The Canterbury Bulldogs are causing headaches for the coaching staff at the Cronulla Sharks after throwing their hat in the ring to obtain star forward Toby Rudolf.
The Bulldogs are chasing a players to fill a middle forward role and have identified the likes of Rudolf as well as Melbourne Storm's Brandon Smith as someone to fill their void.
It is understood Canterbury have not made any formal offers to Rudolf as of yet but are keeping a close eye on the 25-year-old.
Rudolf has had a prolific start to the 2021 season, running an average of 125 metres per game and laying an average of 31 tackles in each of his six outings this season.
Lock
Offloads
Tackles Made
Tackle Breaks
Incoming Sharks senior coach Craig Fitzgibbon is left with the task of retaining Rudolf, along with 14 other Sharks players who are out-of-contract at the end of this year.
Following Sharks premiership half back Chad Townsend announcing he is on his way to the North Queensland Cowboys for season 2022, retaining Rudolf has been labelled a 'priority', per The Daily Telegraph.
The cashed-up Canterbury Bulldogs have put Cronulla cult figure Toby Rudolf at the top of their wish list, via @BulldogRitchie https://t.co/kuV0SFw36k pic.twitter.com/BESSiHOwQI
— Telegraph Sport (@telegraph_sport) April 20, 2021
Fitzgibbon recently signed a 3-year deal with the Sharks commencing in 2022, but he will continue to fulfill his current roles with the Roosters and the New South Wales State of Origin team as an assistant coach for the remainder of this season.
Further, the Bulldogs will free up a large sum of money at the end of this season, with 16 players on their list out of contract at the end of this season.
The Bulldogs have already strengthened their list for 2022, with the inclusions of Melbourne Storm winger Josh Addo-Carr and Penrith Panthers halfback Matt Burton.
Bulldogs looking to buy more & more players. What a surprise!