Canterbury are targeting a 16-year-old from the Sharks as their future fullback and replacement to Matt Dufty.
Cronulla Harold Matthews captain Chevy Stewart is in the final stages of negotiations to sign with the Bulldogs, who are going all-in on poaching the rising star.
The talented Kurnell Stingrays junior’s bid to secure his future comes amid a tumultuous fortnight that included the gifted fullback being sent-off in the Sharks’ Harold Matthews Cup grand final loss to Western Suburbs for dissent.
A dangerous ballrunner, Stewart won the Harold Matthews Cup Coaches award in 2020.
The Sharks have been eager to retain Stewart, while he has also been courted by the Raiders.
But it’s the Bulldogs, with a less-congested pathway to the NRL, that is swaying Stewart towards moving to Belmore.
The Raiders boast Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Xavier Savage and Sam Gash within their fullback structure while the Sharks have fullback Will Kennedy, City under-18s and 2020 Harold Matthews captain Siteni Taukamo and Kade Dykes waiting in the wings.
Having developed Stewart through their elite junior system, Cronulla were hoping the teenager would continue his path towards the NRL in the Shire.