NRL market watch: Jacob Kiraz weighs up deal with Bulldogs after being rejected twice by the club

Exciting centre Jacob Kiraz had given up on his dream to play for the Bulldogs after the club he loved knocked him back twice, but now he has a big decision to make on his future.

Matt Moylan’s (R) contract talks have stalled. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty

Jacob Kiraz had given up on his dream of playing NRL for the Bulldogs.

“I have always thought that if I worked hard enough I would get to the NRL,” Kiraz said.

“But I didn’t think it would be with the Bulldogs. They never wanted me.”

In his first interview since storming onto the NRL scene with a showstopper against the Broncos in round 7, Kiraz, 20, revealed that his local club knocked him back not once but twice. The first blow came when he failed to make the Bulldogs Harold Matthews side.

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“I just didn’t get picked,” Kiraz said.

“I didn’t even bother trailing for anyone else because I was sure I would be picked. I don’t know why because I thought I was good enough to make it.

Canterbury rookie Jacob Kiraz has fielded plenty of interest from rival clubs after making his debut against Brisbane. Picture: NRL Images

“It was disappointing and I got a bit angry but I decided I would just work harder and make them pick me for the next team.”

But Kiraz did not make that team either. Despite being bigger, faster, and stronger, the young five-eighth was told he was not good enough to play SG Ball for the Bulldogs.

It was a heartbreaking blow for a lifelong Canterbury fan who had dreamt of emulating the feats of Hazem El Masri.

“I was a massive Bulldogs fan,” Kiraz said.

🗣 "It was a good experience, I won't forget it." — Jacob Kiraz pic.twitter.com/IgbrcNoMWl

— Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs (@NRL_Bulldogs) April 23, 2022

“I went to all the games. I loved them and that made me want to play footy even more. My family are all Doggies fans too. And of course Hazem was one of the favourite players. He was Lebanese and a great player so obviously he became an inspiration.

“I was only born in 2001 so I can’t remember much of him playing now but what he did was legendary in the family. They always talked about 2004 and the try he scored to help them win the premiership.

“So yeah, I thought it was a massive deal when I wasn’t picked.

“I took it hard. As a young kid you think you have to make all these teams to make the NRL.

But Kiraz did not give up on his NRL dream.

“My family encouraged me and told me that it didn’t matter,” Kiraz said.

“That it was just a setback. I was actually told that Josh Mansour never got picked for any representative sides. He was a St Johns junior like me and an NRL star so that gave me some motivation.”

Kiraz was given his shot when both the Dragons and the Roosters saw something in him that the Bulldogs did not.

Jacob Kiraz has been a lifelong Bulldogs fan.

“I got picked in both the Dragons and Roosters SG Ball when I was 17 but I decided to play for the Dragons,” Kiraz said.

“And I am glad I did because they ended up switching me from a five-eigth to a centre and that’s when it all took off. It all kicked off from there.”

Kiraz’s dream of playing in the NRL was one step closer to becoming a reality when the Cowboys offered him a three-year deal.

“It was a great deal,” Kiraz said. “I was guaranteed a top 30 spot in the final year. I went up there really excited but that is when Covid kicked off.”

Kiraz was released from his deal to return home when the competition he was set to play in was cancelled. The Knights were quick to snap him up but that did not work out either.

“I actually walked away from a guaranteed full-time deal at the end of last year to take up a trial and train opportunity with the Bulldogs,” Kiraz said.

Jacob Kiraz was strong against the Broncos in his NRL debut. Picture: NRL Images

“I really didn’t think I would get an opportunity at the Knights so I came back to give it a shot.”

Fast forward six months and Kiraz has been offered a full-time deal with the club that rejected him twice after he starred for Canterbury after being plucked from obscurity to play for a Covid-hit Bulldogs team.

“Yeah, it is a bit surreal,” Kiraz said. “But I am in no rush to sign the deal. I just want to be patient and make sure I make the right decision.”

Kiraz’s manager Chris Haddad said his client would have to weigh up interest from other clubs with at least four rivals reported to be chasing the young centre.

Broncos lurking as Sharks star’s deal stalls

-Dean Ritchie

Matt Moylan could be shopped to the Broncos if a deal cannot be reached with Cronulla.

Moylan, 30, wants to remain at Cronulla – and the Sharks want him retained – but talks are slow-moving and no offer has yet been lodged.

The Moylan camp is aware Brisbane requires a first-class five-eighth and those close to the former Australian and NSW champion believe a shift to Queensland would work should he split from the Sharks.

Moylan hopes Cronulla will offer a two-year extension but his manager, Allan Gainey, is also aware of increasing interest in his client.

And sources close to the Broncos anticipate Moylan could be shopped to Brisbane should Cronulla’s proposed deal fall through.

Matt Moylan’s (R) contract talks have stalled. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty

Moylan, 30, has already established a partnership with Broncos halfback Adam Reynolds, the pair having played together in the NSW side during 2016.

Broncos coach Kevin Walters will monitor Moylan’s performance on Thursday evening at Suncorp Stadium.

It should be noted though that Brisbane hasn’t made a move for Moylan, who comes off contract after this season.

But the Broncos can expect a call about Moylan should his marriage with Cronulla end.

Gainey has held preliminary contract discussions with Sharks general manager of football, Darren Mooney.

Rival clubs are aware Cronulla hasn’t locked Moylan away and are starting to talk internally about the possibility of a contract offer.

Brisbane has already tried three five-eighths this season - Tyson Gamble, Albert Kelly and Billy Walters.

Moylan signed a one-year extension after 2021 after a modest season but his form this season has been sparkling.

“Matt is the talk of the town in Cronulla about how well he is going,” Gainey said. “I believe the club would definitely want to keep him now that he is back to his best form.

“We’re hopeful they will front up with a two-year offer in the foreseeable future otherwise I’m sure there would be other interest in Matt, because of his experience.”

Adam Reynolds (L) and Matt Moylan (R) were Blues halves partners. Picture: Matt King/Getty

Gainey would not comment on his client’s link to Brisbane.

There has also been speculation Moylan could land at the Dolphins if Cronulla’s interest wanes. Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett is a known Moylan fan.

The Dolphins are expected to have several frontline halves for their debut season including Anthony Milford and possibly Penrith’s Sean O’Sullivan.

Like Bennett, Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon is a known supporter of Moylan. A series of injuries have restricted Moylan in recent years but he looks fit, fresh and focused this year.

Moylan started the season playing number six with new recruit Nicho Hynes becoming the club’s key playmaker from halfback.