Canterbury Bulldogs forward Josh Curran could be set for a surprise exit from the club as he enters the final 12 months of his contract, with rival NRL teams reportedly circling.
The versatile 26-year-old joined the Bulldogs last year after five seasons with the New Zealand Warriors, where he racked up 60 appearances.
Since donning the blue and white jersey, Curran has featured in 45 matches for the club, often slotting into multiple positions across the forward pack — both in the middle of the field and on the edges.
Despite his adaptability being a key factor in Canterbury’s back-to-back finals campaigns, Curran often flies under the radar compared to his higher-profile teammates.
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However, with Curran contracted to the Bulldogs only until the end of the 2026 season, speculation is mounting that he could attract significant interest from rival clubs for 2027, as he is now free to negotiate with other teams.
Speaking on James Graham’s The Bye Round Podcast, veteran journalist Michael Chammas flagged Curran as one of the players the Bulldogs could potentially move on should they opt to overhaul their roster.
"I'm hearing whispers about Josh Curran, that potentially the Bulldogs, if they need to reshuffle their roster, that he could be one that falls out," Chammas stated.
"I don't know exactly what he's on but it's not like he's playing for peanuts. He's been good for them but I think he's one they deem as a sellable commodity if they need to reshape their roster."
The forward is among 12 Bulldogs players off contract at the end of 2026 who have been allowed to speak with rival teams since November 1.
The list also includes fullback Connor Tracey, Fijian international Viliame Kikau, and promising forwards Daniel Suluka-Fifita, Jack Todd, and Lipoi Hopoi.
As Curran prepares to test the market, the Bulldogs face decisions on how to balance their roster while maintaining a competitive edge, with several key players potentially on the move.