The Bulldogs are reportedly set to receive a big boost with star back-rower Viliame Kikau in talks over a two-year contract extension to remain at Belmore.
The Daily Telegraph reported the Bulldogs have held informal talks with Kikau about extending his stay at the club until the end of the 2028 season.
The 30-year-old has been linked to a move to rugby union previously with several overseas clubs reportedly interested in his services.
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NRL clubs will also be lining up to talk to Kikau when the November 1 deadline passes, as he comes off-contract in 2026 and is free to negotiate with rivals next month.
However, the Bulldogs are keen to extend Kikau’s stay at Belmore into a sixth season after he joined the club in 2023 from the Panthers.
Kikau is on a reported $800,000 a season after inking a four year deal in 2023, but could command even more on the open market, especially with the Perth Bears on the lookout for marquee signings.
However, the Bulldogs will do everything in their power to get Kikau to stay at the club.
Canterbury consider Kikau a vital piece of their forward pack with his ability to make big plays with his running and passing games and of course his intimidation factor with his bone rattling defence.
Re-signing Kikau would also help bring more Fijian players to the club following the launch of the Kikau Academy and the partnership between the Bulldogs and Kaiviti Silktails that began in 2024.
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Viliame Kikau is in talks over a bulldogs extension.Source: The Daily Telegraph
Kikau praised the Bulldogs for their support of his Academy initiative earlier this season.
“[The support] has been massive,” Kikau told NRL.com.
“I’ve been getting messages from Gus after the games, ‘how good was that’. It’s really exciting to see the boys develop and learn new skills. It’s good to see them get a couple of wins.”
Kikau has scored 50 tries in 177 NRL games for the Panthers and Bulldogs since his debut in 2017, including back-to-back premierships with Penrith in 2021 and 2022.
The fiery forward has also scored 11 tries in 18 Tests for Fiji to date, including playing in the 2017 and 2022 World Cups.
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DRAGONS ENFORCER A WANTED MAN
Dragons star Jaydn Su’A is reportedly set to garner a wave of interest when he hits the open market come November 1, including pursuits from rugby union clubs.
According to Code Sports, multiple rugby franchises are reportedly set to make a play for Su’A, who has previously been linked to rebel competition R360.
The 28-year-old has a player option for the 2027 season, and if he doesn’t take it up he will become a free agent.
The fact Su’A played rugby union before he began his full-time NRL career could see him chase big-money deals in the 15-man code.
However, there will reportedly be no shortage of rugby league clubs hopeful of landing the gun back row.
The Titans could be one suitor for the Queensland representative, with David Fifita set to depart for the Rabbitohs and Beau Fermor also going to market.
Su’A previously told The Illawarra Mercury that he has enjoyed his time under Dragons coach Shane Flanagan, who will be desperate to retain his star man.
“Flanno’s been really good, especially for me personally,” Su’A said.
“He’s really honest. He tells you things that sometimes you don’t want to hear but sometimes it’s what you need to hear. He’s a coach I like playing for and a coach the boys like.”
Jaydn Su’A of the Dragons could have several suitors circling.Source: Getty Images
KNIGHTS REJECT LINKED TO RAIDERS IN MENTOR ROLE
The Canberra Raiders are reportedly interested in signing Knights playmaker Jackson Hastings after he was released by the Newcastle club following the 2025 season.
Zero Tackle reported Hastings is on the radar of the Raiders, who are looking to strengthen their halves depth after the departure of Jamal Fogarty to the Sea Eagles on a three-year deal.
Ethan Sanders had been tipped to take over from Fogarty at halfback in 2026 and form a new look halves partnership with boom Kangaroos tourist Ethan Sanders for the Green Machine.
However, the 21-year-old has just four games of NRL experience after playing two games for the Eels in his rookie season in 2024 and two games for Canberra last season.
Sanders has defensive issues with his game and is still very green for a playmaker trying to steer last year’s minor premiers around the park full-time next season.
Fogarty has 118 games of NRL experience to his name and was a huge part of the Raiders’ success last season, before inking a big deal to be Daly Cherry-Evans’ replacement at Manly.
Jackson Hastings has been linked with the Raiders.Source: Getty Images
Hastings, 29, has scored 10 tries and 75 goals in 106 NRL games for the Roosters, Sea Eagles, Tigers and Knights since his debut in 2014.
He also scored 28 tries in 87 Super League games for Salford and Wigan over four seasons from 2018 to 2021, including winning the Man of Steel.
However, he fell out of favour in his last two season at the Knights and played just five games in 2025, despite being on a mega $800,000 a season contract.
Hastings’ career has been plagued by attitude issues, which saw him leave training after being dropped for Jack Cogger in 2024.
However, the Raiders see him as a potential player that can help mentor the young Sanders and share the halfback duties until he is ready to take over full-time in the coming seasons.
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