- Joined
- Oct 1, 2013
- Messages
- 17,736
- Reaction score
- 31,795
They must overcome heavy salary cap constraints but Canterbury is expected to shortly start discussions about whether to approach Newcastle halfback Mitchell Pearce.
The Bulldogs claim Pearce hasn’t yet been formally discussed but The Daily Telegraph has learned internal meetings within the next fortnight will debate the merits of trying to lure the champion halfback to Belmore.
Pearce, 32, has a contract at Newcastle for next year with Canterbury believing he could want to play in Sydney for 2023 and possibly 2024.
Leading NRL player agents have been discussing the Canterbury-Pearce link during the week.
Canterbury is expected to approach Newcastle champion Mitchell Pearce. Picture: Albert Perez/Getty Images)
New Canterbury general manager of football Phil Gould continues to reshape the club’s tight salary cap.
Gould has long held an enormous opinion of Pearce, who has played 19 matches for NSW.
At present, Canterbury doesn’t have the cap space for Pearce but the club is open to freeing up some cash by moving on players. Whether that’s enough to make a competitive offer for Pearce remains uncertain.
The Daily Telegraph reached out to senior Bulldogs officials on Thursday but the club denied interest in Pearce.
But other well-placed sources indicate there is definite curiosity in Pearce.
One player manager even suggested the Bulldogs would make a heavy play for Pearce in November when the former Roosters star officially comes into the open market.
Should Canterbury secure Pearce, it would rank among the biggest signings in the club’s recent history.
A potential roadblock could be Canterbury’ current playing roster which includes four halves – Kyle Flanagan, Lachlan Lewis, Brandon Wakeham and Jake Averillo – with Penrith’s Matt Burton to join the club from next season.
Matt Burton will join the Bulldogs next season. Picture: NRL Photos
Flanagan, Wakeham and Averillo are under contract for next season.
Pearce has created a new, happy life in Newcastle but wouldn’t be alarmed by a return to Sydney.
Luring Pearce for 2023 would complete a stunning Bulldogs’ buying spree which already includes Burton, Tevita Pangai, Brent Naden, Matt Dufty, Josh Addo Carr and Paul Vaughan for next season.
Given their halves depth is modest, Newcastle would not consider granting Pearce an early release for next year. The Knights also lost halves back-up Connor Watson to the Roosters this week.
The Daily Telegraph reported on Thursday that Bulldogs prop Luke Thompson had attracted interest from rival NRL clubs after his British manager failed to secure his client a new, long-term deal with the Bulldogs.
Thompson is earning $850,000 a season – a large chunk of the club’s salary cap.
The Daily Telegraph has been told Canterbury is right on its salary cap limit for next season.
While wanting him to complete his deal at Belmore, Canterbury would consider releasing Thompson early should he secure a long-term deal elsewhere.
The Bulldogs claim Pearce hasn’t yet been formally discussed but The Daily Telegraph has learned internal meetings within the next fortnight will debate the merits of trying to lure the champion halfback to Belmore.
Pearce, 32, has a contract at Newcastle for next year with Canterbury believing he could want to play in Sydney for 2023 and possibly 2024.
Leading NRL player agents have been discussing the Canterbury-Pearce link during the week.
Canterbury is expected to approach Newcastle champion Mitchell Pearce. Picture: Albert Perez/Getty Images)
New Canterbury general manager of football Phil Gould continues to reshape the club’s tight salary cap.
Gould has long held an enormous opinion of Pearce, who has played 19 matches for NSW.
At present, Canterbury doesn’t have the cap space for Pearce but the club is open to freeing up some cash by moving on players. Whether that’s enough to make a competitive offer for Pearce remains uncertain.
The Daily Telegraph reached out to senior Bulldogs officials on Thursday but the club denied interest in Pearce.
But other well-placed sources indicate there is definite curiosity in Pearce.
One player manager even suggested the Bulldogs would make a heavy play for Pearce in November when the former Roosters star officially comes into the open market.
Should Canterbury secure Pearce, it would rank among the biggest signings in the club’s recent history.
A potential roadblock could be Canterbury’ current playing roster which includes four halves – Kyle Flanagan, Lachlan Lewis, Brandon Wakeham and Jake Averillo – with Penrith’s Matt Burton to join the club from next season.
Matt Burton will join the Bulldogs next season. Picture: NRL Photos
Flanagan, Wakeham and Averillo are under contract for next season.
Pearce has created a new, happy life in Newcastle but wouldn’t be alarmed by a return to Sydney.
Luring Pearce for 2023 would complete a stunning Bulldogs’ buying spree which already includes Burton, Tevita Pangai, Brent Naden, Matt Dufty, Josh Addo Carr and Paul Vaughan for next season.
Given their halves depth is modest, Newcastle would not consider granting Pearce an early release for next year. The Knights also lost halves back-up Connor Watson to the Roosters this week.
The Daily Telegraph reported on Thursday that Bulldogs prop Luke Thompson had attracted interest from rival NRL clubs after his British manager failed to secure his client a new, long-term deal with the Bulldogs.
Thompson is earning $850,000 a season – a large chunk of the club’s salary cap.
The Daily Telegraph has been told Canterbury is right on its salary cap limit for next season.
While wanting him to complete his deal at Belmore, Canterbury would consider releasing Thompson early should he secure a long-term deal elsewhere.
