Departing Wests Tigers outside back Jeral Skelton is set to rejoin the Canterbury Bulldogs, having started his NRL career with the outfit.
It was reported some weeks ago that Skelton, set to leave the Wests Tigers at the end of 2026 having not been offered a new contract, was garnering plenty of interest from around the competition.
His height, aggression, power and running game are all ticks in the box of a modern winger, and the Tigers' refusal to offer him a new deal came as a surprise given he managed 28 games for the club over the last two years.
The former Australian rugby sevens player played the first eight games of his career with the Bulldogs between 2023 and 2024, and ESPN are now reporting he is set to head back to where it all started.
The report suggests he is in the advanced stages of negotiatingh what will likely be a Top 30 deal, with the Bulldogs needing re-enforcements in the outside backs.
As it stands, the club have lost Marcelo Montoya to retirement at the end of 2026, and Jonathan Sua to the Perth Bears, leading to a need for more depth in the centre and wing positions, both of which Skelton can play.
The 22-time try-scorer in the NRL has also played two Tests for Samoa, both coming in 2024, and while injuries have at times hampered his progress, he would be almost certainly in the mix for a wing spot at Belmore against the likes of Enari Tuala, with Jacob Kiraz a certain starter on the other side of the field.
The 27-year-old, who was born in Redcliffe, has not had any other clubs linked to him publically, although Zero Tackle understands others have shown interest at points in recent weeks.
