Canterbury have locked down a piece of their playmaking puzzle, inking a new deal with young playmaker Brandon Wakeham - but where does it leave their pursuit of favourite son Josh Reynolds?
Canterbury have agreed to terms with rising playmaker Brandon Wakeham and the club is to announce his signature by the end of the week.
The rising playmaker, who was off-contract at the end of this year, will stay on at the Bulldogs until the end of 2022.
The retention of Wakeham, 21, hasn’t dented Josh Reynolds’ chances of coming back to Belmore in 2020 even though negotiations between the Bulldogs and the Wests Tigers have now become protracted.
Wakeham has been a retention target since before Bulldogs coach Dean Pay sounded out Reynolds for a potential homecoming.
It’s believed the sticking point between the two parties is how much of Reynolds’ salary each club is willing to pay. Reynolds is contracted to earn around $750,000 next season.
Like Reynolds, Wakeham is a Bulldogs local junior, and is currently in a three-way battle with Jack Cogger and Lachlan Lewis to partner Kieran Foran in the halves when the Bulldogs resume their season on Sunday May 31 against the Manly Sea Eagles.
Rising star Brandon Wakeham has cemented his spot ahead of fellow young playmakers. Picture: Brett Costello
Wakeham’s fresh signature indicates he has edged past Lewis and Cogger in the halves battle, especially after coach Dean Pay benched halfback Lewis was bench after 55 minutes into the clash against the North Queensland Cowboys in round two.
Foran, who has fully recovered from a shoulder injury suffered while playing for New Zealand last November, is expected to line-up in the no. 7 jumper in round three against his former side, the Sea Eagles.
The Kiwi international has so far passed all physical and contact work after returning to full training but needs a final approval from his specialist before he is given the green light to return to the field.
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