‘Impossible to comprehend’ ex-St Helens star Luke Thompson’s potential move

The future of Canterbury Bulldogs star Luke Thompson continues to do the rounds, despite the former St Helens man being one of the NRL club’s brightest sparks in 2022.

The Englishman is on big bucks next year and there has been talk over the past year that the Canterbury Bulldogs would be open to letting the 26-year-old go in a bid to ease salary cap pressure, with Viliame Kikau and Reed Mahoney already on their way to Canterbury next season.

Previously, the Daily Telegraph had revealed that Melbourne Storm were sniffing round the Super League Grand Final winner.

Storm will be losing veteran prop Jesse Bromwich to new franchise the Dolphins as they begin their NRL story in 2023.

Thompson was reportedly offered to the Wests Tigers before the season started, but he is determined to stay at Belmore until the end of his contract – however, he is unsure where his future lies beyond that.

“I’m not really sure about the rumours, they didn’t really come from me,” Thompson told the Daily Telegraph.

“I signed a three-year contract at the Bulldogs and I have every intention of fulfilling my contract.

“I am really looking forward to the season ahead and the year after.

“Going back home is always going to be an option but I think I will decide when it comes around to it. I’m enjoying my time over here [Australia] at the minute.”

Thompson has been one of the bright sparks for Canterbury since joining and has earned himself a reputation Down Under for bulldozing runs and big hits in defence.

And, for one publication, even the thought of Thompson leaving is ‘impossible to comprehend’.

Sporting News said: “Despite being contracted until the end of next season, there were rumours the Bulldogs were looking to offload Thompson in the pre-season to a willing buyer.

“Given the English prop has been one of the club’s strongest performers since arriving midway through 2020 from the Super League, this is impossible to comprehend.

“If the Bulldogs are to have any success in the coming years post-Barrett, they’ll desperately need a tough and uncompromising leader in the middle of the field and Thompson fits that bill perfectly.”