Bulldogs general manager of football Phil Gould has revealed the club is after a halfback and fullback in an admission that spells trouble for Kyle Flanagan’s future.
It comes after Canterbury-Bankstown was linked to Dragons halfback Ben Hunt this week, while a fresh report claims the club has also emerged as a contender for Cameron Munster.
Fox League’s James Hooper reported earlier in the week that the Bulldogs are watching the Hunt situation carefully and “poised to make a play if the opportunity presents”.
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That was confirmed by Gould on Sunday, who told The Sydney Morning Herald he met with Hunt and his manager earlier in the week.
“He is a very impressive person, but at no point did we talk about an offer or money,” Gould said.
“It was a conversation to get to know him. I simply said if things don’t work out we’d like to chat to him then.”
What is concerning for Flanagan’s future at the club though is a claim from The Herald that even if the Bulldogs cannot offload the young playmaker, they will simply look to bring someone in to take his spot anyway.
“We are after a halfback and a fullback,” Gould added.
“Ben Hunt is an obvious choice and he has a lot of the qualities a club looks for.”
What about a play for Munster?
Well, a report from The Herald on Sunday claimed a third party approached the Storm star on behalf of the Bulldogs to see whether a potential move to Belmore would be of interest.
There will be plenty of competition for Munster’s signature, with the Titans, Dolphins and Tigers all showing interest along with the five-eighth’s current club Melbourne.
ROOSTERS SIGN SOUTHS FLYER
The Roosters have pounced on a Rabbitohs winger ahead of the two sides’ grudge match next week.
The Daily Telegraph reported on Friday afternoon that the Roosters have signed Jaxson Paulo for next season on a two-year minimum wage deal.
The report adds it could work into the Roosters’ plans to move Joseph Suaalii closer to the ball next year, although how that would actually work is unknown given Luke Keary and Sam Walker’s current form.
James Tedesco is also highly unlikely to be shifted from fullback but Keary did tell the ‘Fox League Podcast’ that Suaalii is set to move into the centres at some point in his development.
Nonetheless, Paulo will offer much-needed depth with Kevin Naiqama departing the Roosters at the end of the year for the Super League.
KNIGHTS POUNCE ON ‘TRY-SCORING MACHINE’
It has been a year to forget for the Newcastle Knights but in positive news, an ex-NRL flyer is reportedly on his way to the Hunter in 2023.
The Daily Telegraph’s David Riccio revealed on SEN Radio that Bevan French is expected to sign a two-year deal with the Knights.
French will offer Newcastle a much-needed back-up option at fullback, with Tex Hoy off to the Super League next year.
The 26-year-old will of course also be pushing for a first-grade spot on the wing and will be hoping to continue his electric form, having ran in a record-breaking seven tries earlier this year in the Super League.
“Footy fans would know Bevan having spent his NRL career so far at Parramatta over to Wigan in the Super League,” Riccio said.
“Just a try-scoring machine. He’s an exciting player and a good pick-up for the Knights.”
SHARKS MAKE ‘KEY’ MOVE IN BID TO EXTEND BACK FIVE
Elsewhere, speaking of try-scoring wingers, the Cronulla Sharks have reportedly moved to extend one of their exciting outside backs.
All five members of Cronulla’s first-choice back five — Will Kennedy, Ronaldo Mulitalo, Jesse Ramien, Siosifa Talakai and Sione Katoa — are off-contract at the end of 2023.
Mulitalo looks to have secured another two years in the Shire though.
“I believe this is a key signing for the Sharks,” Riccio said on SEN Radio.
“He’s pushed out his future at the Sharks for another two seasons until 2025. That is an important signing and starts that process for the Sharks of trying to retain all of those back five players.”
