TEMORA product Joe Stimson has backed new club Canterbury to be one of the big improvers next year as he looks to reaffirm himself as a first grade regular after a "disappointing" swansong year at Melbourne.
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Back rower Stimson, 23, enjoyed a breakout year in 2018 but lost his starting spot to Kiwi international Kenny Bromwich as the Storm marched to the minor premiership.
He managed just 12 games in the NRL, ten of those from the bench, with most of his year spent travelling up north to play for Storm feeder team Sunshine Coast Falcons in the Queensland Cup.
After signing a three-year deal with Canterbury, Stimson was encouraged by the Bulldogs' strong finish where they won five of their last six games.
He is looking forward to learning from their star studded forward pack, but realises it means he will have to work hard to prove himself to new coach Dean Pay and earn the no.11 or no.12 jersey for round one.
"I'm not guaranteed (a spot) by any means with the talent of the back rowers there. I'm going to have my work cut out for me, but that will only make me better," Stimson said.
"One of the huge drawcards (of signing with the Bulldogs) was guys like Josh Jackson, Dylan Napa and Aidan Tolman, they seem like great guys as well as awesome footy players.
"They'll definitely improve me as a specialist back rower and I'm looking forward to learning off those guys."
Stimson said this year was a difficult one mentally after failing to crack a spot in Melbourne's side during the finals.
"It was quite disappointing from a personal point of view the way the year ended up. The way it went wasn't what I had in mind, especially with the season I had in 2018," he said.
"It was a bit of a step back, but that's footy. They're such a good side so I can't really be too disappointed being part of a squad that won the minor premiership.
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"It's made me more hungry and made me realise how much I do love the game. It taught me a lot that there can be highs but also lows, and you have to keep a good attitude and a positive mindset."
Stimson said the Bulldogs have the makings of a potential finals team with five-eighth Kieran Foran ending an injury riddled campaign strongly, strike centre Will Hopoate in career best form and the mid season acquisition of fullback Dallin Watene-Zelezniak from Penrith.
"The way they finished the year was so impressive," he said.
"They hung in games and the addition of Dallin gave them a lot more strikepower.
"They brand themselves as the family club, that's what he (Pay) pushed towards me and I could really see that.
"He reminds me a lot of (Storm coach) Craig Bellamy to be honest, he's quite old school with how he comes across.
"He rewards hard work and I that's probably one of the strengths of my game.
"I'm a bit closer to Temora, that was a big drawing point but it's more about the opportunity really."
Stimson said the Bulldogs have the makings of a potential finals team with five-eighth Kieran Foran ending an injury riddled campaign strongly, strike centre Will Hopoate in career best form and the mid season acquisition of fullback Dallin Watene-Zelezniak from Penrith.
"The way they finished the year was so impressive," he said.
"They hung in games and the addition of Dallin gave them a lot more strikepower.
"They brand themselves as the family club, that's what he (Pay) pushed towards me and I could really see that.
"He reminds me a lot of (Storm coach) Craig Bellamy to be honest, he's quite old school with how he comes across.
"He rewards hard work and I that's probably one of the strengths of my game.
"I'm a bit closer to Temora, that was a big drawing point but it's more about the opportunity really."
