- Joined
- Aug 16, 2013
- Messages
- 1,214
- Reaction score
- 167
Tony Williams has played his best football at Canterbury in the past three weeks since returning from a stint in the NSW Cup, but the former Test forward still won't be at the club next season.
The Bulldogs had already told Williams he wasn't part of their plans when his lucrative contract expires at the end of this season, and he was weighing up a mid-season switch to another club when coach Des Hasler sent him packing to reserve grade.
Despite a strong showing over the past three weeks, the Bulldogs haven't budged on their position and won't be keeping him at the club unless they pick him up at a bargain price at the end of the season.
The former Parramatta and Manly wrecking ball spent six weeks out of the NRL side but has rediscovered his best form since returning as an impact player off the bench for the Bulldogs in round 14.
His return has also coincided with Canterbury's three-game winning streak, toppling St George Illawarra, Brisbane and the Roosters to cement their position inside the top eight as they approach the pointy end of the season.
Williams was linked with a mid-season switch back to his old club Manly, but the June 30 deadline has passed meaning he will see out the year at Belmore. It is believed St George Illawarra and the Wests Tigers had discussed making a play for Williams, however his value has only increased since returning from NSW Cup.
The 27-year-old was once considered one of the most destructive back-rowers in the game but has struggled to live up to the hype in a four-year stint at the Bulldogs believed to be worth about $600,000 a season.
Williams won't attract that type of money this time around, but he has managed to raise the interest of rival clubs with his efforts on the field over the past three weeks.
The Bulldogs have already based their plans around the assumption he won't be at the club next season given the priority shown to retaining Josh Jackson, David Klemmer and Greg Eastwood.
Eastwood, who hasn't played since round 12 because of injury, was close to playing in the win against the Sydney Roosters on Thursday night but is expected to return from his knee injury against the Wests Tigers next Saturday night.
The Bulldogs have won five of their past seven games, including two against the Roosters, with the return of Brett Morris providing five tries in his first two games of the season after missing the first 15 rounds because of a knee injury.
"It's our goal to try and play full strength this year, and we haven't done that this year," Hasler said. "We're slowly chipping away at getting everyone on the paddock. To think we still have a couple of players to come back is handy."
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...roved-form-20160702-gpx0s0.html#ixzz4DJ4KYyRn
Follow us: @smh on Twitter | sydneymorningherald on Facebook
The Bulldogs had already told Williams he wasn't part of their plans when his lucrative contract expires at the end of this season, and he was weighing up a mid-season switch to another club when coach Des Hasler sent him packing to reserve grade.
Despite a strong showing over the past three weeks, the Bulldogs haven't budged on their position and won't be keeping him at the club unless they pick him up at a bargain price at the end of the season.
The former Parramatta and Manly wrecking ball spent six weeks out of the NRL side but has rediscovered his best form since returning as an impact player off the bench for the Bulldogs in round 14.
His return has also coincided with Canterbury's three-game winning streak, toppling St George Illawarra, Brisbane and the Roosters to cement their position inside the top eight as they approach the pointy end of the season.
Williams was linked with a mid-season switch back to his old club Manly, but the June 30 deadline has passed meaning he will see out the year at Belmore. It is believed St George Illawarra and the Wests Tigers had discussed making a play for Williams, however his value has only increased since returning from NSW Cup.
The 27-year-old was once considered one of the most destructive back-rowers in the game but has struggled to live up to the hype in a four-year stint at the Bulldogs believed to be worth about $600,000 a season.
Williams won't attract that type of money this time around, but he has managed to raise the interest of rival clubs with his efforts on the field over the past three weeks.
The Bulldogs have already based their plans around the assumption he won't be at the club next season given the priority shown to retaining Josh Jackson, David Klemmer and Greg Eastwood.
Eastwood, who hasn't played since round 12 because of injury, was close to playing in the win against the Sydney Roosters on Thursday night but is expected to return from his knee injury against the Wests Tigers next Saturday night.
The Bulldogs have won five of their past seven games, including two against the Roosters, with the return of Brett Morris providing five tries in his first two games of the season after missing the first 15 rounds because of a knee injury.
"It's our goal to try and play full strength this year, and we haven't done that this year," Hasler said. "We're slowly chipping away at getting everyone on the paddock. To think we still have a couple of players to come back is handy."
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...roved-form-20160702-gpx0s0.html#ixzz4DJ4KYyRn
Follow us: @smh on Twitter | sydneymorningherald on Facebook
