Just reading this article wondering what you bulldogs fans think about it?
Sat Aug 16, 8:44am (NSW)
Written by: Matthew O'Neill
Source: Canterbury Bulldogs Supporters Site
Bulldogs centre Willie Talau will join St Helens sooner than expected after the club has agreed to loan him to his new club to help with a crippling injury toll. Talau has been struggling in reserve grade all season after being injured in Round 7 earlier this year.
The emergence and form of youngster Ben Harris has firmly shut the door on Talau and it was no surprise when Talau accepted the large money offer from St Helens earlier in the year. Harris' form has him listed as an outside chance to make the Kangaroo Tour squad as one of the four centres and he's a definate representative player of the future.
St Helens have been hit by injuries this season with former Bulldogs captain Darren Britt being forced into retirement earlier in the week. Saints coach Ian Millward sent a request to the Bulldogs if they could have access to Talau sooner than later, which was accepted by the Bulldogs board.
Bulldogs chairman Dr George Peponis said, "Ideally we would prefer to have him here in case we get injuries. But we've put in a clause that we can call him back at any time should we need him."
Talau would be immediately rushed into the Bulldogs first grade team if injuries occured to Harris and Nigel Vagana or even the other outside backs in Luke Patten, Matthew Utai and Hazem El Masri.
There's a chance that Talau could play in two Grand Finals this year with the Bulldogs on October 5 and St Helens on October 18 if the ball bounces in his favour and both clubs qualify for the decider.
Peponis went on to say, "It's an unusual situation but we don't want to stand in the way of his career. Willie's given the Bulldogs good service over the years and he's got an opportunity to earn good money over there."
It would have been a tough decision for the Bulldogs to make but one that is unselfish and helping another club in need. Loaning players to have clubs has been in the British game for years and does help to spread the talent and expose players to match practice conditions or first grade experience.
Talau was wasting his time in reserve grade and the chance to link with St Helens sooner than expected gives him the chance to win a premiership and the Bulldogs will still have immediate access to Talau until October 5 should they suffer any injuries. It's a win for all parties - especially Talau.
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Sat Aug 16, 8:44am (NSW)
Written by: Matthew O'Neill
Source: Canterbury Bulldogs Supporters Site
Bulldogs centre Willie Talau will join St Helens sooner than expected after the club has agreed to loan him to his new club to help with a crippling injury toll. Talau has been struggling in reserve grade all season after being injured in Round 7 earlier this year.
The emergence and form of youngster Ben Harris has firmly shut the door on Talau and it was no surprise when Talau accepted the large money offer from St Helens earlier in the year. Harris' form has him listed as an outside chance to make the Kangaroo Tour squad as one of the four centres and he's a definate representative player of the future.
St Helens have been hit by injuries this season with former Bulldogs captain Darren Britt being forced into retirement earlier in the week. Saints coach Ian Millward sent a request to the Bulldogs if they could have access to Talau sooner than later, which was accepted by the Bulldogs board.
Bulldogs chairman Dr George Peponis said, "Ideally we would prefer to have him here in case we get injuries. But we've put in a clause that we can call him back at any time should we need him."
Talau would be immediately rushed into the Bulldogs first grade team if injuries occured to Harris and Nigel Vagana or even the other outside backs in Luke Patten, Matthew Utai and Hazem El Masri.
There's a chance that Talau could play in two Grand Finals this year with the Bulldogs on October 5 and St Helens on October 18 if the ball bounces in his favour and both clubs qualify for the decider.
Peponis went on to say, "It's an unusual situation but we don't want to stand in the way of his career. Willie's given the Bulldogs good service over the years and he's got an opportunity to earn good money over there."
It would have been a tough decision for the Bulldogs to make but one that is unselfish and helping another club in need. Loaning players to have clubs has been in the British game for years and does help to spread the talent and expose players to match practice conditions or first grade experience.
Talau was wasting his time in reserve grade and the chance to link with St Helens sooner than expected gives him the chance to win a premiership and the Bulldogs will still have immediate access to Talau until October 5 should they suffer any injuries. It's a win for all parties - especially Talau.
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