CONFIRMED: Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs surpass the Parramatta Eels to land the signing of a highly rated Halfback from the Sydney Roosters on a five-year $58.5 million deal
In what has been described as one of the most sensational transfer moves in recent NRL history, the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs have officially confirmed the signing of Sydney Roosters’ rising star, Sandon Smith, on a mammoth five-year deal worth $58.5 million. The deal, which sees the Bulldogs outmaneuver fierce rivals Parramatta Eels, has already sent shockwaves through the rugby league community.
For months, speculation swirled around Smith’s future, with both the Bulldogs and Eels in a fierce tug-of-war for the talented halfback’s signature. Reports indicated that the Parramatta Eels had tabled a lucrative offer in a bid to solve their long-term playmaking issues, but the Bulldogs’ determination and financial muscle ultimately proved decisive.
Club officials confirmed on Thursday that the deal was finalized after weeks of negotiations. According to sources close to the talks, Smith was swayed not only by the Bulldogs’ ambitious financial package but also by their long-term vision to restore the club’s dominance in the NRL.
“This is a monumental signing for us,” Bulldogs’ head coach Cameron Ciraldo said. “Sandon Smith is one of the most exciting young halves in the competition. He has the talent, composure, and leadership to take this club to the next level. We believe he will be the centerpiece of our project over the next five years.”
The 21-year-old Smith, who has quickly risen through the Roosters’ ranks, has earned a reputation as one of the brightest prospects in Australian rugby league. Known for his sharp kicking game, vision in attack, and fearless decision-making under pressure, Smith has already drawn comparisons to some of the great halfbacks of the modern era. His move to Belmore marks a new chapter in his career — one that will come with heightened expectations given the size and scale of his contract.
Fans of the Bulldogs have reacted with overwhelming excitement, flooding social media with messages of support and anticipation. Many believe Smith’s arrival could be the turning point the club has been searching for after several seasons of inconsistency.
On the other hand, the news has left Parramatta Eels supporters devastated. The club had reportedly been confident of luring Smith to CommBank Stadium, especially with their urgent need to strengthen their halves combination. Eels coach Brad Arthur expressed disappointment but acknowledged the competitive nature of modern recruitment.
“You win some, you lose some in this game,” Arthur said. “We made Sandon a strong offer, but ultimately, he chose a different direction. We wish him all the best, though we’ll definitely be looking forward to playing against him.”
Smith himself expressed gratitude to the Roosters for nurturing his career while sharing excitement about his future with the Bulldogs. “I’ll always be thankful to the Roosters for the opportunities they’ve given me. But after speaking with the Bulldogs’ management, I felt this was the right step for me. I’m excited to contribute to building something special here.”
With Sandon Smith now set to wear the blue and white for the next five seasons, the Bulldogs have made a powerful statement of intent. The battle to sign him may be over, but the war on the field is only just beginning.
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