Hapless Bulldogs have one shining light for 2018 and pressure’s on to… Lock Rhyse up in kennel
CANTERBURY are under increasing pressure to lock up rising star Rhyse Martin.
The Proserpine Brahmans junior and former Townsville Blackhawks player has emerged as a shining light in an otherwise dire season for the Bulldogs.
He’s also quickly amassed a cult following among frustrated supporters who are keen for the club to re- sign him.
The backrower is off- contract but the club is yet to secure his services beyond 2018.
The Townsville Bulletin understands the Bulldogs view Martin as a priority retention target and have started negotiations with his management.
He’s currently on bottom dollar but his contract talks have coincided with a purple patch in form, which included him kicking 12 from 12 goals in two weeks.
“Last year, when I first came to the club, it was the first game for the Intrust Super Cup premiership and no one really wanted to do it, so I just put my hand up,” Martin said of his kicking duties recently.
“I have always been able to kick but never really took it on 100 per cent. While I’ve got it I’ll take it and give it my all.”
Before the early releases of Moses Mbye to the Wests Ti- gers and Aaron Woods to the Cronulla Sharks from their rich deals, Martin looked certain to go elsewhere.
But their departures have eased some of the salary cap pressure on the Bulldogs.
Martin is seeking a top- up from his current contract, which is understood to be on the “bottom end” of the side’s top 30 roster.
There was speculation South Sydney were in the hunt for Martin but they yesterday denied any interest.
The English Super League is another option but Martin prefers Australia.
Martin, who attended Kirwan State High School, en- tered the now defunct nationwide under- 20s competition with the Sydney Roosters and spent a year with the club’s first- grade side, before returning to the Blackhawks for their inaugural Queensland Cup season in 2015 and playing until the end of 2016, when he linked with Canterbury.
South Sydney general manager of football Shane Richardson said the Rabbitohs wanted to focus on developing their own talent and that they were not in the market to fill the hole that would be left by Angus Crichton.
The NSW Blues forward will depart the club at season’s end to join the Roosters on a three- year mega deal believed to be worth about $ 1 million a season.
Souths stalwart John Sutton, who is currently off contract, is yet to decide whether or not he’ll play on beyond 2018.
Sutton has been in careerbest form and could easily command an extension if he chooses to go around one more time.
But if he does hang up the boots, that would leave Anthony Seibold without his firstchoice edge backrowers.
But the Bunnies believe they have the depth internally to cover for Crichton, perhaps through backrower Dean Britt.