As the preparations for the 2021 campaign ramp up again at Belmore with the team heading into their third week of the pre-season, Canterbury currently have three spots still available in their top 30 before the June 30 deadline.
Under the terms of the CBA between the NRL and RLPA, each club is required to have the contracts of a minimum of 24 players registered by November 1.
Twenty-nine players must be contracted by the start of next March, with the final roster spot to be filled by June 30 next year.
The current NRL contracted squad stands at 27 players following Reimis Smith being granted a release by the club and the release of Blake Green after an agreement was reached between the club and the Newcastle Knights that will see the five-eighth remain with the Knights in 2021.
Speaking on Breakfast with Vossy, Head Coach Trent Barrett was asked by Andrew Voss about the club’s current recruitment and retention situation and whether there were any more signings to come in the coming weeks or is it completed for the year.
“No, definitely not done and dusted. We’ve got three spots still available and obviously one will be held for Matt Burton if we can try and do a deal and get him out a year early. The other two spots, we have a very clear idea of what we need and who we need to go after.
“We only want quality people coming into the club and we need quality players. We’re not going to rush into a decision and sign someone for more than 12 months if we don’t think they’re the right fit for the place going forward.
“You only get one chance at this sort of stuff and I wouldn’t say it’s a rebuild by any means, but we need to make sure we nail our recruitment. There’s some really good players coming off in the coming seasons and we need to put ourselves in a position to get them.
“Just in the time I have been here it’s a really good football club and I can see why they have been so successful over so many years. It’s a great place to be, got a really good feel about and it’s exciting,” Barrett confirmed this morning.
Ferris happy with squad's progression
It’s a new beginning at Belmore with a host of changes over the off-season, including a new look training kit, facilities, training regime and a brand new Coaching and High Performance staff.
The players have been back at work for two weeks and with so much change, the application and commitment from the playing group has impressed the coach.
“I have only had the two weeks here with them. They’re like sponges. They’re a really good group, they train really hard, they’re very willing and intent on getting better and that’s the main thing.
“There’s some work to do no doubt, but in terms of attitude and commitment to the cause, I couldn’t ask for any more from them. Our jobs as coaches is to make each individual better and it’s certainly not about us. It’s about the players and the club, and they’re doing really well.
“If we can keep adding a little bit of talent here and there in places we need it, we will. But in saying that, there’s some players here that we are happy with,” added Barrett.
Barrett provides insight to new beginnings at Belmore
