Dogs not about to lose Kiraz

CANTERBURY coach Trent Barrett is confident of keeping Jacob Kiraz at Belmore despite interest from NRL rivals, declaring the local junior “won’t be going anywhere”.

The Bulldogs tabled Kiraz a two-year deal immediately after the youngster’s shock debut from outside of the club’s 30 roster against the Brisbane Broncos last weekend.

It’s believed that performance helped the St Johns Eagles junior capture the attention of at least three other NRL sides that have expressed an interest.

But on Thursday, Barrett said the Bulldogs wouldn’t lose the rising outside back for a second time. Having come through the Bulldogs system, Kiraz then moved to St George Illawarra, North Queensland and then Newcastle before returning to Belmore on a train and trial contact.

“He’s a good player, we were lucky to get him back. He’d been away for a couple of years. He didn’t do too much in the preseason but was terrific last week. He’s not in our top 30 at the moment but he won’t be going anywhere,” Barrett said. “He’s big, he’s athletic and can break a tackle.

“He’s a good kid too.”