Canterbury will up the ante in pursuit of Josh Addo-Carr and Jason Saab
The Bulldogs have a need for speed, so they’re going to the fastest man in the business - Melbourne flyer Josh Addo-Carr. Dragons teen titan Jason Saab is also in Canterbury’s sights.
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The desperate need for speed has prompted Canterbury officials to start internal discussions about pursuing NSW and Australian winger Josh Addo-Carr – and to monitor St George Illawarra’s impending release of winger Jason Saab.
The Bulldogs have scored just seven tries in four games this year – three came against St George Illawarra last Sunday – while they crossed for only 56 tries last season – the least of any NRL side.
While Canterbury secured a gritty 22-2 win over Saints, club management is acutely aware the Bulldogs need more speed to be a consistent finals contender.
They need some whoosh.
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Addo-Carr will be granted an early release from Melbourne after this year to return to NSW, where he has family.
Canterbury, Penrith, Wests Tigers – his former club - and Souths are expected to show significant interest in him. As an incumbent NSW winger, Addo-Carr could command around $500,000 on the open market.
Few wingers in the NRL are earning more than $500,000 although some suggest Parramatta’s Blake Ferguson has an annual salary of around $550,000.
Addo-Carr is also close with mates with Rabbitohs star, Latrell Mitchell, the pair having privately expressed a desire to one day play NRL together.
The Bulldogs haven’t lodged a formal offer for Addo-Carr but have begun talks inside their Belmore bunker.
Club football manager Steve Price – who remains in Queensland during COVID isolation - is due back in Sydney next week.
St George Illawarra has denied a release request from Saab although it is understood the 1.99 metre tall winger will seek another release. Rival clubs believe he will eventually become a free agent. The Bulldogs are watching on closely.
Canterbury will have an improved salary cap for next season should the club elect against re-signing five-eighth Kieran Foran.
Signing Addo-Carr would give the Bulldogs a major scalp in the face of supporter frustration through a lack of results. Melbourne will though seek a player swap in return for allowing Addo-Carr to break his contract one season early.
Thompson has signed for three years, starting from 2021, yet speculation mounts the giant Pom could arrive early given Super League is yet to restart.
Canterbury may be forced to pay St Helens a transfer fee for secure Thompson for the rest of this season. The Bulldogs have previously denied Thompson would be at Belmore for 2020 but circumstances have changed through COVID-19.
Bulldogs CEO Andrew Hill did not return calls.
Canberra meanwhile is yet to finalise the future of star winger, Nick Cotric. Talks have been progressing and the Raiders hope a deal can be struck shortly.
“Nick is a priority signing and talks are progressing. We are working hard on a deal,” said Raiders chief executive, Don Furner.
Rival clubs have expressed interest in Cotric – a NSW State of Origin star - but it is unknown how may have actually lodged official offers with his manager, Sam Ayoub.