Nick Cotric could become the first victim of the Bulldogs' salary cap squeeze following reports that the former Raider had recently met with Wests Tigers officials.
With Canterbury's cap situation sure to capture a big-name victim ahead of the 2023 season, the contracted centre could well ease the club's financial situation following their off-season spending spree.
As first reported by James Hooper ofย Fox Sports,ย the 23-year-old has met with both Michael Maguire and Wests' director of football Tim Sheens about the prospects of a shift up Burwood Road.
Should the Tigers prove able to coax the ex-Origin back to Concord, it would be done this off-season with Wests reportedly pushing the Bulldogs for an immediate release.
While the merged club will now be seen as the frontrunner for the ACT native's services given their $1 million repository, the Tigers aren't the only team in the market, with previous reports suggesting that Cotric could well return to Canberra on a similar deal.
However, when speaking with Hooper, Sheens remained quietly confident that his club's claws could snare them the centre.
โItโs certainly nowhere near being done but weโve met with the lad and Madge likes what he could add to the roster,โ Sheens explained.
โWeโre not the only club at the table so weโll just have to let it take its course and see how it plays out."
Having served the first of his three-year deal with the Dogs in 2021, Cotric is still owed in the vicinity of $1.2 million by the Belmore based side.
Still, with Canterbury having purchased a fleet of new names that are set to call the club home either this pre-season or next, the blue and white brigade are said to be left with just $500,000 to fill the final seven slots on their roster for 2023.
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While Maguire already has the ability to call on names such as Daine Laurie, David Nofoaluma, Ken Maumalo, Tommy Talau and James Roberts next season, Sheens suggested it was still an area the Tigers were looking to strengthen.
โWeโve obviously got Daine Laurie coming back from injury and the good thing with Nick is he grew up playing fullback, has also played on the wing and can play in the centres,โ the premiership coach stated.
โSo from that point of view he could provide us with depth in a number of positions.โ
Should the Wests win out in their chase for two-time Kangaroo's signature, Cotric will call his third club home in as many seasons next year.
