Canterbury are preparing to make a $2 million, three-year play for Dylan Napa for the upcoming season and then Wests Tigers hooker Jacob Liddle for the following one in a development that has piqued Wests Tigers’ interest in Damien Cook.
The Bulldogs are resigned to losing unsettled prop David Klemmer to Newcastle but won’t grant him a release until a suitable replacement is secured. The ‘family club’ has been linked to just about every front-rower in the game, contracted or otherwise, but Napa is at the top of their wishlist.
Complicating matters is the fact that Napa is signed to the Roosters until the end of 2019 and is enjoying an off-season break that includes an overseas trip. Napa is a valued member of the premiers and they are happy for him to remain at Bondi Junction. However, the tricolours are unlikely to stand in the Queensland prop’s way if he is able to secure a long-term deal that sets him up for life.
The Bulldogs and Roosters are hoping the situation will be resolved before Klemmer and Napa are due back for pre-season training.
Canterbury are also looking ahead to the following season and have identified Liddle as their long-term hooker. The Tigers have long considered Liddle the man to replace Robbie Farah as dummy half but a spate of serious injuries – and the return of Farah to the club after a stint at South Sydney – have prevented him from doing so.
The Tigers used a number of options at dummy half including Farah, Liddle, Pita Godinet, Josh Reynolds, Elijah Taylor and Matt McIlwrick during their 2018 campaign. Farah is expected to be their starting No.9 under new coach Michael Maguire in what will be the veteran playmaker’s last year at the club.
If the club loses both Liddle and Farah, they will be forced to go into the market for a new hooker. Fairfax Media can reveal NSW rake Damien Cook is on the Tigers’ radar. Cook has a good relationship with Maguire from their time together at Redfern and the Rabbitohs are yet to meet his asking price.
The 27-year-old is seeking $4 million over the next five years to remain a Rabbitoh. That figure takes into account the fact that he is on a relatively modest salary for next season given his status as representative star. Now that he has taken over the Kangaroos' No.9 jersey long held by Cameron Smith, Cook will test his value on the open market.
The Bulldogs are also deep in negotiations to retain Ofahiki Ogden on a new two-year deal. The back-rower made his NRL debut in 2018, making nine appearances in the blue and white.
https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/bu...le-sparks-chain-reaction-20181115-p50g8d.html
The Bulldogs are resigned to losing unsettled prop David Klemmer to Newcastle but won’t grant him a release until a suitable replacement is secured. The ‘family club’ has been linked to just about every front-rower in the game, contracted or otherwise, but Napa is at the top of their wishlist.
Complicating matters is the fact that Napa is signed to the Roosters until the end of 2019 and is enjoying an off-season break that includes an overseas trip. Napa is a valued member of the premiers and they are happy for him to remain at Bondi Junction. However, the tricolours are unlikely to stand in the Queensland prop’s way if he is able to secure a long-term deal that sets him up for life.
The Bulldogs and Roosters are hoping the situation will be resolved before Klemmer and Napa are due back for pre-season training.
Canterbury are also looking ahead to the following season and have identified Liddle as their long-term hooker. The Tigers have long considered Liddle the man to replace Robbie Farah as dummy half but a spate of serious injuries – and the return of Farah to the club after a stint at South Sydney – have prevented him from doing so.
The Tigers used a number of options at dummy half including Farah, Liddle, Pita Godinet, Josh Reynolds, Elijah Taylor and Matt McIlwrick during their 2018 campaign. Farah is expected to be their starting No.9 under new coach Michael Maguire in what will be the veteran playmaker’s last year at the club.
If the club loses both Liddle and Farah, they will be forced to go into the market for a new hooker. Fairfax Media can reveal NSW rake Damien Cook is on the Tigers’ radar. Cook has a good relationship with Maguire from their time together at Redfern and the Rabbitohs are yet to meet his asking price.
The 27-year-old is seeking $4 million over the next five years to remain a Rabbitoh. That figure takes into account the fact that he is on a relatively modest salary for next season given his status as representative star. Now that he has taken over the Kangaroos' No.9 jersey long held by Cameron Smith, Cook will test his value on the open market.
The Bulldogs are also deep in negotiations to retain Ofahiki Ogden on a new two-year deal. The back-rower made his NRL debut in 2018, making nine appearances in the blue and white.
https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/bu...le-sparks-chain-reaction-20181115-p50g8d.html
