DES Hasler’s departure could fast track Michael Lichaa’s desire to remain at the Bulldogs despite farewelling the club three weeks ago.
Lichaa is an off-contract free agent after leaving Canterbury following the club’s round 26 victory over St George Illawarra.
He was called on stage after the game and farewelled by the Bulldogs.
But after rediscovering his natural running game during Canterbury’s three-game winning streak to finish the regular season, Lichaa recently revealed he wants to stay at Belmore.
The hooker had been linked to the Dragons, but The Daily Telegraph can reveal he won’t be joining the Red V next season.
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The joint-venture club had expressed interest in Lichaa, but they’ve since cooled on trying to secure his signature.
This leaves Canterbury as the hooker’s most likely destination, with a new contract in the pipeline.
Lichaa is currently holidaying on the Gold Coast and said he had left all contract talks with the Bulldogs in the hands of his manager Sam Ayoub.
“He (Sam) said he is getting everything sorted for me,” Lichaa said.
“I’m up on the Gold Coast for a week, so I’ll forget about it for a week and when I get back hopefully I’ll have something sorted.”
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