Dylan Napa will join former Roosters teammate Mitchell Pearce at the Catalans Dragons after signing a two-year deal with the Super League club.
The ex-Bulldogs prop has a contract option for a third season in the south of France that could take him through until the end of 2024, by which time he’d be 32.
Meanwhile, Canterbury, who confirmed after the 2021 season that Napa wouldn’t be re-signed following a three-year stint at Belmore, are poised to release Nick Cotric.
The former NSW Origin winger is reportedly close to returning to the Raiders, for whom he played 93 NRL games, to allow the Bulldogs to ease salary cap pressure.
Cotric played 14 matches in his maiden season in blue and white this year and is currently under contract until the end of 2023.
His one-time teammate Napa will head to Catalans after racking up 176 NRL games in a career highlighted by the 2018 premiership at the Roosters and seven State of Origins for Queensland.
“I’m very excited for the opportunity to be a part of the Catalans organisation. To see the progress the club has made in the past years is an environment I want to grow as a player but just as importantly as a person,” Napa said.
“I have a great relationship with Steve McNamara from my time at the Roosters and can’t wait to get over to France, put in the work and earn respect from my teammates and coaching staff.”
Coach McNamara, who was once part of Trent Robinson’s staff at the Tricolours, expressed his delight at securing the aggressive forward.
“Having worked closely with Dylan at the Roosters, I know first-hand the impact he can have in this competition,” McNamara said.
“I spoke many times with him throughout the negotiations and his will, desire and enthusiasm to get back to his best form was overwhelming. He is at a great age for a front-rower, a grand final winner who will be a great addition to our club.”
After losing the grand final to St Helens 12-10 in October, Catalans are hoping Napa and Pearce can help clinch their first Super League title in the coming years.
Pearce, who gained a release from the Knights last week, will replace his premiership-winning Roosters halves partner James Maloney at the French club.
The Sporacle
Roar Rookie
Listen to the story's that Scott tells about his dad sorting unruly patrons out at his pub, well worth the listen. Apparently not a man to be trifled with toe to toe :thumbup:
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
I'm sure he did Tim. But was Sattler known for it like Ron Coote, John O'Neill or Les Davidson?
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
You don't think Sattler ever returned the favour???
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
Just remember Tim, if a fighter only absorbs punishment without dishing out punishment in return they aren't a good fighter, just a punching bag.
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
A good fighter can absorb punishment. Sattler makes the team.
max power
Guest
i am certain that Napa was not on 800k at the Dogs yet another reason why player salaries should be public
Tom G
Roar Rookie
To be fair on Will Hopoate, he could’ve been anything if not for two things. The decision to go on his mission and secondly join the Eels on his return. Getting the door slammed in your face for a year in Brisbane followed by Brad Arthur’s coaching was not conducive to his development
Tony
Roar Guru
:laughing: :laughing:
andrew
Roar Rookie
AMD, I saw a movie years ago called Papillon, also read the book. It was based on a true story. Papillon means butterfly in French and Papillon had a butterfly tattooed on his chest. He was called Papi by his friends. Napa, by calling himself big papi is nothing but a big butterfly. End of story.
Big Daddy
Roar Rookie
GB, there's a little bit of " Reg" in everyone . Some of the players particularly winger's put their pugilistic ambition above their ability . I reckon Fisher- Harris and Campbell - Gillard would be pretty tasty .
Redcap
Roar Guru
La frange lunatique. :happy:
Tony
Roar Guru
We have no clue so we'll take your word for it. What's the French for " Glory Bound" while you're at it David?
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
Roberts, Fenech, Davidson, Carroll and Coote! Don’t forget the late John O’Neill either. :thumbup: John Sattler was as tough as nails but I’m not too sure he fancied himself as a fighter.
Tony
Roar Guru
Or the same, with Canterbury chipping in a large chunk. Why else would he go as he's still contracted for both 2022 and 2023?
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
Michael Cleary would make the all-time Souths biff 13. Roberts, Fenech, Davidson, Carroll... there's a lot of them.
Kent Dorfman
Roar Rookie
yeah, guess the North of Blighty aint the most appealing place to spend the winter
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
Big Papi was Napa's pet name for his Private Johnson! :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: Roll the Austin Powers double entendres... :laughing:
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
That depends on whether you are making a literal or figurative translation of "Papi". :silly:
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
The ESL clubs certainly aren’t phased about signing NRL duds, that’s for sure. They should be more focused on retaining the best of their homegrown talent instead of allowing them to escape to the NRL and less focused on the sifting through the NRL’s hand-me-downs.
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
“if we had a “bring back the biff” best XIII, who do you reckon would be in it?” . Now you’ve piqued my interest Paul. Latrell would definitely not be in that side but Cody Walker would. The determining factor is the willingness to let fists fly as opposed to the trepidation of let your hands go which his covered up by holding onto a player’s jersey smiling at them and trying to talk your way out of it. The former is Cody Walker while the latter is most definitely Latrell Mitchell. . Latrell is one of the roughest and toughest players in the game until the play is dead and a player stands toe-to-toe with him and wants to go on with it. I think Latrell knows that despite his size he can’t back it up if things get physical.