Ex-St Helens star Luke Thompson posts incredible stats from first Canterbury Bulldogs appearance as his future gets laid bare

Ex-St Helens star Luke Thompson has been one of the Canterbury Bulldogs’ shining lights since joining midway through the 2020 NRL season.

With an incredible run rate and speed to match a winger, Thompson has settled in well in Australia, despite constant rumours linking him with a move away from Belmore.

And, with Canterbury just about overcoming the North Queensland Cowboys on Sunday by 6-4, Thompson was handed the man-of-the-match with some incredible statistics during the game.

The former St Helens forward made 13 hit-ups, gained over 140 metres and made 46 tackles in an impressive showing.

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Meanwhile, Ryan Sutton’s impending transfer to Canterbury means there is a salary cap squeeze at Belmore, which could end with Thompson finally making his exit from the club after speculation throughout the off-season.

“The Wests Tigers last year were interested in Luke Thompson, there has been some other clubs circling around Luke Thompson and he has a year to go on his deal beyond this year,” Brent Read told Triple M.

“I think someone is going to have to go, that is just a fait accompli….. well I think Thompson is a chance of leaving to be fair at the end of the year.

“I know he is saying in my mind I will be here next year, I just think someone’s got to go and the guy who has to go will be someone that other clubs want.

“He is a guy that other clubs want…. and Canterbury aren’t going to throw a heap of money in for him so you have to have a saleable asset and he is a saleable asset I’d imagine for other clubs, so he is the logical one.”