Bulldogs veteran: Splashing cash at marquee signings just a stopgap
A Canterbury veteran believes the struggling club should prioritise the development of players rather than chasing marquee signings like Jake and Tom Trbojevic.
They sit last on the NRL ladder but Canterbury prop Aiden Tolman has warned the Bulldogs against going after marquee signings like the Trbojevic brothers.
Tolman, who plays his 250th top-flight game against Cronulla on at ANZ Stadium on Sunday, says the wooden spoon favourites should prioritise the development of players already at the club.
The Daily Telegraph reported this month that Canterbury have an $8.5 million war chest to build a roster from season 2021 with only six players from the current top 30 — Corey Harawira-Naera, Christian Crichton, Nick Meaney, Ofahiki Ogden, Jayden Okunbor and Dylan Napa - signed beyond 2020.
It was reported Sydney Roosters superstar Latrell Mitchell was one target and more recently Manly duo Tom and Jake Trbojevic have been identified as potential recruits for the Bulldogs.
While Tolman conceded the signings of the Trbojevic brothers would be an “asset” and could help attract others to Belmore, the 30-year-old urged management to look closer to home.
“Just because they have a lot of money to spend why can’t it be on developing players here and the players currently here at the moment. Obviously, we do need to try and buy some quality players and bring them to the club but we’ve got quality players here as well,” Tolman said.
“I think if you can land marquee players, it does attract other players, that’s part of the game but you can’t just go out and buy your whole team.”
Canterbury’s roster has been in a state of flux since the sacking of former coach Des Hasler and the removal of the Ray Dib-led board in late 2017. Players like James Graham, Josh Reynolds, Moses Mbye and David Klemmer have either been let go or released from their contracts to join rival teams.
But Tolman believes the recent signings of Penrith flyer Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and Melbourne forward Joe Stimson showed the club still has the potential to pick-up quality recruits.
Skipper Josh Jackson admitted the uncertainty around the futures of players at Belmore could grow into a distraction for the Bulldogs who sit two points last behind Gold Coast.
“It’s probably in the back of a lot of guys minds who are off contract but that’s the nature of the sport. That’s just the way it is. If everyone goes out there and puts in good performances then that sort of stuff looks after itself,” Jackson said.
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