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CANTERBURY half Brett Kimmorley will play on with the Bulldogs in 2011.
Kimmorley will meet his manager today to nut out a one-year extension of his long and glittering career.
The Daily Telegraph understands Canterbury want him back and an announcement could be made within three weeks.
Kimmorley, 33, had a slow start to the season but his stats have picked up over recent weeks.
He has had 13 tackle busts this year, had 50 kicks for 1458 metres and an 82.6 per cent success rate with long kicks into space. He is averaging 20 tackles a game.
Kimmorley will tell his manager George Mimis today that he has the desire and fitness for one final season in the NRL - his 17th year in first grade.
Canterbury officials are also aware the star halfbacks of the NRL - aside from Johnathan Thurston - are locked up. The Bulldogs are adamant they are not chasing Thurston.
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"We have been in very close dialogue with the Bulldogs for some months about Noddy's role and his future," Mimis said.
"We haven't started the process yet of negotiation but that will kick off soon.
"I anticipate at our meeting that Brett will tell me he wants to go around again.
"And I anticipate the Bulldogs will be keen to have Noddy's experience on their roster beyond this season."
Retaining Kimmorley gives Canterbury another year to search for a long-term number seven after Daniel Mortimer decided to remain at Parramatta.
Canterbury chief executive Todd Greenberg said Kimmorley would essentially be allowed to make his own decision.
"If he thinks he can do it and his body is up for it, then that's great news," Greenberg said.
"He has the experience and standing in the game to make his own decision.
"Ultimately, he has earned that right.
"We will talk in the next few weeks.
"He has the longevity and the standing in the game.
"He will know what his body can take."
Meanwhile, the Bulldogs have confirmed an interest in young Melbourne prop Aiden Tolman.
Tolman is off contract with the Storm and wants to stay - but could attract big money by leaving.
Canterbury's interest in Tolman will increase sharply if homesick prop Ben Hannant opts to leave for a Queensland club.
"There is some interest there [in Tolman]," Greenberg said.
If the Bulldogs cannot find a suitable replacement for Hannant, he will be told to see out his contract until the end of 2012.
One Bulldogs source said: "It may not be in our best interests to let him go just because he is homesick."
Kimmorley will meet his manager today to nut out a one-year extension of his long and glittering career.
The Daily Telegraph understands Canterbury want him back and an announcement could be made within three weeks.
Kimmorley, 33, had a slow start to the season but his stats have picked up over recent weeks.
He has had 13 tackle busts this year, had 50 kicks for 1458 metres and an 82.6 per cent success rate with long kicks into space. He is averaging 20 tackles a game.
Kimmorley will tell his manager George Mimis today that he has the desire and fitness for one final season in the NRL - his 17th year in first grade.
Canterbury officials are also aware the star halfbacks of the NRL - aside from Johnathan Thurston - are locked up. The Bulldogs are adamant they are not chasing Thurston.
Start of sidebar. Skip to end of sidebar.
Related CoverageBulldogs : Legends give Ryan highest accolade
.End of sidebar. Return to start of sidebar.
"We have been in very close dialogue with the Bulldogs for some months about Noddy's role and his future," Mimis said.
"We haven't started the process yet of negotiation but that will kick off soon.
"I anticipate at our meeting that Brett will tell me he wants to go around again.
"And I anticipate the Bulldogs will be keen to have Noddy's experience on their roster beyond this season."
Retaining Kimmorley gives Canterbury another year to search for a long-term number seven after Daniel Mortimer decided to remain at Parramatta.
Canterbury chief executive Todd Greenberg said Kimmorley would essentially be allowed to make his own decision.
"If he thinks he can do it and his body is up for it, then that's great news," Greenberg said.
"He has the experience and standing in the game to make his own decision.
"Ultimately, he has earned that right.
"We will talk in the next few weeks.
"He has the longevity and the standing in the game.
"He will know what his body can take."
Meanwhile, the Bulldogs have confirmed an interest in young Melbourne prop Aiden Tolman.
Tolman is off contract with the Storm and wants to stay - but could attract big money by leaving.
Canterbury's interest in Tolman will increase sharply if homesick prop Ben Hannant opts to leave for a Queensland club.
"There is some interest there [in Tolman]," Greenberg said.
If the Bulldogs cannot find a suitable replacement for Hannant, he will be told to see out his contract until the end of 2012.
One Bulldogs source said: "It may not be in our best interests to let him go just because he is homesick."
