Trent Barrett can convince disgruntled star Corey Harawira-Naera at Bulldogs
Corey Harawira-Naera, who returns next week from his contract deregistration, remains angry at the Bulldogs over his sacking - but a key appointment can keep him at the club.
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Only the appointment of Trent Barrett as coach of the Canterbury Bulldogs this week can save New Zealand second-rower Corey Harawira-Naera from walking out on the club.
The disgruntled forward, who returns next week from his contract deregistration, is still angry about the way he was kicked out by the Bulldogs for inappropriate behaviour on a pre-season trip to Port Macquarie.
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Barrett goes back a long way with Harawira-Naera. He brought both him and Panthers front-rower James Fisher Harris to Penrith in 2014 to coach them in Penrith’s Holden Cup team.
In those days, the 18-year-old Harawira-Naera was a fullback in Barrett’s team.
“He loved playing under Trent and they’ve always stayed in touch,” Harawira-Naera’s manager Darryl Mather told The Sunday Telegraph.
“They’ve had a tremendous long-term relationship. Corey was a kid who had just arrived from New Zealand and needed a great mentor like Trent.”
Mather says there is still considerable animosity between the second-rower and the Bulldogs management over his departure from the club and certain comments by officials in a press statement.
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“The fallout has been astronomical,” Mather said.
“Corey has got to feel like he can work for them.
“Having Trent there as a coach would tick one of a few boxes that need to be ticked.”
The Bulldogs, who are close to announcing a new major sponsor, want the second-rower to stay.
Other clubs, including the Canberra Raiders who want him this year, are watching developments with interest.
The Bulldogs are expected to make an announcement on their coach by midweek.
Jayden Okunbor is expected to stay at the club to see out his contract. He is available to return in round 15 of the competition.
DRAGONS STAR ASKS FOR SECOND RELEASE
St George-Illawarra has failed in a last-ditch attempt to keep boom winger Jason Saab at the Dragons beyond this year.
Club chief executive Ryan Webb and recruitment boss Ian Millward even visited Saab at his home in Sydney’s west last week after his manager, Mario Tartak, requested his release for a second time.
The 19-year-old — who is under contract until 2022 — is struggling with the travel from Greystanes to Wollongong each day and insists he won’t be at the club next year.
There is a huge line-up of clubs — including the Tigers, Sea Eagles and Rabbitohs — ready to pounce.
The interest from Souths is a shock considering they’ve told popular winger Alex Johnston to move on at the end of the year.