@jc99 said in [Signing Suggestions & Rumours](/post/1447797) said:
NRL 2021: Bulldogs star Luke Thompson shopped to rivals, Dragons chase Origin star
Canterbury prop Luke Thompson has attracted interest from rival NRL clubs as his English-based manager looks to secure a long-term deal.
Dean Ritchie
,
Canterbury prop Luke Thompson has attracted interest from rival NRL clubs after his English-based manager could not secure a new, long-term deal with the Bulldogs.
While wanting him to complete his contract at Belmore, Canterbury would consider releasing Thompson early should he procure a lengthy deal elsewhere.
The Bulldogs know there is interest in Thompson.
Thompson has two years remaining on his current Bulldogs deal but his agent, Andy Clarke, has been contacting NRL clubs trying to gauge their interest in the giant British forward from 2024.
The Daily Telegraph has been told Wests Tigers have shown a keenness in Thompson, who earns around $850,000 a season.
Luke Thompson’s manager is trying secure his clients long-term future in Australia.
Clarke wants to nail down Thompson’s long-term future in Australia. He contacted Canterbury hoping the club would agree to an extension.
Yet with a crammed salary cap, Canterbury was unable to tell Clarke they could extend Thompson beyond his current deal. Thompson has an option his way for 2023.
If he can obtain a four-year deal for Thompson, Clarke may ask Canterbury for a release.
The Daily Telegraph has been told Canterbury is right on its salary cap limit for next season.
Rival clubs would want Canterbury to pay around $350,000 a year to take Thompson.
Canterbury can send out its new-look squad next season with any financial pressure but would struggle to sign any new players - or even upgrade a player - given how tight their salary cap has become.
New Bulldogs general manager of football, Phil Gould, is closely monitoring and reworking the club’s cap. Thompson leads the club’s stats every week but an early departure would free up some cash.
Luke Thompson has been one of the Bulldogs best forwards in 2021, but a move would free up salary cap space. Picture: Alix Sweeney.
Luke Thompson has been one of the Bulldogs best forwards in 2021, but a move would free up salary cap space. Picture: Alix Sweeney.
Canterbury is adamant Thompson is not being shopped around - it’s more Clarke trying to settle his client’s long-term NRL future.
Clarke is said to be looking “at all options”.
There are no guarantees Canterbury would allow Thompson to leave early but the club would carefully consider any approach.
There is at least one other Sydney club which has been approached about Thompson.
Thompson has told friends he wants to stay at Canterbury and be part of the expected revival next season.
The Bulldogs are open to moving a player or two while they work to reshape their salary cap. Canterbury has one spot open for next season.
Thompson has established himself among the finest forwards in the NRL desire playing in a wooden-spoon side. He overcame a bout of homesickness just last year.
In September last year, Thompson said: “I’m fully committed to the Bulldogs.”
Thompson will play prop in Canterbury’s match against Newcastle this Saturday on the Gold Coast
Looks like the overspending on players at the dogs is already biting hard.They have already let players on large contracts be subsidised and moved on Thompson will be another.
Thank goodness Hartigan is pulling the financial strings here
LOL it’s year 2 of this rebuild , how is that even possible ? Am I missing something ? How is that last placed pack , going to make the 8 with the addition of TPJ and …. A lot of backs . They can barely get over halfway most sets .
Thompson is , ok , I guess , but he’s hardly the “best prop in the world “ that was being brandished about a year or 2 ago.
Backs get you over the line , forwards get you to it in the first place .
Having 2 average nrl back lines take up 70% of your cap , is not smart business IMO . The game where Burton ran the show against us , should be an eye to how the dogs will go next year . Just my opinion , but until they change every last man in that forward pack , and find a 9 , they can buy the aus backline , that team is not winning anything .
Mate, I'm mostly agreeing with you but I rate Burton.... as anything but a half. Second receiver on he's a deadset gun. If they choose him to play half, good luck to them. And if they let Thompson go, they are completely insane. The only good forward they've got. You're on the money.
I’m not saying Burton is hopeless or anything like that , I’m just saying we saw the Penrith sidethat night , which is way better than anything the dogs will trot out next year , basically offer nothing because it was Burton and nothing else . He’s on a hiding to nothing . I give it round 10 before the TPJ of the distractions outside footy and TPJ make the papers . From memory , it was one of the reason he had to get out of nsw , and Brisbane was a fresh start . He found the same guys , on the GC . That’s thier forward leader .
Here , he wouldn’t have had to be that , he would have been a complimentary piece . An enhancement to our pack . But I’m actually glad he’s not here , as I was always worried about his influence .
I wish him all the best , but that’s just not happening at the dogs .
But hey who am I ? Just another bum hole with an opinion .
TPJ played for Canberra before Brisbane.
Are u confusing him with some one else?
Who cares if hes friends with bikies, lol. He's not an enforcer for em or anything ?
No , he’s from newy went to Canberra , and was having off field issues with both clubs , that was the run in him , from memory . I’m not confusing him with anyone .
He was in high school when he left Newcastle to join Canberra NYC....
