Aug 11th, 2019

Aug 11th, 2019

The Bulldogs' recruitment drive is poised to suffer a blow, with the club set to miss out on Kiwi Test prop Herman Ese'see for next season.

After a disastrous year, the Bulldogs have money to spend and were targeting three big names: Jesse Ramien, Apisai Koroisau and Ese'ese.

Of the three, Knights prop Ese'ese was considered the most likely to join the club - but things have changed.

Ramien and Koroisau have both increased their asking price and as a result, the Bulldogs now cannot afford all three.

Sources within the Bulldogs ranks have told Wide World of Sports that of the trio, the club is most likely to drop off Ese'ese.

Knights prop Herman Ese'ese (R). (AAP)

The Bulldogs are desperate for a top-rate hooker, so Koroisau is a priority. They have scored the least points in the NRL after 20 games, so they also see Ramien as a vital signing.

Several rival clubs are certain to target Ese'ese, who has been let go by the Knights for next year due to salary cap pressure.