Bulldogs confirm Trent Barrett as their coach for next season

Canterbury have finally announced Trent Barrett will be their coach for the next three seasons.

Trent Barrett will stay as Panthers assistant coach until the end of the season

Canterbury finally confirmed the appointment of Trent Barrett on Wednesday afternoon but the Bulldogs have conceded defeat with Corey Harawira-Naera, having started exploring compensation deals for the New Zealand international.

Barrett will finish his commitments with Penrith - where he is a highly-regarded assistant - before stepping into one of the most volatile jobs in the NRL from the start of next season on a three-year deal.

The good news is he will take over a roster that has been strengthened with the addition of Canberra and NSW winger Nick Cotric, his shift to the Bulldogs on a lucrative three-year deal worth close to $2 million confirmed by the Bulldogs on Wednesday.

The Bulldogs are also expected to welcome back reinstated winger Jayden Okunbor for the rest of this season - he could return to training as early as Monday - but Harawira-Naera is on his way out, his departure expected to be confirmed later this week.

It is understood the Bulldogs began identifying players that could be included as part of a swap deal between them and Canberra, long considered the frontrunners to sign Harawira-Naera.

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The Bulldogs are desperate to land a hooker and youngster Tom Starling did an impressive job for Canberra last weekend in the absence of Josh Hodgson. However, it is understood they will settle for some form of financial compensation if they are unable to negotiate a player in return.

The Bulldogs hold the cards in many respects because once the NRL appeals committee reinstated his contract, Harawira-Naera became a Canterbury player yet again. Canterbury officials held at least two meetings with Harawira-Naera and his representatives, but it is understood he requested a release on at least two occasions.

The Raiders are in the box seat because they have money to spend, having received salary cap dispensation for John Bateman. The English international’s return as soon as this weekend means the need for Harawira-Naera isn’t as dire this year, although the club has a significant injury toll and have been scouring the game for reinforcements.

Harawira-Naera is a world-class back rower and would immediately strengthen the Raiders side. There had been hope that his relationship with Barrett would allow the parties to overcome any residual tensions and negotiate his return to Canterbury.

However, those hopes now appear forlorn after The Australian was told that the club had been unable to repair the relationship between Harawira-Naera and some senior figures at the Bulldogs.

Harawira-Naera and Okunbor were re-registered by the NRL after taking women back to the team hotel during a pre-season trip to Port Macquarie.

The club lost a major sponsor as a result, although they look set to announce a fresh one in coming days. Regardless of Harawira-Naera’s decision, incoming coach Barrett looks set to take over a stronger roster than the one that cost Dean Pay his job.

Cotric’s signing follows the earlier signature of England forward Luke Thompson, who has already pulled on the jersey.

“I’d like to thank the Canterbury-Bankstown club for appointing me to the position of head coach and for giving me the opportunity to become part of the Bulldogs family,” Barrett said.

“The club has a long and proud history of success in rugby league and is a club founded on strong work ethics and family values

“I look forward to, and am excited by, the challenges ahead in terms of making this club a serious competition force again.

“I would also like to thank the Panthers for their support and understanding, As my job there is not yet done, and out of respect to the Panthers, I will not be making any further comment until the conclusion of the season.”

Chief executive Andrew Hill said the club believed Barrett - who previously had three mixed years as Manly coach - was the right man to take the club forward.

“Having spoken to Trent on a number of occasions we have been impressed with his vision for the future of our football team and how he will look to develop our players on and off the field,” Hill said.

“Trent has been around the game a long time and has a great knowledge of football and how to bring the best out of players. We all look forward to him joining the Bulldogs family at the end of this season.”

Hill also lauded the signing of Cotric.

“Signing a player of Nick‘s ability and class is a massive boost for our club moving forward and another step in strengthening our squad to lead us into the future,” Hill said.