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Canterbury could be ready to make a play for the two latest British footballers ready to test themselves in the NRL, while they also closely monitor the contract situation around Brisbane powerhouse Tevita Pangai Jr.
St Helens and Great Britain prop Alex Walmsley and Wigan centre Oliver Gildart both want to play down under, despite the pair both remaining contracted to their current clubs.
Walmsley, who has a deal with Saints until the end of 2022, and Bulldogs enforcer Luke Thompson were the front-rowers which helped St Helens claim last year’s Super League grand final.
Canterbury spoke with 115kg, 196cm Walmsley last year but a deal couldn’t be reached, instead the club returned home with Thompson’s signature.
The Bulldogs would have money to spend should they elect against re-signing off-contract warhorse Aiden Tolman, while backrower Adam Elliott is also yet to re-signed.
Gildart, 23, is rated among the finest centres in Super League.
He has won two Super League grand finals and a World Club Challenge while also representing England and Great Britain.
Gildart, who has signed with leading Australian agent, Sam Ayoub, is under contract at Wigan until the end of next year but sources claim he has a get-out clause should he secure the NRL deal sources say he craves.
There is mutual respect between Gildart and Canterbury, who have a long and rich history when it comes to English players.
Some of the finest Poms to play at Belmore include Jonathan Davies, Brian Lockwood, Doug Laughton, Mick Adams, James Graham and Thompson.
There is no suggestion Walmsley and Gildart will definitely sign with Canterbury but there is interest from both parties.
Walmsley said recently: “The NRL is certainly something I’ve thought about and it’s something I’m open to but what I can say is, if I don’t do it now, I won’t ever do it.”
It is unknown whether the Bulldogs may enlist Thompson to help lure some further English players to Belmore.
Pangai Jr is under contract at Brisbane until the end of 2022 but close friends claim he is restless.
The Bulldogs have a private interest in Pangai Jr although no formal offer has been lodged. Certainly Canterbury would have the cash to make Pangai an extremely attractive offer.
Reports out of Sydney this week suggest Pangai Jr wants to leave Brisbane and contacted the Sydney Roosters in July asking whether there was interest in him.
Losing Pangai Jr after David Fifita quit for the Gold Coast would be a crippling blow to Brisbane and coach Anthony Seibold.
The Roosters weren’t overly keen although the Bulldogs would thrive on signing a strike forward like Pangai Jr. Souths have also looked at Pangai Jr but the club has already signed Gold Cast’s Jai Arrow.
St Helens and Great Britain prop Alex Walmsley and Wigan centre Oliver Gildart both want to play down under, despite the pair both remaining contracted to their current clubs.
Walmsley, who has a deal with Saints until the end of 2022, and Bulldogs enforcer Luke Thompson were the front-rowers which helped St Helens claim last year’s Super League grand final.
Canterbury spoke with 115kg, 196cm Walmsley last year but a deal couldn’t be reached, instead the club returned home with Thompson’s signature.
The Bulldogs would have money to spend should they elect against re-signing off-contract warhorse Aiden Tolman, while backrower Adam Elliott is also yet to re-signed.
Gildart, 23, is rated among the finest centres in Super League.
He has won two Super League grand finals and a World Club Challenge while also representing England and Great Britain.
Gildart, who has signed with leading Australian agent, Sam Ayoub, is under contract at Wigan until the end of next year but sources claim he has a get-out clause should he secure the NRL deal sources say he craves.
There is mutual respect between Gildart and Canterbury, who have a long and rich history when it comes to English players.
Some of the finest Poms to play at Belmore include Jonathan Davies, Brian Lockwood, Doug Laughton, Mick Adams, James Graham and Thompson.
There is no suggestion Walmsley and Gildart will definitely sign with Canterbury but there is interest from both parties.
Walmsley said recently: “The NRL is certainly something I’ve thought about and it’s something I’m open to but what I can say is, if I don’t do it now, I won’t ever do it.”
It is unknown whether the Bulldogs may enlist Thompson to help lure some further English players to Belmore.
Pangai Jr is under contract at Brisbane until the end of 2022 but close friends claim he is restless.
The Bulldogs have a private interest in Pangai Jr although no formal offer has been lodged. Certainly Canterbury would have the cash to make Pangai an extremely attractive offer.
Reports out of Sydney this week suggest Pangai Jr wants to leave Brisbane and contacted the Sydney Roosters in July asking whether there was interest in him.
Losing Pangai Jr after David Fifita quit for the Gold Coast would be a crippling blow to Brisbane and coach Anthony Seibold.
The Roosters weren’t overly keen although the Bulldogs would thrive on signing a strike forward like Pangai Jr. Souths have also looked at Pangai Jr but the club has already signed Gold Cast’s Jai Arrow.
