ALLAN THE RIGHT FIT IN BULLDOGS’ NEW ORDER
COREY Allan has wasted no time getting stuck into his new life at Canterbury, joining his teammates at Belmore for a training session on Monday after signing a three-year deal to join the Bulldogs.
The 22-year-old was released from the final year of his South Sydney contract, and Bulldogs coach Trent Barrett said his recruit could be “an outstanding player”.
Allan is the latest signing under Barrett’s Bulldogs rebuild, joining Nick Cotric (Canberra), Jack Hetherington (Penrith), Kyle Flanagan (Sydney) and Corey Waddell (Manly) as newcomers to the club.
The versatile back has played 29 NRL games for the Rabbitohs in the past two seasons and was a member of Wayne Bennett’s underdog Maroons team which claimed last year’s Origin series.
Barrett was confident in Allan’s ability to bolster the club’s outside back options and grow into one of the game’s premier players.
“We have worked hard in the offseason to sign the right players in terms of their ability and attitude and we believe that Corey will be a great addition for our club,” Barrett said.
“Everyone has seen what Corey can do over the past two seasons and we believe that he has the potential to be an outstanding player and someone that adds both quality and versatility to our backline.
“Corey will join us immediately and start training with the squad from today and everyone is looking forward to him being part of the Bulldogs.”
South Sydney football boss Mark Ellison said Allan’s move to the Bulldogs would allow him to play in his preferred spot at fullback — a position he conceded was not available at the Rabbitohs with Latrell Mitchell returning from injury to wear the No.1 jersey this season.
“Corey has done a great job for our club over the past two seasons and he goes to his new club knowing he has the respect of everyone at Souths,” Ellison said.
“His preferred position, and his best position, is fullback and the opportunity to play in that position on a regular basis is not there with us.
“He feels he will have a better opportunity to play fullback at his new club, on an extended and improved deal than that which he had with us.
“We felt it would be unfair to stand in the way of Corey progressing his career somewhere else.
“He will always be a Rabbitoh, and we wish him and his partner Teigan all the best for the future.”