Early win for Bulldogs as in-demand prop Max King re-signs

The Canterbury Bulldogs are going to keep hold of strong forward star Max King, with the 26-year-old agreeing to a three-year extension this week despite building interest from other clubs.

King’s deal was expiring after NRL finals were played this year and he was already allowed to speak to other suitors about a 2025 contract, but he has pledged to the Bulldogs early.

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The 26-year-old has been industrious for Canterbury since moving from Melbourne two years ago. He has already played 48 games and quickly established himself as a key part of the Belmore engine room under Cameron Ciraldo. Before joining the Doggies, the 1.88-metre power-runner made 12 appearances for the Storm. He originally broke into the NRL playing in Gold Coast colours, debuting for the Titans in 2017. He played 38 games there before leaving in 2019.

His retention is a particularly big win for the Bulldogs considering the prop market. While juniors are coming through the ranks for several franchises, most clubs have been trying to figure out the puzzle that is front rower shortages for some months already. That demand is only going to grow as veteran players hang up their boots.

“We are keen to keep Max—he’s a great kid and been very good for us,” Phil Gould admitted to Wide World of Sports while contract negotiations were still ongoing earlier this week.

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Gould has been busy in the market scooping up as many forwards as he can find, with the Bulldogs adding Zane Tetevano, Poasa Faamausili, and Daniel Suluka-Fifita to their pack stock heading into 2024. The Sporting Base can only imagine all three stay behind King in the pecking order this season and beyond, however.

The club also let Raymond Faitala-Mariner leave to join the Dragons in the offseason.