Bulldogs in mega move for Chris Lawrence

[Freakzilla]

said Joel Monaghan

Lolllllllllllllll

 

[Mitch Connor]

Wests Tigers don't deserve to lose Lawrence imo. He's all class.

 

[EXPLORER]

Life after JI

THE BULLDOGS have started planning for life after Jamal Idris by circling off-contract centres Chris Lawrence and Shaun Kenny-Dowall.
The Sunday Telegraph can reveal that the Canterbury Bulldogs have sounded out Lawrence and will make a $350,000 play for the Test centre should Idris take up a $1 million offer to join the Nathan Tinkler-backed Knights.

The Belmore-based club has also expressed interest in Kenny-Dowall, who has five clubs trying to snatch him away from the Roosters.

With the season kick-off just 12 days away, the game's hottest off-contract players are worth a combined $4.5 million.

The Sunday Telegraph has spoken to players, managers and coaches and we can reveal where some of the biggest stars in the game will be next year.


Start of sidebar. Skip to end of sidebar.
.End of sidebar. Return to start of sidebar.

* DARREN LOCKYER

The Brisbane captain will sign a new one-year deal with the Broncos provided his body holds up.

The Test skipper has told those close to him that he would like to play one more year before beginning a coaching apprenticeship.

He will remain the Broncos' highest-paid player.

* TOM LEAROYD-LAHRS

THE NSW Origin giant could command as much as $450,000 a year from rival clubs, but he is negotiating to stay in Canberra.

Learoyd-Lahrs has told his manager he wants to stay but several clubs are circling, including the Storm and the Titans. Despite reports linking him to Newcastle, the Knights have not expressed any interest in the 120kg prop.

* MATT COOPER

A veteran at 32, Cooper is on the verge of signing a new two-year deal with the Dragons.

One of the best defensive centres in the game, Cooper is in great shape and will still command top dollar.

* DARIUS BOYD

One of the break-out players of 2010, he is odds on to leave St George Illawarra at the end of the year.

Wayne Bennett has described the No. 1 as his new Darren Locker and will take Boyd to his new club.

* MICHAEL ENNIS

Is considered a future captain of the Bulldogs and could command up to $350,000 on the open market. But he would have to sign on for less to remain with the Bulldogs.

Ennis won't be returning to the Knights, with the club set to re-sign hooker Isaac De Gois for next season.

* GREG BIRD

On a year-to-year deal with the Titans, Bird will remain on the Gold Coast unless he receives an offer above $400,000 a year.

Newcastle and Cronulla are keen to talk turkey with Bird but may not want to fork out that much cash.

* COOPER CRONK

He has a get-out clause in his contract and would become one of the most sought-after players on the market if he decided to exercise it.

Cronk is close to Parramatta coach Stephen Kearney and the Eels are really desperate for a quality half, although Jeff Robson is close to signing a new deal.

* BRONSON HARRISON

Underrated by most, but not the men who matter. A ball-playing back-rower who can also play centre, Harrison is being hunted by Parramatta.

* JUSTIN HODGES

Considered to be a $400,000 player at his best. Several clubs, including Brisbane, will have to wait to see how he recovers from an achilles tendon injury before making a play.

 

[MAL75E]

i would go for SKD anyday of the week

 

[XR6T]

THE BULLDOGS have started planning for life after Jamal Idris by circling off-contract centres Chris Lawrence and Shaun Kenny-Dowall.
The Sunday Telegraph can reveal that the Canterbury Bulldogs have sounded out Lawrence and will make a $350,000 play for the Test centre should Idris take up a $1 million offer to join the Nathan Tinkler-backed Knights.

The Belmore-based club has also expressed interest in Kenny-Dowall, who has five clubs trying to snatch him away from the Roosters.

With the season kick-off just 12 days away, the game's hottest off-contract players are worth a combined $4.5 million.

The Sunday Telegraph has spoken to players, managers and coaches and we can reveal where some of the biggest stars in the game will be next year.


Start of sidebar. Skip to end of sidebar.
.End of sidebar. Return to start of sidebar.

* DARREN LOCKYER

The Brisbane captain will sign a new one-year deal with the Broncos provided his body holds up.

The Test skipper has told those close to him that he would like to play one more year before beginning a coaching apprenticeship.

He will remain the Broncos' highest-paid player.

* TOM LEAROYD-LAHRS

THE NSW Origin giant could command as much as $450,000 a year from rival clubs, but he is negotiating to stay in Canberra.

Learoyd-Lahrs has told his manager he wants to stay but several clubs are circling, including the Storm and the Titans. Despite reports linking him to Newcastle, the Knights have not expressed any interest in the 120kg prop.

* MATT COOPER

A veteran at 32, Cooper is on the verge of signing a new two-year deal with the Dragons.

One of the best defensive centres in the game, Cooper is in great shape and will still command top dollar.

* DARIUS BOYD

One of the break-out players of 2010, he is odds on to leave St George Illawarra at the end of the year.

Wayne Bennett has described the No. 1 as his new Darren Locker and will take Boyd to his new club.

* MICHAEL ENNIS

Is considered a future captain of the Bulldogs and could command up to $350,000 on the open market. But he would have to sign on for less to remain with the Bulldogs.

Ennis won't be returning to the Knights, with the club set to re-sign hooker Isaac De Gois for next season.

* GREG BIRD

On a year-to-year deal with the Titans, Bird will remain on the Gold Coast unless he receives an offer above $400,000 a year.

Newcastle and Cronulla are keen to talk turkey with Bird but may not want to fork out that much cash.

* COOPER CRONK

He has a get-out clause in his contract and would become one of the most sought-after players on the market if he decided to exercise it.

Cronk is close to Parramatta coach Stephen Kearney and the Eels are really desperate for a quality half, although Jeff Robson is close to signing a new deal.

* BRONSON HARRISON

Underrated by most, but not the men who matter. A ball-playing back-rower who can also play centre, Harrison is being hunted by Parramatta.

* JUSTIN HODGES

Considered to be a $400,000 player at his best. Several clubs, including Brisbane, will have to wait to see how he recovers from an achilles tendon injury before making a play.

We're making a $350,000 offer to Chris Lawrence, but can't afford Jamal idris at $350,000...... how the **** does that work?
Knowing what Jamal brings to the team off the field, this doesn't make sense!!

 

[Abdul..]

There is a thread on this with 2 pages of discussion.

 

[XR6T]

There is a thread on this with 2 pages of discussion.

Where.... I can't find it.

 

[Abdul..]

It's dead set gone into cyber. I posted on it last night and this morning.

 

[Abdul..]

Bump and merge with Life without JI thread.

 

[Ghost of Dime]

We're making a $350,000 offer to Chris Lawrence, but can't afford Jamal idris at $350,000...... how the **** does that work?
Knowing what Jamal brings to the team off the field, this doesn't make sense!!

maybe it's a case of the money being there, but the recruitment/retention team don't see him as being worth $350k? Understandable.

 

[chipandchase]

maybe it's a case of the money being there, but the recruitment/retention team don't see him as being worth $350k? Understandable.

i can only assume that he is asking for more than $350k, which he is not worth it at this stage of his career

 

[Slippery]

At current level of ability, Idris is worth no more than 180-200K.

 

[chipandchase]

At current level of ability, Idris is worth no more than 180-200K.

i think he is worth more than that, he brings a certain "image" to the team as well from a marketing point of view. the dogs market him to the younger generation of supporters
he can centre as well as second row and is a raw talent. he needs ,i think to establish himself and then next contract if he continues to improve, he will be on mega money.

 

[Slippery]

i think he is worth more than that, he brings a certain "image" to the team as well from a marketing point of view. the dogs market him to the younger generation of supporters
he can centre as well as second row and is a raw talent. he needs ,i think to establish himself and then next contract if he continues to improve, he will be on mega money.

Yes, he does bring a certain level of brand equity, although on playing ability alone I'd say he is within that bracket.

 

[polecat]

Before you go off half cock Mr Invisible look who wrote the article

Its from a journo at DT that has cred

phelps.....surely you jest?

 

[polecat]

said Joel Monaghan

lol

 

[sirpartyman]

skd for me

 

[Ghost of Dime]

At current level of ability, Idris is worth no more than 180-200K.

as a player, $150k for mine. Marketing value to me easily worth $50-$100k, there's no doubt he's an addition to the Bulldogs brand. That still tops out his value at $250k imo, anything else is overs better spent on a replacement for him.

 

[Jigga]

imo lawrence is a brilliant player and at the moment a better player than idris, but idris has alot of up side to his game. I would love to see idris stay but if he was to go lawrence would more than adequately take his place, lets remember lawrence is 21 has also a lot of upside to his game and can play centre ,lock and gus has toted him as a 5/8, he has also played state of origin and i'm not sure but i think he may have played for the kangaroos? will it happen? who knows, is it a beat up? probably he is the future of the tigers.........so interesting times ahead

 

[bullpup71]

why not get all 3