The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs have made an offer to prop Samuel Hughes to stay at the club. He is set to ink a one-year extension, keeping him until the end of the 2027 season.
After playing five games in the 2023 season, Hughes managed to find a consistent spot in the side in 2024, the first time they had returned to the finals in more than half a decade.
In 2025 and 2026, Hughes has played a combined 18 games and has not played since round 10 this season.
Hughes suffered a neck injury prior to Round 11 and has not returned since the 44-12 loss to the Dolphins.
WWOS reports that the 25-year-old had almost accepted an offer to leave the club.
Hughes had a contract offer from the Catalans Dragons in the Super League before the Bulldogs decided to offer an extension.
Perth Bears had been in discussions with Hughes for some time; however, they could not convince him to head to Western Australia.
It is expected that after the 2027 season, he will head to the Super League, with Catalans willing to wait to sign him for the 2028 season.
The Bulldogs have not made a signing for the 2027 season and currently have seven spots remaining in their top 30.
In the eight games he has played this season, Hughes averages 71 run metres per game, making six tackle breaks and 144 tackles at a 98.6% efficiency.
When Hughes played 25 games in the 2024 season, he averaged 83 run metres per game and 21.2 tackles per game.
Jacob Preston's four-year extension was announced on Tuesday night, after reports indicated he had declined a three-year extension worth $630,000 per season.
The upgraded offer since then is around the $750,000 mark, according to NewsCorp.
The Bulldogs' season is on the line on Friday night, when they take on the Penrith Panthers at CommBank Stadium.
A win keeps their season alive with a sliver of hope for a spot in the finals.
