The Mole: 'Dark horse' emerges in race to sign Leo Thompson as one club pulls out
The Bulldogs have gone cold on Knights prop Leo Thompson, leaving three to four clubs battling it out for the star front-rower's signature.
Thompson is the hottest property left on the open market for 2026 and this week told the Knights he would not be signing a new deal with the club.
The Bulldogs met with Thompson and his manager last week but talks did not go far.
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"We had a good meeting but never talked money or contracts," a Bulldogs source told Wide World of Sports.
Leo Thompson is subject to a bidding war. Getty
"He's a good player but he won't be coming here."
The Raiders are now the favourites to sign the rugged prop, with the Dolphins, Parramatta and possibly the Roosters also in contention.
Canberra have the edge, with Thompson's girlfriend an ACT girl and the club having plenty of room in the salary cap.
The Roosters are the dark horse, having lost big men Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Terrell May over the summer.
The club is going through a transition period and is looking for fresh blood as they begin a new era.
FORMER DOLPHIN SET TO RETURN HOME
Journeyman centre Tom Opacic is set to return to where it all began for him - with the Dolphins.
Tom Opacic looks like he's found a home. Getty
The 30-year-old was born and raised in Redcliffe, playing in the Dolphins juniors before getting his NRL break with the Broncos in 2016.
Since then he has had stints with the Cowboys, Eels and Hull KR but is now back in his home town and should add depth to the Dolphins' outside backs in 2025.
A good defender and versatile player who can also fill in on the wing, Opacic probably won't start the year in the top grade but will get plenty of chances in a long season.
GUTHO SET FOR USUAL SPOT
My spy at the Dragons has given me an indication of how the team will line up for 2025.
Clint Gutherson has officially signed with the Dragons. St George Illawarra Dragons
Forget this speculation that big-name signing Clint Gutherson will spend some time in the forwards - 'Gutho' has been training exclusively in his preferred position of fullback.
As for Tyrell Sloan, who looked good in some games at fullback this year, he's been converted to a winger, where his pace and evasive skills could see him score a motza of tries.
BULLDOGS MOVE ON YOUNGSTER
Young centre Eli Clark looked a player of promise in his NRL debut for the Bulldogs this year - but the club has an over-supply of outside backs and has told him his future will probably be better elsewhere.
Eli Clark playing for the Bulldogs. Getty
Clark was a member of the club's fulltime squad in 2024 and with another off season under his belt, should be a formidable ball runner out wide.
Several NRL clubs have expressed interest in the 22-year-old, who also played three trials in the top grade at the start of this season, and he should announce his new club soon.
