Top Bulldogs players join Kieran Foran in casualty ward
Kieran Foran underwent another shoulder operation last week but he was not the only Canterbury player who had to go under the knife.
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Kieran Foran last week underwent a second shoulder operation to help repair his badly damaged arm and two other high-profile Bulldogs also headed for the operation theatre.
The Sunday Telegraph has learnt that aside from Foran, who had his procedure on Tuesday, skipper Josh Jackson and hooker Jeremy Marshall-King underwent operations on Thursday.
Jackson (groin) and Marshall-King (shoulder) won’t miss any game time but the injury is expected to sideline Jackson for up to two months of the pre-season.
While it is unclear when Marshall-King hurt his shoulder, it’s suggested it happened during the world nines tournament.
Foran hurt his shoulder while representing the Kiwis, with his injury so severe he needed two operations to repair the damage.
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The Bulldogs met with the NRL on Friday to gain further clarity into any potential salary cap dispensations and compensation for Foran’s injury. The 29-year-old has been told he faces an uphill battle to return to the field next year.
Canterbury are restricted to just a $350,000 salary cap relief despite Foran being one of the NRL’s highest-paid players on about $1.2 million.
The Bulldogs are also seeking clarity about the ruling surrounding Foran’s replacement. They will be given permission to sign a player by the NRL but face an obstacle in finding one who matches his experience.
Meanwhile, Newcastle are expected to sign Bronco Gehamat Shibasaki. The Knights have tabled a three-year deal to land the 21-year-old immediately. Brisbane need to release a player to make way for Brodie Croft. The Knights view Shibasaki as a long-term centre option.
BULLDOGS BOARDROOM BLOODSHED OVER
There will be no repeat of the boardroom bloodshed at Canterbury, with a strong show of faith in the incumbent Bulldogs board led by Lynne Anderson.
There was no rebel ticket formed to challenge the board when nominations closed on Saturday afternoon. Instead, the six incumbent directors — including Anderson, John Ballesty, Paul Dunn, John Khoury, Joe Thomas and Peter Mortimer — all renominated.
They are joined by independents Adrian Turner, Nicholas Dimas, Peter McMahon and Anthony Elias in nominating.
McMahon and Elias were part of ex-chairman Ray Dib’s former board. There are seven board sports to fill.
Incumbent member and club legend Steve Mortimer stood down from his role.
It is a massive show of faith for the Anderson-led board and a turnaround from the 2018 elections, where she swept to power in messy circumstances.