NRL news: Bulldogs sign Panthers half Matt Burton, target Josh Addo-Carr, Stephen Crichton
Canterbury’s impressive recruitment drive has continued, landing a rising Panthers star, now the Bulldogs must decide which speedster to go all in on for 2022.
David Riccio
November 25, 2020 - 4:42PM
News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom
A future NSW Origin star - or the Blues fastest man?
This is the enviable dilemma that suddenly confronts the Canterbury brains-trust who are deliberating over whether to pursue outstanding Penrith centre Stephen Crichton or NSW Origin and Storm flyer Josh Addo-Carr.
Although Canterbury can’t afford to sign both - how quickly things have changed at Belmore.
Just over 12-months after being frozen out of the transfer market by a lopsided salary cap, the Bulldogs are the club that every other rival is looking over their shoulder for.
The Dogs next step in their recruitment is to add legitimate speed and attacking strike to their backline and it’s Crichton or Addo-Carr who they want.
Crichton has told those close to him his preference is to extend his future beyond his current 2021 deal at Penrith - while the Dogs are of the belief that it could take as much as $700,000 a season to prize the Blues extended squad member out of his current home.
That size salary for a centre is elite-level money with Kiwi Test centre Joey Manu on an equivalent contract at the Roosters.
But the Bulldogs - like the rest of the code - know how much upside and talent Crichton has.
Which is why the Bulldogs are in the process of weighing up their financial capability to make a serious play for Crichton, or whether to continue chasing Addo-Carr, who toured the club‘s facilities this week.
Addo-Carr isn‘t available until the end of his current contract with the Storm at the end of 2021.
One thing is for certain, the Dogs are on a roll.
With money to spend and coach Trent Barrett promising a new way for Canterbury, the ‘Berries pulled off yet another major coup on Wednesday with the acquisition of talented Penrith half Matt Burton.
As first revealed by the Telegraph yesterday, Burton has penned a two-year deal from 2022 with an option in his favour for a third season.
Penrith were never a chance to match the Bulldogs and the Sharks offers - who also offered Burton a deal - of close to $620,000 a season.
Barrett‘s relationship with Burton, having worked together over the past 12-months at Penrith, was what knocked the Sharks out of the race.
Burton still has next season to run on his contract at Penrith, but it‘s almost certain that the 20-year-old and his management will request a release to join the Bulldogs immediately.
Penrith are adamant they won‘t be forthcoming with a release unless there is a suitable replacement or swap player offered.
Canterbury’s impressive recruitment drive has continued, landing a rising Panthers star, now the Bulldogs must decide which speedster to go all in on for 2022.
David Riccio
November 25, 2020 - 4:42PM
News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom
A future NSW Origin star - or the Blues fastest man?
This is the enviable dilemma that suddenly confronts the Canterbury brains-trust who are deliberating over whether to pursue outstanding Penrith centre Stephen Crichton or NSW Origin and Storm flyer Josh Addo-Carr.
Although Canterbury can’t afford to sign both - how quickly things have changed at Belmore.
Just over 12-months after being frozen out of the transfer market by a lopsided salary cap, the Bulldogs are the club that every other rival is looking over their shoulder for.
The Dogs next step in their recruitment is to add legitimate speed and attacking strike to their backline and it’s Crichton or Addo-Carr who they want.
Crichton has told those close to him his preference is to extend his future beyond his current 2021 deal at Penrith - while the Dogs are of the belief that it could take as much as $700,000 a season to prize the Blues extended squad member out of his current home.
That size salary for a centre is elite-level money with Kiwi Test centre Joey Manu on an equivalent contract at the Roosters.
But the Bulldogs - like the rest of the code - know how much upside and talent Crichton has.
Which is why the Bulldogs are in the process of weighing up their financial capability to make a serious play for Crichton, or whether to continue chasing Addo-Carr, who toured the club‘s facilities this week.
Addo-Carr isn‘t available until the end of his current contract with the Storm at the end of 2021.
One thing is for certain, the Dogs are on a roll.
With money to spend and coach Trent Barrett promising a new way for Canterbury, the ‘Berries pulled off yet another major coup on Wednesday with the acquisition of talented Penrith half Matt Burton.
As first revealed by the Telegraph yesterday, Burton has penned a two-year deal from 2022 with an option in his favour for a third season.
Penrith were never a chance to match the Bulldogs and the Sharks offers - who also offered Burton a deal - of close to $620,000 a season.
Barrett‘s relationship with Burton, having worked together over the past 12-months at Penrith, was what knocked the Sharks out of the race.
Burton still has next season to run on his contract at Penrith, but it‘s almost certain that the 20-year-old and his management will request a release to join the Bulldogs immediately.
Penrith are adamant they won‘t be forthcoming with a release unless there is a suitable replacement or swap player offered.
