Canterbury tie up new coach and Australian international winger for 2021

Canterbury Bulldogs have appointed Trent Barrett as their head coach from 2021, whilst also confirming the signing of Australian international Nick Cotric from Canberra.

The club confirmed last week that it had parted ways with Dean Pay, who had been in charge since 2018 but only managed 19 wins from 57 games, with the club currently sitting bottom of the NRL table.

Barrett, who spent two seasons with Wigan as a player, will see out the remainder of 2020 in his current role as Penrith assistant coach, before linking up with the Bulldogs for three years ahead of next season.

His only previous head coaching role was with Manly, who he led between 2016 and 2018.

“The club has a long and proud history of success in rugby league and is founded on strong work ethics and family values,” Barrett said. “I look forward to, and am excited by, the challenges ahead in terms of making this club a serious competition force again.”

21-year-old winger Cotric has penned a three-year deal and will leave the Raiders after four years in the first team.

He debuted in 2017 and has since made over 80 appearances, scoring 37 tries and earning a call-up to the Australia squad last year.

On the signing, Bulldogs chief executive Andrew Hill said: “Signing a player of Nick’s ability and class is a massive boost for our club moving forward and another step in strengthening our squad to lead us into the future.”