Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldog’s winger Brett Morris appears set for a move to Redfern as the Dogs continue to clean out their salary cap, clearing the way for recruits Keiren Foran and Aaron Woods.
Morris debuted for the St. George Illawarra Dragons in 2006, playing 169 games across a nine-year career in the Red V, before switching to Canterbury for the 2015 season. During his three years in the blue and white, injury has plagued the winger, only taking the field for 45 out of a potential 75 games.
Reportedly on $700,000 next year, the Bulldogs are desperate to clear the decks to squeeze in key recruits, Foran and Woods. While they’ve already allowed the exit of fan favourites James Graham, Josh Reynolds and Sam Kasiano, as well as releasing Craig Garvey, Tyrone Phillips and Michael Lichaa, they still remain over the cap.
The exit of Morris to the Rabbitohs would benefit both parties, freeing up the Bulldogs salary cap while also bolstering the Bunnies’ backline.
South Sydney have already announced the signing of Dane Gagai, one of the Maroon’s best players in the 2017 State of Origin series, on a four-year deal. Already possessing internationals Greg Inglis and Alex Johnston, Morris would add some serious strike out wide for South’s, as well as filling the hole left by the departure of Bryson Goodwin and Aaron Gray.
Morris retired from representative football this year following the State of Origin series, capping off a wonderful rep career. The speedy winger stunningly scored 23 tries for the Kangaroos in just 18 games, playing a massive part in the 2013 World Cup campaign.
South Sydney are desperate for quality outside backs. Since winning the 2014 NRL Premiership, the likes of Lote Tuqiri, Dylan Walker, Aaron Gray, Bryson Goodwin, Kirisome Auva’a, Joel Reddy, Dane Nielsen, Nathan Merritt and Beau Champion. They’ve barely signed anyone in the past few years, focusing on junior development instead of recruitment.
It appears new head coach Anthony Seibold has a different approach, though certainly does still have the club’s juniors in mind. The Rabbitohs re-signed young forwards Sam Johnstone, Ky Rodwell and Lucky Ta’avale on multi-year deals after coming through the club’s Holden Cup side.
It’ll be a bold move for Dean Pay, releasing an international winger in his first week of being a head coach, but the job revolves around bold decisions. The deal is expected to be announced in the coming month, as soon as Canterbury decide how much of his 2018 contract they’ll contribute financially.