Canterbury are expected to add another British Bulldog this time closing in on Canberra’s Ryan Sutton on a long-term deal as they continue to spend big on their forward pack.
It can be revealed that Sutton is close to accepting a three-year contract to join the Bulldogs from next season. He is the third high profile addition to the club already for 2023 - before a ball has been kicked this year - after their purchases of fellow forwards Reed Mahoney and Viliame Kikau.
Versatile forward Ryan Sutton is poised to take up a three-year deal with the Bulldogs. Picture: Matt Blyth/Getty Images
The 26-year-old will add to an already star-studded forward pack after being squeezed out of the Raiders because of salary cap constraints.
Sutton’s impending arrival may cast further doubt on fellow Englishman Luke Thompson’s stay at the club. Thompson is contracted until the end of 2023 but was linked with an early exit at the end of last season.
It could also mean the Bulldogs struggle to keep Paul Vaughan who signed a one year deal after being thrown a lifeline by Canterbury this year.
Sutton has played 58 games since joining the Raiders in 2019 and has become a vital cog in their squad having arrived from Wigan.
Sutton’s arrival could mean Paul Vaughan’s stay at the club is a brief one. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images
Throwing Mahoney, Kikau and Sutton into the forward pack totally reshapes the Bulldogs who already have Josh Jackson and Tevita Pangai Jr jnr contracted. They are hopeful backrower Raymond Faitala-Mariner makes a successful return from injury while there is a mutual option on Jack Hetherington’s services for next season.
POTENTIAL BULLDOGS 2023 STARTING FORWARD PACK
8 Jack Hetherington/Luke Thompson
9 Reed Mahoney
10 Ryan Sutton
11 Viliame Kikau
12 Tevita Pangai Jr
13 Josh Jackson
It can be revealed that Sutton is close to accepting a three-year contract to join the Bulldogs from next season. He is the third high profile addition to the club already for 2023 - before a ball has been kicked this year - after their purchases of fellow forwards Reed Mahoney and Viliame Kikau.
Versatile forward Ryan Sutton is poised to take up a three-year deal with the Bulldogs. Picture: Matt Blyth/Getty Images
The 26-year-old will add to an already star-studded forward pack after being squeezed out of the Raiders because of salary cap constraints.
Sutton’s impending arrival may cast further doubt on fellow Englishman Luke Thompson’s stay at the club. Thompson is contracted until the end of 2023 but was linked with an early exit at the end of last season.
It could also mean the Bulldogs struggle to keep Paul Vaughan who signed a one year deal after being thrown a lifeline by Canterbury this year.
Sutton has played 58 games since joining the Raiders in 2019 and has become a vital cog in their squad having arrived from Wigan.
Sutton’s arrival could mean Paul Vaughan’s stay at the club is a brief one. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images
Throwing Mahoney, Kikau and Sutton into the forward pack totally reshapes the Bulldogs who already have Josh Jackson and Tevita Pangai Jr jnr contracted. They are hopeful backrower Raymond Faitala-Mariner makes a successful return from injury while there is a mutual option on Jack Hetherington’s services for next season.
POTENTIAL BULLDOGS 2023 STARTING FORWARD PACK
8 Jack Hetherington/Luke Thompson
9 Reed Mahoney
10 Ryan Sutton
11 Viliame Kikau
12 Tevita Pangai Jr
13 Josh Jackson
