The Canterbury Bulldogs' versatile forward, Josh Curran, is reportedly on the verge of a surprise exit, with his contract set to expire in the final 12 months. This news comes as a shock, considering Curran's pivotal role in the team's recent success. Since joining the club last year after a five-season stint with the New Zealand Warriors, Curran has been an integral part of the Bulldogs' forward pack, playing in both middle and edge positions. His contributions have been instrumental in the team's back-to-back finals series appearances, and his performance has been highly underrated compared to other squad members.
However, the Bulldogs' future plans may lead to a surprising development. As Curran's contract nears its end, he is now free to negotiate with rival teams for the 2027 NRL season. This freedom has sparked interest from other clubs, and journalist Michael Chammas revealed on James Graham's The Bye Round Podcast that Curran could be squeezed out of the Bulldogs if the club decides to reshape its roster and forward stocks.
"I've heard whispers about Josh Curran," Chammas said. "If the Bulldogs need to reshuffle their roster, he might be one of the players they consider selling. While he's been good for them, he's not cheap. They might see him as a valuable commodity if they need to make changes."
Curran is one of 12 Bulldogs players who are off-contract at the end of the 2026 NRL season, but they have been free to speak with rival teams since November 1. Other players in this category include fullback Connor Tracey, Fijian international and star back-rower Viliame Kikau, young forward Daniel Suluka-Fifita, Jack Todd, and Lipoi Hopoi. This situation raises questions about the Bulldogs' future strategy and the potential impact on the team's dynamics.
