with coach Cameron Ciraldo taking the reins from 2023 and key signings Viliame Kikau and Reed Mahoney also arriving in the off-season.
"Everyone sees the potential that the club is heading towards with the players and the coach who are coming in," Addo-Carr said.
"I'm sure (Ciraldo) is going to bring nothing but good people to the club and that's what the club needs."
Addo-Carr is missing the finals series for the first time since his debut season but the former State of Origin representative has no regrets making the move to the Bulldogs.
"There's disappointment that we didn't make the finals but everyone knows ... when we're on, we're on," he said.
"I'm loving every minute that I've been at this club.
"It's strange how things work out but I feel like it was meant to be."
Friday's game will be Kieran Foran's last in Sea Eagles colours, with the club legend set to end his career on the Gold Coast.
Foran will finish his time at Manly having made 196 appearances across two stints and was a member of the club's most recent premiership team in 2011.
"It'll be a pretty interesting feeling come full-time," he said.
"I'm sad that my time at Manly is coming to an end but excited also for the new challenge.
"Hopefully we can finish on a high note."
