Bargain performer Matt Frawley kickstarts talks to stay at Bulldogs

HE has been the bargain performer of the season, now Bulldogs halfback Matt Frawley looks set to be rewarded with a contract extension.

HE has been the bargain performer of the season, now Bulldogs halfback Matt Frawley looks set to be rewarded with a contract extension.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal Frawley has kickstarted preliminary discussions to remain at Belmore beyond his current contract, which expires at the end of 2018.

The former Canberra NYC captain has impressed in his four games for the Bulldogs since debuting against Brisbane in round 5.

Frawley’s manager Andrew Purcell confirmed the Canberra-born playmaker’s first preference is to remain at Canterbury.

WOODS AND FORAN HAVEN’T SIGNED, YET

Matt Frawley has been a real standout for the Bulldogs. Photo: Gregg Porteous

Purcell said the 22-year-old half feels a huge debt to Bulldogs coach Des Hasler — who recruited him in 2014 on the back of a highlights package when he was unwanted at the Raiders.

“Des came to me after seeing some footage I sent to him of Matt,” Purcell said. “He obviously saw something in him to sign him.

“There was no interest from Canberra, so I had to look at other options. Thankfully, Des was interested and Matt got an opportunity.

“They (the Bulldogs) want him to stay and we’ve had a quick discussion about that. He is on contract until the end of next year, but they are looking to extend him out.”

However, Frawley’s long-term future at Canterbury is far from certain when you consider the impending arrival of star five-eighth Kieran Foran.

The Bulldogs also remain hopeful of retaining half Josh Reynolds despite interest from the Tigers and Cronulla.

Purcell said Reynolds’ retention could force him to look at the open market as Frawley’s would ideally like to start rather than play off the bench.

“If they re-sign Reynolds and Foran gets across, what does that mean for Matt?” he said.

“They want to keep him, but we obviously want to know at what level. We are just going to walk through the process and see what happens.

“He would stay, but it’s not preferred option to play off the bench. But learning off someone like Kieran Foran would have massive merit. That’s why the most important thing is to find out what is going on (at the Bulldogs) and I’ll do that.”

Foran’s arrival will have a knock-on effect. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

It comes as other concerned player managers will meet with Canterbury officials this week to seek clarity with the Bulldogs set to embark on a player clean out to accommodate the looming signings of Foran and Aaron Woods.

The likes of Aiden Tolman and Greg Eastwood, who are both under contract, could be forced to move on to create space under the salary cap.

Fullback Will Hopoate and hooker Michael Lichaa are also in the firing line, prompting managers to approach Bulldogs officials for a clear direction on their futures.