Connor Tracey’s
deal with Canterbury is set to be rubber stamped after the Sharks and Bulldogs agreed to swap a rising star.
It is understood the Sharks have identified Michael Gabrael as the player they want from Canterbury in order to grant Tracey an immediate release.
Gabrael is an outside back who was on a development deal with the Bulldogs in 2024 before being promoted into the club’s top-30 squad.
The Sharks gave Tracey permission to talk with rival clubs, despite having 12 months left on his deal, because they were unable to guarantee him a starting position since Will Kennedy made the fullback spot his own.
View attachment 96123
Connor Tracey is off to the Bulldogs. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images
Tracey told Cronulla he wanted to join the Bulldogs, despite
significant interest from St George Illawarra.
The utility back will now sign a three-year deal with the Bulldogs and join a totally revamped backline from next season.
The move will give the Sharks close to $500,000 in available salary cap space, as well as securing Gabrael, who has been touted as a future star. The Bulldogs snatched the young centre from Parramatta’s pathway system and were reluctant to let him go after he was part of their SG Ball team in 2023.
Canterbury’s head of football Phil Gould was enthusiastic about Gabrael’s re-signing on Twitter in January saying “good kid this one” along with a picture of the teenager.
He played for City under-18s earlier this year against Country and was also part of Canterbury’s SG Ball team.
Tracey’s release from the Sharks has emerged just over a week after the Sutherland Shire club let key playmaker Matt Moylan out of his contract with 12 months to run so he could take up a deal with Super League club Leigh.
View attachment 96124
The Sharks have picked up Bulldogs youngster Michael Gabrael. Picture: NRL Images
The release of the pair from the club’s top-30 roster has opened up salary cap space for Cronulla, who could suddenly be one of several clubs to raise interest in signing New Zealand Warriors prop Addin Fonua-Blake.
Fonua-Blake was
photographed meeting with Bulldogs head of football Phil Gould last week.
The move follows a similar path to the one the Sharks took last year with Lachie Miller. Cronulla traded the Knights for emerging prop Max Bradbury.
Tracey, 27, made his first grade debut for South Sydney in 2019 before becoming a regular starter at the Sharks in recent years. He played just 10 games this year after struggling to crack Cronulla’s back five.
View attachment 96125
Addin Fonua-Blake met with Phil Gould last week.
Tracey’s pursuit of the Bulldogs fullback spot will create immense competition for head coach Cameron Ciraldo. New recruits Blake Taaffe, Stephen Crichton, plus 2023 fullback, Hayze Perham, will also battle for the no. 1 jumper.
The Bulldogs have now added Crichton, Taaffe, Drew Hutchison, Josh Curran, Jake Turpin, Jaeman Salmon, Poasa Faamausili, Bronson Xerri and Kurt Mann.
The Sharks have also had talks with ex-Dragons forward Billy Burns about the back-rower joining on a second-tier contract.
Meanwhile, Nat Butcher has signed a three-year extension with the Sydney Roosters that will keep the back rower at the club until at least the end of the 2027 season.
