Josh Morris crosses from Bulldogs
Author
Dan Walsh
Mon 9 Jul 2018, 09:07 PM
Canterbury centre Josh Morris is the latest big name to depart Belmore as he prepares to take up a two-year deal with Cronulla from 2019.
NRL.com understands Morris will link with the Sharks from next season, having also met with Gold Coast coach Garth Brennan recently once it became clear that the Bulldogs' salary cap squeeze could see him exit the club.
Neither Canterbury or Cronulla have officially confirmed the move as of Tuesday night, however it's understood that Morris is viewed by Shane Flanagan as an experienced backline option with Edrick Lee, Jesse Ramien (Newcastle) and Ricky Leutele (Toronto Wolfpack) all exiting The Shire at the end of the year.
After arriving from junior club St George Illawarra in 2009, Morris has clocked up 208 games and exactly 100 tries for the Bulldogs, playing a key role in their charges to the 2012 and 2014 grand finals.
With Morris and his brother Brett both coming off-contract at the end of 2018, it is unclear where the latter's future lies, though the Sharks move for Josh ends any possibility of the pair continuing their careers together.
Josh, who turns 32 in August, will join ex-teammate Aaron Woods at Cronulla next year, with the Sharks also picking up the NSW and Test front-rower last week as a result of Canterbury's salary cap dramas.
As well as striking a couple of serious blows on the recruitment front, it's understood the Sharks are also close to announcing extensions for boom winger Sione Katoa and back-rower Jayson Bukuya.
