Canterbury utility Nick Cotric’s potential move to a rival club is being held up as franchises looks to lock in their playing squads for 2022.
Cotric, 23, is currently signed to the Bulldogs until the end of the 2023 season on a deal worth $650,000 per year.
With Canterbury making a raft of big name signings, Cotric has been deemed surplus to requirements with the club allowing him to pursue other opportunities.
It’s believed that Cotric’s former club Canberra, alongside Parramatta and the Wests Tigers are ready to pounce should he depart Belmore.
While the Eels are reportedly keen, SEN’s Michelle Bishop says they’re waiting on Junior Paulo’s decision before genuinely pursuing the winger.
“On Nick Cotric, a few things need to fall into place,” Bishop explained on SEN 1170 Breakfast.
“Parramatta are holding things up here, they tabled an offer last week to retain Junior Paulo, that’s a bit of a wait and see.
“But, they’re also in the market for the Raiders' Bailey Simonsson, they need him to replace Blake Ferguson.”
While the Tigers have confirmed their interest and are reportedly willing to pay Cotric’s full salary, Bishop has the Raiders as the “front runners” to secure his services.
“The Wests Tigers have indicated they’d be keen to sign Nick Cotric, they met with him last week,” Bishop said.
“The Raiders aren’t out of the equation yet, I think they’re still the front runners at the moment. I still think Nick Cotric will return to the Raiders for 2022.
“There’s a bit to go on there but Parramatta are just holding things up.”
Cotric played 93 games with the Raiders between 2017 and 2020 before moving to the Bulldogs where he appeared 14 times in the 2021 season.