As the Bulldogs continue to shuffle their roster, captain Raymond Faitala-Mariner has been told to skip the first day of pre-season training.
Faitala-Mariner was named captain in January, but he now appears to be on the outside looking in as Canterbury embarks on a massive signing spree over the summer. Despite having two years left on his current deal with the Bulldogs, he was given permission to negotiate with other clubs in September.
The first batch of Bulldogs players are required to begin pre-season on Friday, and despite being prepared, the 30-year-old will not be required to attend, according to his manager.
“I have been told that he is not required at training on Friday,” Faitala-Mariner’s manager, Ernesto Santone, told the Sydney Morning Herald.
“We would like to reach an agreement on this as soon as possible.” Despite all of the speculation this season, and being granted permission to speak with other clubs, he still has a contract for 2024 and 2025.
“This is obviously coming from the club, and we need to get to the bottom of it.”
“My conversations with Ray have always indicated that he would be back on November 10th.” I hope to see the club as soon as possible.”
Drew Hutchison, Kurt Mann, Jake Turpin, and Poasa Faamausili have joined the Bulldogs this week, joining Stephen Crichton, Josh Curran, Blake Taaffe, and Jaeman Salmon.
Faitala-Mariner has appeared in 102 NRL games for the Bulldogs since joining the club in 2016 after beginning his career with the Warriors.
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