After four years in which injuries continually stopped the talented 24-year-old in his tracks, Dykes has finally been able to string together consistent football in 2026 — and now the Bulldogs outside back has his sights firmly set on returning to the NRL.
In the tunnel of Accor Stadium after a tense NSW Cup victory over the Rabbitohs last weekend, Dykes was all smiles. And he should have been.
He had pulled off a fantastic try-saving tackle on Rabbitohs winger Jordi Mazzone with the scores close. He had his fingerprints on several attacking raids as he looked light on his feet with pace to burn.
He ended the game with 17 runs for 136 metres, no errors and a couple of tactical grubbers. They’re all signs of a very talented footballer just itching to get another crack.
Dykes arrived at Canterbury this season looking for a fresh start after an incredibly frustrating period at Cronulla, where his career never really had the opportunity to gather momentum.
There were glimpses of what he could do — including just a handful of NRL appearances — but seemingly every time Dykes began building towards something, his body had other ideas.
A serious knee injury cost him the entire 2023 season, while subsequent injuries continued to interrupt his progress.
It makes his run of consistent NSW Cup football for the Bulldogs this year particularly significant as he chases a new contract for the 2027 season.
“It’s been a long four years,” Dykes told Flashscore after the match.
“I haven’t really been able to string together a full season. I’ve always had an injury that’s ruled me out for the year or half the year.
“This year has been really refreshing. I’ve been able to play consistent footy and I’m loving it.”
Dykes has found himself playing predominantly at fullback for Canterbury’s NSW Cup side, but his versatility remains one of his greatest assets, appearing at five-eighth several times this year.
Having played fullback, centre and in the halves throughout his career, he provides the Bulldogs with an experienced option capable of filling several positions.
And importantly, he hasn’t given up on adding to those few NRL appearances that seem to have happened so long ago.
“If you had told me at the start of the year that I was going to even get out 15 games or something, I'd be pretty happy with that,” he said.
“I just need to be happy with getting through the games this year and just ticking them off and then another preseason - hopefully an unrestricted preseason to help me for next year.”
While he’d love to stay a Bulldog, he said he hasn’t yet looked at any offers for next year as he continues to go from strength to strength to make it back to the top.
“That’s obviously the goal,” he said.
“I want to get back into the NRL. I feel like I’ve still got plenty of good footy left in me.”
There is also another interesting Bulldogs connection away from the field.
Dykes is engaged to Canterbury NRLW fullback Andie Robinson, meaning the pair are now both chasing their rugby league ambitions wearing blue and white.
For Dykes, though, the immediate focus is refreshingly simple.
After spending so much of the past four years rehabilitating, recovering and wondering when his next opportunity would arrive, he can finally concentrate on playing football.
And sometimes availability itself can be the first victory.
Dykes knows there are no guarantees that another NRL opportunity will arrive.
But after everything rugby league has thrown at him, he’s healthy, he’s playing consistently, and most importantly, he’s still chasing it.
Matt Attard is a freelance rugby league writer, disability support worker and host of the Pack Mentality podcast. A lifelong Bulldogs supporter, he is passionate about telling the stories behind the game, from grassroots to the NRL, while championing mental health and the people who make rugby league special. You can read all of his content here and contact him on LinkedIn.
