Des Hasler’s freshly-minted deal, along with that of every other NRL coach, is set to be included in a football department cap for next season. Time to start earning that cash.
The Bulldogs are ready to escalate their overhaul of the club’s roster, Hasler having been given not only a multi-million dollar contract but a mandate to take a broom to the Canterbury squad.
The wheels, as they say, are in motion. Wests Tigers pair Aaron Woods and James Tedesco will cost the best part of $2 million should the Bulldogs decide the pair fit the bill, money which represents nearly a quarter of the $8.84m salary cap the NRL tabled to the Rugby League Players Association in the past fortnight.
No one expects the cap to finish at that amount, but nor is it expected to skyrocket far beyond that point. Woods and Tedesco, the latter having also been identified by the Sydney Roosters as a potential target, represent a significant investment for a club which is in dire need of some fresh blood.
Hasler and the Bulldogs won’t have it all their own way. The Canterbury mentor may have his work cut out to get Tedesco across the line, particularly with the Roosters circling.
Bulldogs chair Ray Dib and his Roosters counterpart Nick Politis have a longstanding gentlemen’s agreement that they will not poach players from each other, but Tedesco doesn’t fall under the provisions of that détente.
Game on. Two of the most powerful figures in the sport are ready to go head-to-head for arguably the most coveted signature in the game. Tedesco is a game-changer. It’s arguable no player on the open market carries the same transformational qualities.
The assumption is that heads will have to roll at Canterbury to accommodate the changes. Will Hopoate, Michael Lichaa and Josh Reynolds are off contract and yet to receive fresh offers. Rumours continue to surround the futures of Sam Kasiano and Greg Eastwood.
Captain James Graham, despite conjecture to the contrary, is going nowhere.
The Bulldogs were also expected to pursue a half in the shape of Cooper Cronk or Kieran Foran, although the impressive form of Matt Frawley over the past fortnight may have given them cause for a rethink.
The Bulldogs aren’t the only club in the midst of change.
Cronulla centre Jack Bird is expected to make a decision on his future as early as today, with Brisbane firming as the club most likely if Bird is able to be prised from the Shire.
The NRL is yet to determine a salary cap for next season but clubs are throwing around money regardless. Players, too, are demanding unprecedented dollars.
Gold Coast hooker Nathan Peats rejected a two-year deal from the Titans worth more than $1 million. It wasn’t enough for someone who is yet to play for his state or country.
Mitchell Moses has already accepted a lucrative deal from Parramatta, the club his side Wests Tigers will meet on Easter Monday. Despite requesting an immediate release, Tigers officials have confirmed Moses will be named in their 21-man squad today, indicating he could play against the Eels this weekend and then play for them the week after if he persists with his push to depart Concord.
It’s a destabilising time for the code and its talent, prompting renewed debate over the merits of transfer windows and drafts.
Melbourne forward Jesse Bromwich, arguably the best front-rower in the game, was ruled out of the grand final rematch against Cronulla with a back injury and it barely caused a ripple.
The NRL are in the throes of finalising the mechanics of a football department cap which will limit the amount clubs can spend from next season, yet they have been unable to find a system for player movement which appeases everybody.
The sooner they do the better.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/spo...d/news-story/639f0f125659284b012b9c7b967619ec
