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Canberra chief executive Don Furner is so desperate to keep key fullback Josh Dugan that he'd be willing to extend his NRL contract on a year-by-year basis.
Furner said negotiations with Dugan had stalled as the club closed in on deals with Blake Ferguson and Jarrod Croker, which he is hoping to have locked away by the end of the week.
He is desperate to have Dugan signed, sealed and delivered by the close of the season but said he was waiting on Dugan's management to signal the 21-year-old is ready to talk.
"We're happy to do two years, three years, or if he just wanted to go year by year," Furner said.
As to Croker and Ferguson, Furner believes the deals will be done by early next week at the latest.
"I'm confident I'll get them done but nothing's been signed," Furner said.
"I've got a bit more manoeuvring to do."
Furner said signs were also looking good for hooker Glen Buttriss to re-sign with the club.
Buttriss came on in the 30th minute of Monday night's game against St George Illawarra and provided the spark that started the Raiders' comeback from 12 points down.
But Dugan, who scored the key try that put the Raiders over the line, remains the focus.
"He's a priority," Furner said.
"We'll commence negotiations when his manager indicates he's ready to talk."
Furner said negotiations with Dugan had stalled as the club closed in on deals with Blake Ferguson and Jarrod Croker, which he is hoping to have locked away by the end of the week.
He is desperate to have Dugan signed, sealed and delivered by the close of the season but said he was waiting on Dugan's management to signal the 21-year-old is ready to talk.
"We're happy to do two years, three years, or if he just wanted to go year by year," Furner said.
As to Croker and Ferguson, Furner believes the deals will be done by early next week at the latest.
"I'm confident I'll get them done but nothing's been signed," Furner said.
"I've got a bit more manoeuvring to do."
Furner said signs were also looking good for hooker Glen Buttriss to re-sign with the club.
Buttriss came on in the 30th minute of Monday night's game against St George Illawarra and provided the spark that started the Raiders' comeback from 12 points down.
But Dugan, who scored the key try that put the Raiders over the line, remains the focus.
"He's a priority," Furner said.
"We'll commence negotiations when his manager indicates he's ready to talk."
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