Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs back rower Jacob Preston is set to test his worth on the open market for a 2028 contract when he can speak to rivals in four months' time.
Reports emerged last week that a deal was all but done to keep Preston in Belmore, although he is set to make it to November 1 this year to test his value for a contract following the end of next season, as per reports from Wide World of Sports.
The publication spoke directly with Preston's agent, Wayde Rushton, to confirm the contract status of the future representative star.
“Jake would love to stay at the Dogs, but the figure they came up with and the one we are looking at are a fair way apart,” Rushton told Wide World of Sports.
“Unless things change soon, we will start talking to rival clubs when the rules allow in November – I'm sure there will be plenty of interest.”
Preston is destined to be a top back rower in the competition, and it's expected plenty of clubs would be keen to lure him to their club if he goes to November.
Aggression, tenacity, and can hit an excellent hole, Preston was a standout in the Bulldogs' 2026 campaign, and would be a tremendous loss if they were to let him slip through their fingers.
Back row teammate Viliame Kikau is on a reported $800k a season, which may stretch the squad's salary cap in other areas if they were to re-sign Preston on big dollars too.
With the PNG Chiefs looming for a 2028 entry to the NRL, and yet to sign a forward, the expansion club would no-doubt be interested in his services if the Bulldogs don't agree on a price for its in-demand backrower.
Preston will line-up for the Bulldogs in a must-win clash against the South Sydney Rabbitohs on Friday to keep their finals hopes alive.
The club sits in ninth, with remaining games against the Bunnies, St George, Penrith and Brisbane to round out the home and away season.
It is expected they will have to win all remaining games, while Rabbitohs and Cowboys above them, will have to drop one or two, for the Bulldogs to make it into the Top 8 and play in September.
