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BRETT Morris could find himself in the Bulldogs’ No.1 jersey on a regular basis should Will Hopoate not have a change of heart about playing Sundays, and the club misses out on James Tedesco.
Hopoate trained at Belmore on Wednesday as he nears a return from the fractured eye socket he suffered in round two.
But Canterbury officials and Hopoate’s management are still to decide if he will make himself available on Sundays, which means Morris will spend a lot more time at fullback.
After Morris’ performance on Good Friday, most Bulldogs fans will be hoping coach Des Hasler sticks with him ahead of Hopoate even when he’s fit.
Hopoate has a clause included in his contract that allowed him to skip Sunday games for spiritual reasons.
It is understood Hopoate’s hopes of securing a new deal could be harmed if he persists with making Sundays off-limits.
Bulldogs veteran Brett Morris has been in strong form. Picture: Gregg Porteous
At the very least the Bulldogs would not be prepared to outlay top dollar for Hopoate if he was to miss up to half a dozen games out of a possible 24 in a regular season.
Had Hopoate been fit, he would have been forced to make a decision with the Dogs to play Wests Tigers this Sunday at ANZ Stadium.
Three more Sunday games await, including a round 11 blockbuster against the Sydney Roosters next month and Penrith in round 13.
Will Hopoate is close to making a comeback from injury. Picture: Phil Hillyard
“It’s one of those things where the first thing we’ve wanted is for Will to get back on the field after a fractured eye socket,’’ Canterbury CEO Raelene Castle told The Daily Telegraph.
“Then we will meet with Will’s management to have discussions about playing Sundays. There’s been no final determination as of yet.’’
In the meantime, Morris, who shifted to the wing when Hopoate arrived at the start of last year, has provided plenty at fullback the past fortnight in two games Canterbury have won.
And should Tedesco ignore a whopping deal to join the Bulldogs, Morris, 30, could be the fullback for the long haul. He is already signed for next season.
“I don’t know what my best position is, I’ve always been a firm believe in doing what’s best for the side,’’ Morris said on Wednesday.
“I’ve never cared where I’ve played.
“(Playing fullback) gives me more of a chance to be around the middle and sniff around our big boys. Obviously they’re good guys who get good go forward, and it gives me an opportunity to be around them, look for the offload, and help create quicker play-the-balls by me attracting other layers off them.
“I can also put myself in the position where I can get the ball and do a job for the team.’’
Morris said had he been a little younger and desperate to force his way into representative teams, he would have appreciated the luxury of focusing on a specialist position, but he was happy to lob where Des wanted.
Morris had a healthy respect for Tedesco, who was even easier to enjoy watching because he was a New South Welshman.
“He’s a representative player, a young star, it’s outstanding what he does for that Tigers side, and every time he gets the ball he’s a threat,’’ Morris said.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...s/news-story/c9316ad44d2363584017fb313bf86a86
Hopoate trained at Belmore on Wednesday as he nears a return from the fractured eye socket he suffered in round two.
But Canterbury officials and Hopoate’s management are still to decide if he will make himself available on Sundays, which means Morris will spend a lot more time at fullback.
After Morris’ performance on Good Friday, most Bulldogs fans will be hoping coach Des Hasler sticks with him ahead of Hopoate even when he’s fit.
Hopoate has a clause included in his contract that allowed him to skip Sunday games for spiritual reasons.
It is understood Hopoate’s hopes of securing a new deal could be harmed if he persists with making Sundays off-limits.
Bulldogs veteran Brett Morris has been in strong form. Picture: Gregg Porteous
At the very least the Bulldogs would not be prepared to outlay top dollar for Hopoate if he was to miss up to half a dozen games out of a possible 24 in a regular season.
Had Hopoate been fit, he would have been forced to make a decision with the Dogs to play Wests Tigers this Sunday at ANZ Stadium.
Three more Sunday games await, including a round 11 blockbuster against the Sydney Roosters next month and Penrith in round 13.
Will Hopoate is close to making a comeback from injury. Picture: Phil Hillyard
“It’s one of those things where the first thing we’ve wanted is for Will to get back on the field after a fractured eye socket,’’ Canterbury CEO Raelene Castle told The Daily Telegraph.
“Then we will meet with Will’s management to have discussions about playing Sundays. There’s been no final determination as of yet.’’
In the meantime, Morris, who shifted to the wing when Hopoate arrived at the start of last year, has provided plenty at fullback the past fortnight in two games Canterbury have won.
And should Tedesco ignore a whopping deal to join the Bulldogs, Morris, 30, could be the fullback for the long haul. He is already signed for next season.
“I don’t know what my best position is, I’ve always been a firm believe in doing what’s best for the side,’’ Morris said on Wednesday.
“I’ve never cared where I’ve played.
“(Playing fullback) gives me more of a chance to be around the middle and sniff around our big boys. Obviously they’re good guys who get good go forward, and it gives me an opportunity to be around them, look for the offload, and help create quicker play-the-balls by me attracting other layers off them.
“I can also put myself in the position where I can get the ball and do a job for the team.’’
Morris said had he been a little younger and desperate to force his way into representative teams, he would have appreciated the luxury of focusing on a specialist position, but he was happy to lob where Des wanted.
Morris had a healthy respect for Tedesco, who was even easier to enjoy watching because he was a New South Welshman.
“He’s a representative player, a young star, it’s outstanding what he does for that Tigers side, and every time he gets the ball he’s a threat,’’ Morris said.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...s/news-story/c9316ad44d2363584017fb313bf86a86