Allan bound for Roosters as Bulldogs’ roster purge continues
The Bulldogs’ roster cleanse continues, with former State of Origin representative Corey Allan the third player to be released with at least a year left on his deal as he seeks an immediate switch to the Roosters.
Allan, who starred for Queensland in Wayne Bennett’s monumental Origin upset in 2020, will attempt to rejuvenate his career with the Bulldogs’ crosstown rivals and win a spot in Trent Robinson’s star-studded backline.
Allan joins Josh Jackson (retirement) and Aaron Schoupp (Titans) in making an early exit from his contract at Belmore, which has undergone a massive transformation under Bulldogs general manager Phil Gould.
Allan, 24, had struggled with injuries in his two years at the Bulldogs since arriving from South Sydney, where he stepped in to replace Latrell Mitchell at fullback in 2020 and won an unlikely spot in the Maroons squad for the end-of-season Origin triumph that year.
With the Bulldogs poised to fast-track the progress of outside backs Jacob Kiraz, Jeral Skelton, Declan Casey and Paul Alamoti, Allan was deemed surplus to requirements as Gould manages a cap bolstered by big-name signings Reed Mahoney, Viliame Kikau and Ryan Sutton.
And Allan will fancy his chances of trying to squeeze into the Roosters’ side.
Teenage sensation Joseph Suaalii is expected to move closer to the ball in the centres next year, with Paul Momirovski, South Sydney recruit Jaxson Paulo and Allan all options to play on the opposite flank to Daniel Tupou.
Allan was restricted to just three games with the Bulldogs this year and 21 in total across two seasons.
He was brought to the club under former coach Trent Barrett.
“We thank Corey for his two years of service to the Bulldogs and wish him all the best for the future,” the Bulldogs said in a statement.
Jackson has started post-playing work with the Bulldogs as a strength and conditioning coach while Schoupp was offered a long-term deal on the Gold Coast.
Incoming coach Cameron Ciraldo still has three roster spots open in the club’s top 30 squad for next year.
The Bulldogs remain confident Matt Burton will recommit to the club having returned from the World Cup, with the premiership winner free to sign with rival clubs for 2024.
Luke Thompson, Kyle Flanagan and Jake Averillo remain the club’s other regular first-graders yet to ink contracts for beyond the end of next season.
What was predicted to be a free-agent frenzy since November 1 has been anything but, with head office still trying to strike a funding deal with its clubs and players as part of the collective bargaining agreement.
Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V’landys has stepped up his involvement in negotiations as the NRL nears an agreement with clubs, while the players’ union has also made ground in talks over recent weeks.