The Bulldogs face the agonising decision of letting one of their two young gun centres – Paul Alamoti or Jake Averillo – go at the end of the season.
Two of the brightest centre talents in the game, both are off contract for 2024.
The Dogs already have one of the NRL’s highest paid centres in Matt Burton and having three centres on big money will disrupt the balance of their salary cap.
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The club’s priority is finding a class halfback and that is where any excess money in the cap will go.
As a result, the Bulldogs have reluctantly given both centres permission to test the market.
Both are getting plenty of interest and it seems certain one of the pair – most probably Alamoti, will move on.
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The club has been steadily improving its roster over the last couple of seasons and become more competitive in the last couple of years after some lean times.
Rabbitohs negotiate release for Latrell’s cousin
The Rabbitohs have negotiated an immediate release for promising centre Ethan Ferguson – the cousin of Latrell Mitchell – from the Knights.
Wide World of Sports reported last month that Ferguson, a talented Jersey Flegg outside back, had signed with the Rabbitohs for next season.
But the Bunnies are keen to work on Ferguson for the future, and he will play the next few months in the lower grades before spending the off season with the club preparing for a top 30 spot on a fulltime development contract.
Bateman behind Ofahengaue release
So why did the Tigers let consistent forward Joe Ofahengaue go to the Eels mid-season?
Watch for a change in the way they play in-form Englishman John Bateman to learn the answer.
Bateman has been an edge forward all his career but I’m hearing the Tigers are planning to turn him into a middle.
After a couple of mixed seasons back in Super League, Bateman has been a great buy for the Tigers and his arrival has coincided with the team’s upturn in form.
Move on the horizon for Manly centre
Speaking of players switching positions, don’t be surprised to see Manly centre Brad Parker move to the back row in 2024.
Parker is no superstar but he is an honest, hard-working player who knows how to hit a hole in attack and read the numbers in defence.
His whole-hearted approach and good guy image have made Parker a fan favourite at Brookvale.
With Manly having plenty of up-and-comers in the backline but lacking players with consistency in the back row, the 26-year-old is being mooted for a change of scenery over the off season.
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