Mark O'Meley has been handed his first senior elite coaching gig, taking over Canterbury's NRLW side as part of a restructure at the club.
Bulldogs officials confirmed on Wednesday that O'Meley would be their new women's coach next year, with Brayden Wiliame to move into a men's pathways role.
The appointment should help offer Canterbury some stability, with close to two-thirds of their roster off contract at the end of 2026.
O'Meley is a highly-respected figure at the club, having long held a position in the club's pathways space after a stint as Wyong Roos coach.
He cut his teeth as an U18s and U20s NSW men's coach, after the Canterbury great retired from the NRL in 2013.
"I'm incredibly grateful and blessed to be given the opportunity to be the NRLW head coach for 2027," he said.
"It's a role I'm extremely proud of and one I don't take lightly.
"My philosophy has always been about building strong connections, setting high standards, keeping things simple and making sure we're the best we can be at the basics.
"We'll be tough, we'll be connected and we'll be hungry to get better every day. The details matter, but so does enjoying the journey together."
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O'Meley played 110 NRL games for Canterbury between 2002 and 2007, including their 2004 grand-final win. He also had stints at the North Sydney Bears, Northern Eagles and Sydney Roosters, before spending four years in the English Super League with Hull FC.
The Bulldogs remain in contention to play in their first NRLW finals series this year, one win outside of the top six, albeit with a horror for-and-against.
After coming into the competition last year, Canterbury have already recorded as many wins through the first six rounds as they did in the entire 2025 season.
