Canterbury have landed a sizeable catch in their bid to fix up their forward pack, luring Josh Curran on a multi-year deal from the Warriors.
The New Zealanders confirmed on Thursday morning that Curran would exit the club despite having a year to run on his contract.
Belmore will be his destination, with the Bulldogs making their case once the Warriors told Curran he would not be re-signed beyond 2024.
“We recently advised Josh that it was unlikely we would be able to re-sign him beyond next year,” Warriors CEO Cameron George said.
“We told him we were happy for him to see out his contract but if he did find an option that provided him with longer-term security to please come back and talk to us.
“We’re pleased for him that he has found a new club and he leaves with our best wishes.
“We really appreciate the contribution Josh has made in his five seasons with us.”
Curran arrived at the Warriors in mid-2019 from the Sydney Roosters, and has been one of their most consistent back-rowers for the past four seasons.
His signing could be key for Canterbury. While they have talent in the halves and outside backs, their forward pack has long been lacking.
The 24-year-old’s arrival comes as questions continue to swirl around the future of star winger Josh Addo-Carr.
The Bulldogs are adamant they are not about to release the representative flyer, but it’s understood other clubs have been sniffing around the 28-year-old.
Parramatta, Newcastle and Wests Tigers are among those believed to have shown an interest in landing the winger after rumblings of discontent in recent weeks.
Addo-Carr recently copped a two-game ban, served wholly in the Pacific Cup, for his role in a Koori Knockout brawl on grand final weekend.
The former Melbourne winger has provided some moments of spark in his two years at the Bulldogs, with 27 tries in 38 matches.
(Photo by Dave Rowland/Getty Images)
But he has been adversely affected by Canterbury’s lack of starch up front and stodgy momentum in the middle of the field.
Bulldogs general manager Phil Gould took to social media on Wednesday night, appearing to deny suggestions Addo-Carr is poised to exit the club.
“Sometimes I just sit here and laugh at the things people say and do,” Gould posted on X.
“I have no idea what motivates them … They are obviously too smart for me … They are operating on a whole different level.”
Short Memory
Roar Rookie
Coen Hess is available next year. With the right carrot dangled he might be tempted to jump early...
The Barry
Roar Guru
That’s it… everyone’s all locked up Hoping there is still something to the Taukieaho rumour. Not ideal but probably the best we can hope for at the moment
Panthers
Roar Rookie
I didn’t say that you are denigrating anyone. Clubs pick up players though that are at various levels , talent wise . For different reasons. I’m surprised that the Broncos would require Falls. Maybe I’m wrong & he’ll prove to be good value? I do think that Curran is a pretty good player though & a real effort player .
langparker
Roar Rookie
Not sure I get your point, did I denigrate him? I was only commenting on the headline denoting Curran as a ‘Warriors Star’. He’s played 4 years of NRL, mostly off the bench, so he’s certainly no dud but the headline authors seemed to be after clicks. Besides the wests tigers basket case, I reckon you’d be telling a young player with potential to be wary of the bulldogs in their current state. On your other comment, I think ages back I commented that Falls would be a decent buy (on potential) for a club like the cowboys because he’s fallen down the pecking order at Penrith, no idea the broncs had made an offer but he’d be good top 30 depth at many clubs. Any rookie is only a depth player until they prove otherwise. Have said many times, clubs can’t keep them all, that’s the nature of the sometimes cruel business of putting together a 30 player squad under a salary cap.
Panthers
Roar Rookie
Didn’t the Broncos offer Kurt Falls a chance to play there? He’s not a bad player & kicks some goals . Yet he’s just not a bad player that kicks some goals.
langparker
Roar Rookie
Curran is a decent depth pick up but hardly what you’d classify as a star. Four years at the warriors without setting the world on fire.
Short Memory
Roar Rookie
100%. But what decent middles are available? Who would the Doggies have a chance of recruiting?
Maxtruck
Roar Rookie
Sign Curran but Max King on the market next week ?
Nat
Roar Guru
Good, honest player and they'll get 5x as much value as they did from TPJ & Thompson.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Really happy with his signing but our biggest problem atm is a lack of big men in the middle
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
Although Curran is a good signing he is not going to solve the manifest deficiencies in the Dogs forward pack all by himself.
Muzz Manyana
Roar Rookie
Great pick up by the Dogs.
Dutski
Roar Guru
Matterson can play but he always looks like he’s giving 80% max
Tony
Roar Guru
I'd rather him than Matterson
Dutski
Roar Guru
I dunno - lock is his best position and he’s not going to unseat Tohu Harris. Great pickup for the dogs though.
BigGordon
Roar Rookie
The Doggies are fast taking over Manly's mantle from the 70's and 80's as the team spending the big bucks to buy a premiership - except they don't have any premierships to show for it.
Tony
Roar Guru
The interesting thing here is not that the Dogs signed him, but that the Warriors were happy to let him go