Super League clubs eyeing off-contract Bulldogs back-rower Rhyse Martin
WRITTEN BY TROY WHITTAKER
Canterbury have begun initial talks with Rhyse Martin about re-signing at the Bulldogs but the club faces competition from English Super League teams to keep the popular back-rower.
Leeds Rhinos, who were keen on Martin last season before he inked another one-year contract with Canterbury, are reportedly among those monitoring his situation closely.
While there has been little interest in the 26-year-old from rival NRL clubs right now, it's understood several Super League sides believe the skilful forward would perfectly suit the open style of play in the UK.
Having burst into the NRL towards the end of 2018, Martin was axed to reserve grade to begin this season before earning a recall to the top tier in round three.
His solid form in the matches since have convinced Canterbury to enter the first stages of negotiations with Martin, as The Australian's Brent Read revealed to Sporting News.
"The Dogs have actually stated preliminary talks with him, it's very early," Read said during his weekly Ready's Round-Up segment.
"He obviously signed that one-year deal last year when he had some offers from England, I think Leeds were sniffing around him. They've started talks about keeping him and extending him out. His manager's going to ask for top dollar obviously and that will probably dictate whether he signs an extension there. It's very early at the moment but the Dogs want to keep him and they've started talking to him."
Martin has previously said he would be willing to move to England and has considered offers from Super League clubs in the past.
"There was a fair bit of interest over in the Super League," he told The Daily Telegraph last July upon announcing his new deal with the Bulldogs.
"There was a few clubs over there. Leeds were one, they're a good club, if I had to make the move it would have been fine but another year here will do me a world of good."
The Cairns-born Papua New Guinean international, who is among the NRL's finest goal-kickers, will likely command significantly more money overseas where he could be considered a marquee player.
"I think there are some English clubs who'd love to get their hands on him because I think they see him as the sort of guy who might thrive over there," Reed said.
"As I mentioned, Leeds were one of those clubs and we've obviously heard the rumours about [ex-Panthers and Dragons prop] Trent Merrin ... There was talk Merrin wanted to come home, so maybe they can look at Rhyse Martin as a replacement for him."
If Martin chooses to remain in Australia, his options appear limited besides sticking around at Canterbury.
Even then, there are questions about whether coach Dean Pay views Martin as a long-term option.
"I'm not sure there are many NRL clubs chasing Rhyse Martin at the moment," Reed said.
"I think some of us [bought too much into the hype around Martin last year], not all of us. He started the year in reserve grade [and] he took a while to find his spot back in the team.
"Obviously Dean Pay's not convinced by him. He's been pretty good the last few weeks though and obviously if it gets to the point where they're talking to him about contracts, they must be reasonably pleased with how he's going. But I don't think it's a lay down misere that he'll be there next year."
