Canterbury Bulldogs back-rower Josh Jackson admits every club in the NRL would be interested in skipper James Graham if he were to be made available amidst speculation the experienced prop could depart Belmore at the end of the season.
With several news reports indicating Graham will be one of the first players to be moved on in Canterbury's quest to fit under the NRL's proposed 9.4 million salary cap for 2018, Jackson maintains the players are left in the dark with their teammates' futures.
Jackson's future is reportedly "safe" at the Bulldogs, but it was news to the 26-year-old who maintains he's not ever needed a guarantee from the club personally.
"As far as I'm concerned, and I'm sure as far as James is concerned, he is going to be here next year," Jackson said of Graham.
"He is obviously our leader here and it's great to go out there and play with him every week.
"He is motivational and inspirational on the field. I'd imagine every club in the competition would be interested in a James Graham, but it's all speculation.
"As far as I'm concerned if you've got a contract next year, which the majority of the guys here do, then you've got a job next year.
"It is as simple as that."
The NSW representative also threw his support behind coach Des Hasler, with his future a constant focus in the last two months.
"He deserves more than we've given him this year," Jackson said.
"His work ethic and the preparation that he puts in every week, it deserves a lot more success than what we've given him. You can't fault him one little bit for the game plan or for player management because he is all over it.
"I think he's the man to take us forward out of this disappointing season we've had"
"It's world-class preparation, we go into a game so well prepared and our effort on the field has been really good each week I think, but it just comes down to the 17 players and our execution. I think it has been really poor this year.
"Whether that's a mindset thing, I'm not too sure."
The back-rower's comments come as the Bulldogs ended a four-game losing streak at the weekend with an upset win over the Sea Eagles.
They'll face a Gold Coast Titans side on Saturday under heavy scrutiny themselves after coach Neil Henry was sacked.
"It's great and a winning mood this week, it's real positive and upbeat, not that it's been too dreary but it's always better after a win," Jackson said.
"It would have been good to play like we did against Manly six weeks ago and take a bit of form into the backend of the competition to push for a finals berth.
"[But] you've just got to move on, there's no point dwelling on losses and what could have been, but you take lessons out of every week."
