Incoming Bulldogs coach Trent Barrett works magic on Adam Elliott

Incoming Canterbury Bulldogs coach Trent Barrett has helped convince Adam Elliott to commit his future to the Bulldogs.

Adam Elliott has credited Trent Barrett for his decision to re-sign with the Bulldogs. Picture: Alix Sweeney

The first call Canterbury back-rower Adam Elliott made was to incoming coach Trent Barrett. He was yet to sign his new deal with the Bulldogs, but everything was heading in the right direction and Elliott wanted Barrett to know he was in for the long haul.

The Warriors had come close to prising him away, but Elliott was swayed by a series of conversations with Barrett, who will join Canterbury next season.

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Barrett told him a new era was on the way and he wanted Elliott to be part of it.

“They (the Bulldogs) said let us know in the next day or so,” Elliott said.

“I came home and spoke to the missus. We were very confident we wanted to stay. I flicked him (Barrett) a text – he was the first one I told because he had been so good and gone out of his way to make me feel wanted and respected by him – to say I was staying.

“I said in the next day or so it will get done. That was Monday night. I ended up signing it on (Wednesday) arvo.

“I have spoken to him probably three or four times (during the process). After each time we negotiated, he called me or wished me good luck.

“He was really active around wanting me to be here next year. For someone who has been in a pretty successful club (Penrith) this year already, it is great for him to call me and say ‘I don’t want you to go anywhere, I am not just going to replace you’.

“I remember getting off the phone and thinking if we get the money right and everything falls into place, I am staying here.

“It took a bit longer than we would have liked but it ended up happening. He sees me as a big part of this team and he wants me here long term.”

Elliott sees it now as well. Only days before he re-signed on a three-year deal with Canterbury, he and his partner had spoken to their families about moving to Auckland to join the Warriors.

The sands shifted over the weekend, although in truth the winds of change had been blowing through Belmore for weeks.

Barrett’s signing was one thing. There was also the decision by Laundy Hotels to come on board as a major sponsor.

“It is a very successful business and for him to be backing us and backing Trent, is a major tick for me,” Elliott said.

“We want people from other clubs wishing they were in our team.”