The Mole: Bulldogs keen to lock up Jake Preston to long-term deal
The Bulldogs are attempting to lock up boom young forward Jake Preston onto a long-term deal after just five NRL matches.
One of the heroes of Sunday's epic golden point win over the Cowboys with two tries, Preston was a total unknown when the season kicked off.
But after five rounds, he is proving to be a leading contender for rookie of the year honours.
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The 21-year-old back-rower is already signed until the end of 2024 but the Bulldogs know rival clubs are likely to attempt to steal him after that.
Jake Preston scores for the Bulldogs. Getty
"He has been great for us," Bulldogs supremo Phil Gould told Wide World of Sports.
"We are meeting with his manager Wayde Rushton this week and hope we can work something out."
A Manly junior, Preston played the past two seasons for the Roosters in the Flegg Cup.
He moved to the Bulldogs this year in search of opportunity and impressed new coach Cameron Ciraldo with his attitude and application in the pre-season and trials.
The strapping forward won a place on the bench for round one - and hasn't looked back.
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