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Taaffe made eight starts at fullback in 2023 but knew that to find a permanent starting spot he would have to take his services elsewhere.
“I thought the time was right. Obviously, being stuck there [behind Latrell] I thought I could give someone else my value, I guess,” he said.
Blake Taaffe is trying to lock down the fullback role at the Bulldogs for 2024.Credit: Nick Moir
“Not being able to play towards the back end of the year, I had a lot of time playing in NSW Cup, learning the things that maybe I wasn’t getting right in the NRL, where I can come here and do that now. That’s what I’m really looking forward to, being able to go out there and show the members and fans what I can do.”
But Taaffe will have to fight just as hard to get the No.1 jersey at Canterbury. The club has a bounty of fullback options, including incumbent Hayze Perham, along with recruits Connor Tracey and Stephen Crichton.
One of 10 new faces at the Bulldogs in 2024, Taaffe said he was determined to help the club return to its glory days.
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“I think that’s all our dreams and aspirations, to turn the club around, and I think they’ve got the right coaching staff with Ciro [coach Cameron Ciraldo], Chaddy [assistant Chad Randall], and JT [assistant Jason Taylor] here, and I really think that we’re building something special,” Taaffe said.
“I think the sky’s the limit for us. We’re training for something really special. So, members and fans, get ready.”
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