Axed St George Illawarra prop Paul Vaughan has secured a second chance in the NRL, signing a one-year deal with Canterbury.
Paul Vaughan could be able to play in round one of the NRL for Canterbury next year after the banned prop was signed on a one-year deal by the Bulldogs.
Less than a month after being sacked by St George Illawarra for hosting an illegal barbecue during lockdown, Vaughan has been given a second chance in the NRL.
The former Kangaroos prop will join Canterbury at the start of next season, linking up with a raft of new recruits including fellow forward Tevita Pangai Jr.
Crucially, the Bulldogs can push to have the eight games missed at the end of this season after being axed by the Dragons count towards Vaughan’s ban of the same length.
“Paul is someone who will bring both ability and experience to our young pack for next season,” Bulldogs coach Trent Barrett said.
“Everyone knows what a damaging ball-runner he is and the impact that he can have on a game and we believe that we will be able to harness that moving forward.
“I know that Paul is excited about the opportunity to come and join us and we believe that he still has a great deal to offer in the game.”
Vaughan’s bubble breach is still set to cost him, with the Bulldogs deal believed to be worth significantly less money than the $800,000 a season he was on at the Dragons.
He was also fined $50,000 by the NRL’s integrity unity.
Along with Pangai, Vaughan’s arrival will give the Bulldogs some strength up front, with Adam Elliott and Josh Jackson still featuring in Barrett’s back row.
The club have already lured Matt Burton to their halves for next year, while Josh Addo-Carr will play on the wing and Matt Dufty at fullback.
It leaves the hooker role as the one position they have not recruited in, after trying hard to sign Melbourne dummy-half Brandon Smith.
Instead, the Bulldogs re-signed Jeremy Marshall-King on a two-year deal earlier this month.
GregM
Roar Rookie
which end of the table ?
GregM
Roar Rookie
would have been great if Milford and Ash Taylor were on 1 year deals, the clubs would've saved a fortune.
GregM
Roar Rookie
well BigMig he didn't learn from his forst covid breach, so why should we expect any different after his second? JDB didn't learn anything from his time off neither
GregM
Roar Rookie
yep they must have picked him up for 3/5ths of buggr all as he's been pretty average on the park
Jockstar
Guest
Great buy. I reckon the Doggies will make the 4
catcat
Roar Rookie
I like these 1 year deals - Matt Dufty also on a 1 year deal at the Dogs. Give the club (and player) a season together before committing to a longer deal or not.
Tony
Roar Guru
Perhaps they'll be playing reserve grade together
Big Daddy
Roar Rookie
Even young " NRL Star" Flanagan has said Vaughan coming to Canterbury will benefit his game. The mind boggles.
andrew
Roar Rookie
No such luck.
mbp
Guest
smart move from the doggies. if i was them id snap up matt duffty and corey norman as well. the dragons have rocks in there head letting duffty go...!
farkurnell
Roar Rookie
Maybe trade Hook as well for the Trifecta.Dogs need a decent coach with all this restocking.
Paul
Roar Guru
nah, they're only apprentices, Vaughan's got his degree already. You'll find out soon enough. :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
Soda
Roar Rookie
Well played Mr The Barry.
Tony
Roar Guru
Mad Monday will be a hoot
Tony
Roar Guru
:laughing:
Dutski
Roar Guru
If he’s served his time then good luck to him. Dogs get a good one at a bargain price, Saints free up some cap space. Win win
Big Mig
Roar Rookie
I am glad for PV - wish him well, I hope he's learnt from all this. Dogs building a good side of party goers too.
Big Mig
Roar Rookie
No one had ever seen Corey Norman run so fast than he did across Vaughan's backyard to evade the cops. Griffin has told him to pretend Latrell is a cop too.
The Barry
Roar Guru
The Bulldogs did get confirmation from the NRL…it’s one of the reasons the deal took a while to announce Vaughan had a contract when the suspension was announced, then the Dragons sacked him… seems like it’s doubling down making him serve out these eight weeks and then another eight weeks next year If no one will sign him because they have to wear the eight weeks, it effectively becomes a never ending suspension… Anyway the NRL has agreed that he serves his suspension over these eight games so it’s a moot point…
The Barry
Roar Guru
…and you guys have 10 of the other 11 geniuses who thought his bbq was a good idea… :silly: