The first domino has fallen with the Bulldogs set to secure Raiders winger Nick Cotric on a multimillion-dollar deal.
Cotric is
expected to sign a three-year deal estimated to be worth $1.8 million after the Raiders pulled their own offer when he asked for more money.
The Bulldogs now have $2.4 million to play with and the 21-year old’s signature isn’t expected to be the only one they secure before next year.
The question now is - how important is this signing and where does the move leave both the Bulldogs and Raiders moving forward into 2020?
Here are the burning questions surrounding Cotric’s switch to Belmore.
1. Where will he play?
Along with the large pay packet, Cotric is also understood to have been keen on the Bulldogs move because of the chance to move into the centres. It would certainly make more sense given the amount of money they have spent to get him. But is it his best position? Reports suggest the Raiders were not willing to go over $500,000 a year for Cotric because they believe his best position is on the wing. Cotric played nine games in the centres last year for the Raiders. He averaged 0.2 tries, four tackle busts and 79 running metres a game. Given his stocky frame and agility, he could also deal with the extra defence needed on the edge. On the wing, on the other hand, he averaged 0.5 tries, five tackle breaks and 102 metres. His numbers were always going to be stronger on the wing given the added space and try-scoring opportunities present on the flank. So where does he fit into the team as it stands? The Bulldogs will likely persist with Will Hopoate at the back, which could then see Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and Nick Meaney on the wings. Reimis Smith and Cotric would then form the centre pairing to make up what is on paper an impressive back five. Christian Crichton and Kerrod Holland will likely miss out.
2. Did they pay too much money?
Cotric is reported to have signed on a monster deal worth around $1.8 million, which would see him earn $600,000 a year. That means he will take up around one-fifth of their $3 million war chest for next season. So, they still have plenty of money to play with but their back five is not as big an issue. Rather, it has been a lack of good ball from the halves and hooker that has stunted their attack. While it is all well and good to sign Cotric who is tackle-busting weapon, the Bulldogs need to make sure they still have enough money to sign a quality playmaker and number nine. The Dogs are reportedly
looking at offering Kieran Foran a one-year extension but on a 75 per cent pay cut, which would see his new deal valued at around $300-400,000. Staying on the field has been Foran’s only real issue during his time at Belmore. So far this season, he has six linebreak assists and three try assists. Lachlan Lewis, Brandon Wakeham and Jack Cogger — the three men vying for a spot alongside Foran — have combined for four try assists and four linebreak assists this year. Wakeham and Cogger are both off contract at the end of this season. All three though have failed to really stamp their authority on the vacant spot alongside Foran, so the Bulldogs will likely be in the market for another big-name signing in the spine. Unfortunately given their off-field results and coaching drama, the Bulldogs aren’t the most desirable location right now and they had to pay overs to convince Cotric to join.
3. Who else do the Bulldogs need to get the most out of Cotric?
On that note, signing Cotric alone won’t solve their problems and at that moment, he certainly won’t be able to shine in the current Bulldogs set-up. Cotric has made a name for himself at the Raiders as one of the best finishers in the game. Be it on the wing or in the centres, his sheer power and athleticism has seen him ice many tries for the Raiders. The passes won’t be as crisp at the Bulldogs though. Too often, their more inexperienced halves don’t get the execution right with passes either going to ground or sailing into the stands. While Cotric has a knack for scoring tries out of nowhere, the Bulldogs need to address their attack in the opposition 20 before believing he alone will fix their problems. Going to the market is one option with Jai Field, Benji Marshall and Blake Green just a few of the playmakers available. Jackson Hastings has also been linked to an NRL return next year and could provide a similar mix of creativity and passion to that Josh Reynolds provided during his time at the Bulldogs. Even if they don’t go to the open market, they need to prioritise nailing down Foran’s halves partner during the off-season rather than constantly chopping and changing the spine. There are plenty of experienced options available at hooker including Andrew McCullough, Jake Friend and Nathan Peats but the Bulldogs are building towards the future and need to invest in a long-term solution. Tom Starling, if he continues to impress like he did on Thursday night for Canberra, could be a smart buy given he could be desperate for an opportunity stuck behind Josh Hodgson and Siliva Havili. It will also be worth monitoring the situation at Melbourne around Harry Grant and Brandon Smith, as well as the impact that has on Jacob Liddle.
4. What does it mean for the Raiders?
Having already lost Joey Leilua and with Jordan Rapana currently only on contract until the end of the season, the loss of Cotric will leave the Raiders backline looking very different next year. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Jarrod Croker, Curtis Scott and Bailey Simonsson will likely all hold onto their positions. Michael Oldfield will also figure in the race for the vacant wing spot with is currently off-contract at the end of the year. The Raiders also have plenty of options to blood a few youngsters though who have impressed in the lower grades. Harley Smith-Shields was expected to be in the running for a debut this year and can play either on the wing or the centres. Semi Valemei also made his first NRL appearance in Thursday’s win over the Roosters and is highly rated. In short, the Raiders were smart to hold out at their $500,000-a-year price for Cotric given the depth of talent they have in the outside backs. The cash put aside for Cotric leaves them with $2.5 million to play around with. The more pressing gap to fill now is in the backrow with John Bateman set to depart at the end of the year. The Raiders will have some cash to throw around too and
have been linked to Corey Harawira-Naera, who runs strong lines and could perform a similar role to Bateman. While the Bulldogs have taken Cotric away, the Raiders could get revenge by stealing Harawira-Naera who would go to another level alongside Jack Wighton and George Williams.
5. Will other dominoes start falling now that Cotric has committed?
While the Bulldogs have plenty of money to throw around, it was always going to be a tough ask to convince rival players to join the struggling club given their poor results in recent years. But Cotric’s signing could convince other players that while there may not be immediate success, the Bulldogs are heading on the right path. With a strong forward pack and back five, it is only really a mix-up in the spine that they need to start seeing on-field success again. While there are still board-level dramas, it is unlikely that it would be too big a concern for a recruit. By securing Cotric’s signature, the Bulldogs are sending a message that they are ready to start putting big money towards a brighter future. The only issues they will need to address is the uncertainty around their coach for 2020 and what the spine will look like moving forward. Once they achieve this, they will be able to present a clear idea of what the club will look like moving forward to potential recruits. Souths flyer Alex Johnston is understood to be eyeing a move to another club in Sydney with the Bulldogs the frontrunners for his signature. Josh Addo-Carr was also a target but it is looking more like he may end up at the Rabbitohs.
