One of the biggest issues that has plagued the Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs in recent years has been their failure to secure a long-term game-controlling half.

The closest they have come to this is when Keiran Foran was at the club between 2018 and 2020.

When on the field Foran significantly improved the Bulldogs but unfortunately his time at the club was riddled with injuries that kept him on the sidelines for large periods.

Since then Kyle Flanagan has been expected to fulfil this role but after losing favour with then head coach Trent Barrett his confidence has suffered but he is now starting to get back to his best under interim coach Michael Potter.

Despite this, the Bulldogs have still been active on the market and are reportedly looking to sign young St George Illawarra Dragons half Jayden Sullivan who is off contract at the end of 2025.

The Sydney Morning Herald’s Adrian Proszenko has revealed that the Bulldogs have kept tabs on Sullivan for a while now and would be his likely destination if he was to ask for and be granted a release.

“As revealed by the Herald back in May, the Bulldogs have identified Sullivan as the playmaker they want,” said Proszenko.

“Given Amone has extended his contract and there’s likelihood of Hunt following suit, Sullivan could well be Matt Burton’s Bulldogs halves partner next year.

 
“At one stage a player swap of Kyle Flanagan for Sullivan was floated – ironically premiership-winning coach Shane Flanagan, Kyle’s father, is a recruiter for the Dragons – but the move never got traction.

“Flanagan junior has done a serviceable job during Canterbury’s mini-revival under interim coach Mick Potter, but Sullivan is considered the man to take the “Family Club” to the next level.”

Sullivan has played in six games for the Red V in 2022 which is the most NRL games he has played in during one season to date.

Upon making his debut in 2020 Sullivan was praised as a future superstar but may need a move away from the Dragons to fulfil his potential.

The Dragons will take on the Cronulla Sutherland Sharks this weekend but Sullivan hasn’t been named in the side.