Apr 22nd, 2019

Apr 22nd, 2019

The Bulldogs are set to chase the man rated as the best forward in England: Luke Thompson.

Desperate for more muscle up front, the Bulldogs have targeted Thompson, who at just 23 has already racked up more than 130 games for St Helens and four Tests for England.

The young giant was the star of Great Britain’s Test series win over the Kiwis late last year and has a big future in the game.

But he won’t be easy to lure down under - St Helens are trying to extend his deal and several big-spending English clubs also have their eyes on him.

If they do get him, though, he will give Dean Pay’s pack a massive boost in coming years.

Luke Thompson. (PA AAP)

ANOTHER BRONCO LINKED TO BUNNIES

Promising Broncos youngster Gehamat Shibasaki is the latest player to be linked to South Sydney, as the club searches for an outside back to replace Greg Inglis.

Wayne Bennett handed the 20-year-old, of Torres Strait Islands, Japanese and Malaysian descent, his top-grade debut at the Broncos last season and he looked solid in two NRL games.

He has been named in the Broncos’ initial squad several times this season, including last weekend against Canberra, before being cut from the final 17.

Souths are worried about their depth out wide following Inglis’ retirement and see Shibasaki as a possible replacement - along with his Broncos teammate James Roberts.

Gehamat Shibasaki. (AAP)

TITANS COACH'S CRUCIAL D.I.Y. MOVE

Titans coach Garth Brennan had changed his ways after the club’s disastrous start to the season - and it may just have saved his job.

For the first time in their history, the Titans lost their opening four games, prompting the knives to come out for Brennan on the glitter strip.

But I’ve heard that after that first month, Brennan decided to take a more 'hands on' role in coaching the team, concentrating less on recruitment and other tasks.

He made fixing the team’s leaky defence a priority and the Titans immediately improved, to come up with back-to-back wins over the Panthers and Knights.

The dual wins at home mean Brennan’s job is safe again - for the short term at least.

Blayke Brailey. (AAP)

ROOSTERS MISS OUT ON SHARKS HOOKER

The Roosters had their eyes on Blayke Brailey as the long-term replacement for Jake Friend, but their plans went down the toilet when the promising young hooker signed a new deal with the Sharks last week.

So the Roosters may now look at Brailey’s older brother Jayden, who has been the Sharks’ starting No.9 this season.

The brothers have admitted in the media that it is inevitable that they will have to split up sometime in the future, as both play the same position. It could well be at the end of next season, when Jayden is a free agent.