Jacob Preston will remain a Bulldog.

The talented backrower has signed a new four-year deal that will keep the 24-year-old at Belmore until the end of 2031.

After months of haggling and management pressure, the Bulldogs prevented the future representative backrower from hitting the open market on November 1.

The new four-year deal is understood to be worth around $3 million.

Canterbury was always confident of retaining Preston with the powerful ballrunner informing GM of football Phil Gould last week that he intended to stay at the club.

Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo took umbrage with reports last week that the club had disrespected the rising star by ‘low balling an offer to him’’.

“Our season has been on the line the last couple of weeks and it has been quite disappointing that those things have come out through the media in those times,’’ Ciraldo said.

“We just love Jacob as a person I trust in him and we’ll get there in the end.

“Some of the stuff that you’re telling me is the first I’ve heard of it, it’d be better dealt with internally than externally.”

Preston’s influence on the club was revealed in the wake of their win over the Dragons last weekend.

Ciraldo revealed he was on a drip dealing with an infection ahead of the match.

The deal is a major boost for the Dogs ahead of a must-win clash with the Panthers on Friday night.

“He actually didn’t train with us the last two days, he was in hospital with an infection, so he was on a drip the last couple of days, so maybe might have to do that next week as well because he played pretty good.’’

Canterbury are yet to re-sign five-eighth turned centre Matt Burton, who has delayed a decision on a contract extension until after the season.

Burton is signed until the end of 2027 but will attract offers from rival clubs if he hits the open market on November 1.

Preston’s new deal is a major boost for the Bulldogs ahead of a must-win clash with the Panthers on Friday night.

Following the Panthers’ clash, the Bulldogs will finish their home-and-away season against Brisbane at Accor Stadium next Thursday.

Canterbury are one win behind South Sydney and North Queensland, who occupy the final two places in the top eight, and will likely need to win their remaining matches to force their way into finals calculations

Souths face the Gold Coast and Sydney Roosters, while the Cowboys take on the Wests Tigers and Canberra as they look to cement their places in the post-season.

PANTHERS STAR PUTS CONTRACT TALKS ON HOLD AS NOVEMBER 1 LOOMS

—Dean Ritchie

Liam Martin and the Panthers have suspended all contract talks until after this season.

The development follows a meeting on Tuesday between Martin’s manager, Allan Gainey, Panthers general manager of football, Shane Elford, and Penrith chief executive Matt Cameron.

Despite deferring talks, Gainey remains “confident” a deal can be struck.

“Talks were productive,” Gainey said.

“Both parties are mindful of the timing and potential distractions around upcoming finals.

“We are confident we can get to a mutually beneficial position once the Panthers have finished their commitments for 2026.”

All parties left the meeting feeling “comfortable” about an impending deal being reached.

It is understood Martin is at ease over contract talks being put on hold which will allow him to focus solely on the upcoming finals.

No offer was lodged at the meeting.

Martin is hoping for a three-year deal worth up to $1m a season.

The NSW State of Origin backrower comes off contract after next season and will enter the November 1 open market if contract talks at Penrith stall.

Martin has been previously linked to the PNG Chiefs.

Just last week, Gainey claimed Martin had accepted “unders” in previous contracts at Penrith.

The Panthers have four star players coming off contract after 2027 – Martin, Nathan Cleary, Moses Leota and Isaah Yeo.

Yeo appears certain to re-sign in coming weeks while the Panthers remain confident of retaining Cleary despite speculation he would go to November 1.

Parramatta has withdrawn any interest in Leota.

Cameron and Elford are working intensely and diligently to find enough money in a cluttered salary cap to re-sign their powerful quartet.

Mitch Kenny has extended until 2031 with Paul Alamoti and Isaiah Papali’i re-signing until the end of 2029.

Martin will line-up for Penrith in Friday’s big game against Canterbury at CommBank Stadium.