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Rookie coach Cameron Ciraldo is tasked with turning the Bulldogs from cellar dwellers into NRL contenders, but can 2023 be the year they turn things around?

Canterbury are hoping their dog days are over as they begin 2023 with a highly credentialled head coach, some impressive signings, and the return of a prodigal son.

The Bulldogs have endured a lean few years, having not made the NRL finals for six straight seasons.

Their hope is that new coach Cameron Ciraldo will be able to do what Dean Pay and Trent Barrett couldn't, and shake the sleeping giants from their slumber.

Ciraldo arrives from Penrith, where he masterminded the Panthers' defence in three straight grand final appearances.

"I feel like I've known him (Ciraldo) for years," said winger Josh Addo-Carr.

"He cares about the individual more than a player, and it feels like the whole organisation is one now.

"Everyone is playing their part to make this club great again.

"We are a really close group of players at the moment, and I feel I'm learning a lot and everyone is enjoying that."

Addo-Carr was one of the headline signings under Barrett, but the club's fortunes - they were bottom when Barrett was sacked in round 10 - ended up costing him his NSW State of Origin jersey.

"I'm so excited to be a part of this journey," Addo-Carr said.

"I signed here for a reason and I'm so happy I did. I knew where the club was heading before I signed, and it's all coming to fruition now."

Ciraldo is complemented by the addition of some notable recruits, made possible by having the influential Phil Gould as his football manager.

Viliame Kikau also joins from the Panthers, with hooker Reed Mahoney, prop Ryan Sutton and back-rower Andrew Davey adding to a roster that contains five-eighth Matt Burton.

"I watched the Bulldogs when James Graham was playing, and Gus (Gould) said how over the past couple years the club hasn't been where it wanted to be," said Sutton, who joins after four years with Canberra.

"Take a look at the players that Gus has signed - Kikau, Reed - you can see the way things were going.

"It was a bit like when I joined the Raiders and it was an easy choice to make."

Half-back Josh Reynolds has also returned to the club after being handed a career lifeline following a fruitless spell in the Super League.

The make-up of the Bulldogs' spine has chopped and changed over recent years, and Reynolds - along with highly rated rookie Karl Oloapu - will be able to provide cover to Kyle Flanagan and Burton.

Mahoney and Burton are key pieces in the puzzle, but Flanagan is never more than one bad performance away from being in the headlines.

Hayze Perham, who signed from Parramatta with little fanfare, is expected to play fullback until Stephen Crichton arrives from Penrith next season.

While 2024 might be the year Canterbury establish themselves as genuine premiership threats, Ciraldo will be hoping to unlock the best of what he's got at the moment.

Tevita Pangai Jr is a perfect example. The Tongan forward was touted for Origin honours not so long ago, but form, injury and indiscipline have led to many wondering whether he can fulfil his immense potential.

Pangai spent the off-season boxing, and is at his damaging best when he has a point to prove.

"There's good people around me, and hopefully we can come together well this year," he said.

"Hopefully being in a good team helps - last year we were really inconsistent.

"Now, everyone has a voice. You throw in the experience we have and it adds on to what we were building at the back end of last year."

Canterbury enjoyed a late-season renaissance and finished 12th, but will that and their list of new signings be enough to snap their lengthy finals drought?

"I can't tell the future, mate," Pangai said.

"That's your job (to make predictions). If we all play to our ability then why not? Let's see what happens."