Tino activates free agent clause as Bulldogs lead NRL clubs in $1.1m pursuit

Tino Fa’asuamaleaui has activated the free agent clause in his contract with the Bulldogs leading a race to sign him for $1.1 million a season.

Tino Fa'asuamaleaui will test his value on the open market.

Tino Fa’asuamaleaui has activated the free agent clause in his contract with the Bulldogs leading a long line of clubs interested in luring the Origin star on potentially $1.1 million a season.

The front row enforcer had a clause in his contract that allowed him to negotiate with rivals if Justin Holbrook was sacked in a potential disaster repercussion for the Titans.

“Tino Fa’asuamaleaui has activated his free agent clause,” Yvonne Sampson said on Fox League after a report from The Courier Mail.

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“The Titans captain you would think would be able to name his price at any club that would be a great fit for him.

“This would be a monumental loss for the Titans, but they have the capacity to go to $1 million next year and then $1.1 million in 2025.

“Is that the sort of money that Fa’asuamaleaui is commanding?”

“Absolutely he is right at the top of the tree when you talking about middles,” Greg Alexander said.

“He is as good as they come, so that is the sort of money you would need to pay to either keep him or lure him away.”

Tino Fa'asuamaleaui will test his value on the open market.

Michael Ennis believes clubs will be lining up for a player of the calibre of the Titans captain and he could be the difference to turn a team into a title winning side.

“He went to the Titans on the back of some great potential that he showed at the Storm, but Melbourne at that stage were stacked and the Titans were in desperate need of a marquee forward,” Ennis said.

“And he has delivered in spades. I can absolutely understand why he is testing the open market.

“And I think every single club will try and find a way to fit Tino into their roster. He is that good. I have not seen Tino have a bad game.

“And every time he gets challenged he steps up. He thrives in the Origin arena. He is absolutely one of the elite.

“You look at sides when they win competitions and you look at their front row. Along with some of their decision makers it is one of the most important parts of winning premierships and he is one of the blokes that can elevate you to a premiership.”

Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo confirmed the Bulldogs would be interested in the Queensland prop.

“We are trying to build a squad and we have got salary cap space available for quality players,” Ciraldo said.

“I’m sure if Tino became available we might have those conversations, but at the moment we haven’t had those conversations.”

Originally published as Tino activates free agent clause as Bulldogs lead NRL clubs in $1.1m pursuit