Raiders snubbed as $3.5 million forward leaves Knights

One of the biggest dominoes in the NRL player market has fallen with a star forward deciding on a move to a Sydney-based club.

Consider yourself warned, the Bulldogs are coming.

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Coming off a successful first season under new coach Cameron Ciraldo, the Bulldogs have made a major move on the market to signal their premiership intentions, securing the signature of prop Leo Thompson.

Code Sports and The Sydney Morning Herald reported the news on Thursday, with the deal said to be over four years and starting from 2026.

It is a significant blow for the Canberra Raiders, who looked to be in a strong position to land Thompson after offering him a four-year contract worth around $3.5 million according to the Herald.

Leo Thompson was very in-demand. NRL Photos.

However, Thompson is reported to have knocked back that offer to sign on for less with the Bulldogs, one of the NRL’s teams on the rise.

The Herald reported that the Bulldogs’ standings as a genuine premiership contender of the future swayed him towards signing with the Sydney club.

While the Knights reportedly were willing to increase their offer in a bid to keep Thompson, the Herald claims he told Newcastle officials he had concerns about his development at the club as well as its roster management.

According to the Herald, Thompson will forgo $200,000 in the form of an upgrade in 2025, which was conditional on him extending his stay in the Hunter.

Originally published as Raiders snubbed as $3.5 million forward leaves Knights