Bulldogs sign Budding Star Quartet

The Canterbury Bulldogs this week announced the signing of a quartet of budding stars.

On Monday, the Belmore based club re-signed forwards Dallas McIlwain and Brad Morrin for season 2007, while today they won the race to sign rising stars Aaron Wheatley, from the St George-Illawarra Dragons, and Brent Crisp, from the Canberra Raiders.

McIlwain, currently playing his second season of NRL, is predominately used off the bench as a reserve lock-forward. The 24 year-old has so far played 20 senior matches, while learning his trade with 14 appearances in the Premier League (reserve grade).

For second-rower Morrin, also 24, it was a simple decision having spent his entire life so far in the Canterbury area. The former Moorebank Rams player has played 18 senior games since his Round Seven 2005 debut against the Newcastle Knights.

“Dallas (McIlwain) has been an integral part of the fulltime squad for the past two years and although he has not secured a regular place in first grade his utility value to our football teams is high,” said Bulldogs football manager Bradley Clyde.

“As a local junior Brad (Morrin) has developed incredibly over the past two seasons. The Club is very happy to have him commit because he’s very popular with our squad.”

Today, the Bulldogs went shopping for a fellow forward and found 24 year-old Aaron Wheatley. The Dragons reserve forward has signed with the Bulldogs for season 2007 after five appearances since debuting for the Dragons in Round 11 2004 against Parramatta.

“Aaron burst onto the league scene in 2005 for the Dragons before he was struck down with injury and illness,” commented recruitment manager Keith Onslow.

“That set him back a fair bit as other players such as Michael Henderson took their opportunities. He’s hungry for another go at first grade and will provide us with good depth in the forwards.”

Meanwhile, versatile Raiders’ Jersey Flegg backman Brent Crisp, 20, has signed on with the Bulldogs for two years. The talented winger, who can also cover fullback and goal kicking duties, ditched an AFL career to become one of the shining lights of Rugby League.

Crisp, who is yet to make a senior appearance, has decided to head north and attempt to break into the Bulldogs line-up from 2007.

“Brent was a talented AFL player who turned his hand to league and has proved a point-scoring wiz. We see a lot of promise in him over the next couple of years,” said Onslow.

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