Canterbury in danger of losing boom backrower Rhyse Martin
A TERRIBLE season for Canterbury could be about to get worse with the club under increasing pressure to lock up rising backrower Rhyse Martin.
Bulldogs
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CANTERBURY are under increasing pressure to lock up rising star Rhyse Martin.
The Proserpine Brahmans junior has emerged as a shining light in an otherwise dire season for the Bulldogs.
He’s also quickly amassed a cult following among frustrated supporters who are keen for the club to re-sign him.
The backrower is currently off-contract but the Belmore club are yet to secure his services beyond 2018.
The Daily Telegraph understands the Bulldogs view Martin as a retention target but they are yet to begin official negotiations with his management.
He’s currently on a bottom-dollar deal but his contract talks have coincided with a purple patch in form, which included a masterclass in goalkicking where he kicked 12 goals from 12 attempts in two weeks.
Before the early releases of Moses Mbye to the Wests Tigers and Aaron Woods to the Cronulla Sharks from their rich deals, Martin looked certain to almost go elsewhere.
But the departure of Mbye and Woods has eased some of the salary cap pressure the Bulldogs are under.
However, any salary cap money freed up will need to stretch as far as possible.
Martin is seeking a top-up from his current contract which is understood to be on the “bottom end” of the side’s top 30 roster. Whether the club can afford him remains to be seen.
There was speculation South Sydney were in the hunt for Martin but on Monday they categorically denied any interest in the forward.
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The English Super League is also another option for Martin, but his preference would be to stay in Australia.
South Sydney General Manager of Football, Shane Richardson, told The Daily Telegraph the Rabbitohs want to focus on developing their own talent and that they are currently not in the market to fill the hole that will be left by Angus Crichton.
The New South Wales Blues forward will depart the club at season’s end to join the Roosters on a three-year mega deal believed to be worth around $1 million a season.
Souths stalwart John Sutton, who is currently off contract, is yet to decide whether or not he’ll play on beyond 2018.
Sutton has been in career best form and could easily command an extension if he chooses to go around one more time.
But if he does hang up the boots, that would leave Anthony Seibold without his first choice edge backrowers.
But the Bunnies believe they have the depth internally to cover for Crichton in particular.
One option is backrower Dean Britt. The Camden Rams junior came through the Melbourne Storm development system before signing a two-year deal in 2017.
He was highly regarded by former coach Michael Maguire but has struggled to crack first grade, having only played one game for the Rabbitohs in 2017.