Fox Sports NRL reporter James Hooper has reported over the weekend that the Bulldogs are considering making a play for the Wests Tigers’ supposed ‘Big Four’ of Aaron Woods, Luke Brooks, James Tedesco and Mitchell Moses.
It wouldn’t be the first time over the last twelve months that talent has made the switch from Concord to Belmore, as the Bulldogs managed to lure veteran Tigers recruitment officer Warren McDonnell to the club last November in an effort to replace the departing Noel Cleal and Jim Whitney.
That acquisition, however valuable an asset McDonnell proves to be, would pale in comparison to the exodus of the Tigers’ most promising four players should the Bulldogs actually go through, and are successful, with the bid.
“There’s been so much speculation around about these four players and what’s going to happen,” Hooper said on Triple M Saturday NRL.
“Over the course of the last week, the rumblings have got louder and louder, that one of the clubs playing today – the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs – might well decide that they’re going to make a play for all four.
“Don’t ask me how the hell they’d fit them all in”.
While such a signing coup would be massive for Canterbury, it would require some extremely astute and difficult manoeuvring from Bulldogs management to pull off. In fact, it seems nigh impossible just to make a respectable offer and stay under the salary cap, especially given the Bulldogs’ current roster.
While it is understandable that the Bulldogs’ would be interested in the soon to be off-contract talent, perhaps it would prove more beneficial in the long run to target one, or even two, of the four.
With Josh Reynolds rumoured to be moving on after season 2017, it would be smart for the club to find a replacement sooner rather than later, and either Luke Brooks or Mitchell Moses would not only be clever signings to make, but could turn the Bulldogs into true Premiership threats provided they play with the kind of consistency that has been absent at the Tigers recently.
It is more difficult to rationalise the signing of Aaron Woods and James Tedesco, other than Bulldogs wanting to make a statement, which in itself is probably reason enough. But the depth in the Bulldogs’ forwards, while having underperformed thus far in 2017, would not necessitate buying one of the most expensive forwards in the NRL. And as much of a statement as such a raid would make, it wouldn’t be worth the price tag.
Still, it is an exciting notion to ponder, even if the chances of a such a massive talent raid being successful are slim.
Would you like to see the so-called ‘Big Four’ of the Wests Tigers at the Bulldogs? Moreover, do you think Canterbury could pull it off? Let us know your opinion by leaving a comment.
GC Dave
Guest
Here is a novel idea, let the bulldogs have them, all but Teddy.. Tigers are doing just great with them aren't they? Moses and Brooks are perennial gunna's. They have had potential for too long. These egotistical, self centered wanna be's have been appointed the next big thing by the press...guess what they aren't. They would be lucky to be higher than 10 in halves combinations in the competition and if results stem from the halves (which the press say it does), then they are 16th. If the Dogs want to go on shopping spree for halves fromt he bottom of the competition ladder, fill your boots. That's not a good recipe to cure their ills is it? Woods, is a great player, but a frot rower at $1m per year is a major salary cap imbalance. Tigers could pick up the crumbs of Klemmer and Kasiano for the same price. Don't say they won't be on the market. Who in their right mind would stay at a club that values you half of the incoming prop. As for Tedesco....throw the cheque book and pen at him and let him write his own ticket...he is that good.
Chook
Guest
The Bulldogs already have a pair of mediocre halves....why would they want another pair
DJ01
Guest
Well it seems very desperate. I don't know what's going on there at Canterbury, but paying a million for Woods? very strange.
DJ01
Guest
Both are turnstiles too. Should go back to cup and learn how to tackle.
kk
Roar Pro
If that happened C-BRLFC would be known as "The No Idea Club" forever.
DJ01
Guest
There are reports that the Dogs have offered Woods a million a season, which is ludacris. He's a passenger, he won't do anything for the Dogs. I wouldn't pay him 600k let alone a million.
jamesb
Guest
Moses and Brooks should be playing NSW Cup. Each of them are worth a packet of twisties and a can of Coke.
BigJ
Roar Guru
Bit of a tip mate, try not to write articles based on an assumption, (an opinion is fine I do it all the time) but assumptions just donot work, trust me. Stick to the well known not the may happen or hopeful
Magnus M. Østergaard
Roar Guru
Mbye would be a Lyon like centre maybe? I just dont see him running a game. You mentioned Garvey somewhere, hes pretty good. Have Reynolds/Moses and Garvey @ 9.
Deano70
Guest
Truly? Read his stats for the last 18 months, might look to be no frills on the eye, but his metres gained, minutes played are both in with the top echelon of forwards, and while hardly a tackling machine he gets the job done.
The Barry
Roar Guru
True enough. Mbye just doesn't look like a 7. My main concern with Moses and Brooks would be signing both of them and paying massive overs.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Brooks would be a step up, but so would a tackling robot that could send Mbye to 9 and Lichaa to Centrelink!
souvalis
Guest
Thought the Storm did a pretty good job keeping Teddy wrapped yesterday..and got around him a couple of times too easily..next contender M.Moylan steps up to the plate this week...should be good..
turbodewd
Roar Guru
I believe Woods is lazy and lacks fire and passion. His hits dont hurt, his runs dont hurt. He is the anti-Klemmer. He isnt captain material. Very over rated prop.
Jimmmy
Guest
Yeah he is no Billy Slater in that regard, but he will get better. He is a genuinely brilliant attacker and there are not too many around.
andrew
Guest
Teddy is a star in attack with speed to burn, but the best two general play kickers in the business would have given the NSW selectors something to think about yesterday. His positional play on kick defense leaves a fair bit to be desired.
The Barry
Roar Guru
I just sprayed coffee across the room. Tedesco in a heartbeat. Woods is a good player but not really the type of forward we need more of at the moment. I'd still take him. But I don't see how Moses and Brooks are any sort of a step up. Certainly not worth selling the farm for. This rumour has been around for a while. If it happens, it's at least doing something positive and not just accepting that this will be the way of it for the next few years.
James Ditchfield
Roar Rookie
Good call
James Ditchfield
Roar Rookie
Well Aaron Woods and Tedesco would be great buys for any team, and I really think Brooks and Moses have a lot of good football in them. Even though it's all just speculation, signing all four players at once would be massive for the 'Dogs.
James Ditchfield
Roar Rookie
Fair enough. Just thought it was an idea worth speculating over.