Bulldog_4_Life
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You can coach – but don’t poach.
Penrith would grant Trent Barrett an early release to coach Canterbury but he would leave with a stern warning: Don’t try to take our young guns with you.
The second-placed Panthers have a stunning young side, including four gun halves, Barrett may be tempted to entice to Belmore, should he accepts the Bulldogs top job.
Bulldogs management is understood to be well advanced in discussions with Barrett on a likely three-year deal, although there are still senior figures at Penrith who believe Barrett will reject the Bulldogs.
Canterbury is yet to lodge a formal offer to Barrett with the club insisting there is still interest in other coaches.
Should Barrett decline, which is unlikely, the Bulldogs would then consider Anthony Griffin, Brett Kimmorley, Laurie Daley, Brad Fittler, Kevin Walters and England coach Shaun Wane. The left-field choice would be English rugby union coach, Eddie Jones.
Penrith would allow assistant coach Barrett out of his 2021 deal but don’t want him trying to pinch key players if he joins Canterbury.
Penrith is stacked with halves talent in Nathan Cleary, 22, Jarome Luai, 23, Matt Burton, 20, and Tyrone May, 24.
The Bulldogs have had the NRL’s worst attack over the past two seasons.
Trent Barrett has helped the Panthers surge into second spot on the NRL ladder this season. Picture: Brett Costello
The Daily Telegraph spoke to several well-placed sources at Penrith who want it known Barrett shouldn’t use his relationship with the young halves to lure any of them away from the Panthers.
Cleary is signed long-term, although Luai and Burton are off contract after next season while May’s deal ends after this year. Penrith does hope to lock him down shortly.
While aware Barrett would want to immediately involve himself in retention and recruitment at Canterbury when he signs, The Daily Telegraph has been told Penrith has no plans to stand him down from his assistant coaching role for the rest of this season.
Barrett has promised Penrith he would keep everyone updated on his negotiations with Canterbury.
The former Manly head coach was spotted in deep discussion with manager Wayne Beavis at a Woollahra coffee shop on Monday. No Bulldogs officials were at the meeting.