Luke Thompson has been snapped in pre-season for the Canterbury Bulldogs.
That ends any speculation about the former St Helens forward being unvaccinated, as the Bulldogs hierarchy made it perfectly clear that those who have not had the COVID-19 jab will no longer be involved with the club.
It follows the news that Thompson’s teammate John Asiata has had his contract terminated after refusing the vaccine.
At the same time, the 26-year-old ex-St Helens forward finally succumbed to vaccination pressure. That, however, hasn’t stopped rumours that Canterbury have again offered him to the Wests Tigers, according to the Daily Telegraph.
The Bulldogs will have some major hitters on their books in the next few seasons with new signing Viliame Kikau on a reported $800,000 a year when his contract starts in 2023.
That’s on top of new recruit Reed Mahoney’s $650,000 salary, whilst Thompson is said to be on $800,000 himself, according to Fox Sports.
Thompson had been linked with a move to the Tigers earlier in the season, with head coach Michael Maguire revealing that there had been serious interest in the former St Helens prop back in August, though the Englishman ended up staying with Canterbury.
The fact that he is in training with the Bulldogs suggests there could well be a twist in the tale, despite Thompson apparently being offered to Wests as stated above.
Canterbury also made the point of snapping him not once or twice, but three times in club photos, perhaps making a statement that Thompson was indeed present.
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