Forgotten Bulldog Rhyse Martin won’t look to rush out of the Belmore kennel despite being overlooked by Canterbury coach Dean Pay.
Martin’s manager Sam Ayoub told foxsports.com.au there is interest from other NRL clubs, but he won’t begin entertaining any options for “another six or seven rounds (of the season)”.
Ayoub says it would be “insanity” to begin contract negotiations after one game of the season, and merely because his client was not selected in first grade.
His comments come after league legend Mark Geyer warned rival clubs will begin sniffing around the talented forward if the Bulldogs continue to give him the cold shoulder.
Geyer suggested both the Dragons and Eels could use the player’s services immediately.
Martin and Ayoub had to fight for a new deal last year when it looked like Canterbury’s salary cap squeeze was going to force the Papua New Guinea World Cup representative out.
The Bulldogs eventually secured Martin on a one-year deal, but he remains off contract this year and is free to negotiate with rivals.
The agile backrower - who became a cult hero of sorts after making his NRL debut last year - has been left out of Pay’s side for the opening two rounds of the season.
Pay hasn’t spoken about the omission and hasn’t returned phone calls from foxsports.com.au in recent weeks.
The snub of Martin has been a point of anger for blue and white fans, who have widely slammed the decision to snub the man many believed to be one of the club’s best players in 2018 despite only playing half the season.
He’s been overlooked for the likes of captain Josh Jackson, Raymond Faitala-Mariner, and recruit Corey Harawira-Naera. Last week Martin ran for more metres in reserve grade than every forward in the NRL side bar Aiden Tolman.
Pay has opted to run out an unchanged 17 in Round 2 despite being towelled up by the Warriors in a record Round 1 loss.
Ayoub also brushed off as “laughable” a report claiming Martin’s snub was a result of him returning to pre-season unfit, and getting offside with coaching staff.
The agent is confident Martin will be selected in the NRL side before too long, and is hoping they can then begin to negotiate a new deal
Martin’s manager Sam Ayoub told foxsports.com.au there is interest from other NRL clubs, but he won’t begin entertaining any options for “another six or seven rounds (of the season)”.
Ayoub says it would be “insanity” to begin contract negotiations after one game of the season, and merely because his client was not selected in first grade.
His comments come after league legend Mark Geyer warned rival clubs will begin sniffing around the talented forward if the Bulldogs continue to give him the cold shoulder.
Geyer suggested both the Dragons and Eels could use the player’s services immediately.
Martin and Ayoub had to fight for a new deal last year when it looked like Canterbury’s salary cap squeeze was going to force the Papua New Guinea World Cup representative out.
The Bulldogs eventually secured Martin on a one-year deal, but he remains off contract this year and is free to negotiate with rivals.
The agile backrower - who became a cult hero of sorts after making his NRL debut last year - has been left out of Pay’s side for the opening two rounds of the season.
Pay hasn’t spoken about the omission and hasn’t returned phone calls from foxsports.com.au in recent weeks.
The snub of Martin has been a point of anger for blue and white fans, who have widely slammed the decision to snub the man many believed to be one of the club’s best players in 2018 despite only playing half the season.
He’s been overlooked for the likes of captain Josh Jackson, Raymond Faitala-Mariner, and recruit Corey Harawira-Naera. Last week Martin ran for more metres in reserve grade than every forward in the NRL side bar Aiden Tolman.
Pay has opted to run out an unchanged 17 in Round 2 despite being towelled up by the Warriors in a record Round 1 loss.
Ayoub also brushed off as “laughable” a report claiming Martin’s snub was a result of him returning to pre-season unfit, and getting offside with coaching staff.
The agent is confident Martin will be selected in the NRL side before too long, and is hoping they can then begin to negotiate a new deal
