Revealed: Bulldogs draw up hit list to cover injured star Kieran Foran
Kieran Foran’s injury has left Canterbury short on experienced halves so the club is keen to bring in a senior playmaker for the 2020 NRL season.
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Canterbury will not be in a position to make a late play for England-bound Aidan Sezer to replace the injured Kieran Foran.
But other Aussies currently playing Super League have emerged as potential targets.
The Daily Telegraph understands that while Sezer’s name came up in discussions this week the Bulldogs won’t be able to act in time to stop the Raiders half taking up a lucrative three-year deal at Huddersfield, worth more than $500,000 a season.
Sezer’s Canberra halves partner Sam Williams has been discussed as another possible option but it would be unlikely the Raiders would consider releasing him given Williams only just signed a new deal.
Other names being thrown at the Dogs in recent days include Josh Drinkwater (currently at Catalans) and former Bulldog Matt Frawley (at Huddersfield).
Jackson Hastings was another name mentioned but the recently crowned Man of Steel has committed to Wigan.
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The Bulldogs already have Lachy Lewis and Jack Cogger as their first-choice halves pairing going forward, while youngster Brandon Wakeham has showed enormous promise.
But losing Foran has left them short on experience, and for that reason the club is considering bringing in a more senior playmaker.
One thing the club doesn’t want to do is rush into any decision that could impact the salary cap long term.
The Bulldogs are still coming to grips with the enormity of what Foran’s injury means on several fronts.
While the club will ultimately receive a salary cap exemption of up to $350,000, it is no guarantee they will get any compensation given Foran has had previous shoulder injuries.
The way the system works it is the club that foots the bill even though this latest injury occurred while Foran was away representing New Zealand.
In Foran’s case it is potentially an estimated setback of $1.5 million to the club’s bottom line, because not only do they pay Foran’s reported $1.2 million salary in full but his absence could require contract upgrades for other players or potentially paying an outside reinforcement.
On top of that, the Bulldogs still don’t know if they will be allowed to add an extra player to their 30-man roster for next season or play a man down for the majority of the season.
It again highlights why NRL clubs can be reluctant to release players for rep duty.
While most people recognise the need to grow the international game, surely there has to be a fairer system when injury strikes.
Canberra went through similar problems in recent years with Josh Hodgson and Jordan Rapana who both suffered serious injuries while away representing England and New Zealand respectively.
In the wake of Hodgson’s injury the NRL brought in salary cap relief of up to $350,000 but because Rapana returned before round 13 the Raiders still didn’t qualify for it.
Given the majority of Test matches are now played post season, it just seems ridiculous that clubs are not also compensated when players are forced to miss pre-season.
Foran has already had one surgery and will be back under the knife at the end of the month before his recovery starts.
At best he could be back for the last month of next season but the maximum relief is still only $350,000.
NEW SPONSOR FOR DOGS
In some good news for the Bulldogs, James Phelps reports that the club has caught a break and is set to announce a brand-new sponsor for season 2020 with Hitachi Cooling & Heating coming on as short sponsor.
“Hitachi Cooling & Heating are proud to partner with the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs,’’ said Temperzone/Hitachi Cooling & Heating Group Brand Manager Damien Walsh.
“We were really impressed with the level of community support the club provides and we look forward to a great partnership ahead.”
Bulldogs Chief Executive Andrew Hill confirmed the new deal.
“It is important for the Bulldogs as a club to be able to partner with strong and successful brands,’’ Hill said.
“And those that understand the importance of community. Hitachi Cooling & Heating are a leader in their field and share the same aspirations as the Bulldogs in regard to setting high standards. We greatly appreciate their support and look forward to a successful partnership ahead.”