Cotric set to become a Bulldog after rejecting Raiders re-signing offer

NSW and Australian Test star Nick Cotric is poised to exit Canberra and link with the Bulldogs, providing a sorely needed silver lining to one of the most tumultuous weeks in Belmore's recent history.

Cotric is expected to take Canterbury up on what was originally understood to be a lucrative three-year, $1.8 million offer, that is believed to have been upped further this week to secure the 21-year-old NSW representative. 

Neither club has made an official comment on Cotric's future, however an announcement from Canterbury could come as early as Friday afternoon.

NRL.com understands the Bulldogs have secured his services with a larger annual salary and the chance to shift in-field from the wing to centre.

Cotric is understood to have told Canberra teammates of his decision on Friday following their gutsy upset of the Roosters in Thursday's grand final rematch at the SCG.

The Raiders pushed for an answer on their own bumper five-year deal worth around $2.5 million this week to avoid negotiations dragging on further.

Canberra have been steadfast in their belief that Cotric's best position remains on the wing, and so were unwilling to go beyond an estimated $500,000 a season in the battle to keep him.

With Dean Pay's departure from Canterbury on Tuesday, the lack of coaching certainty had the potential to undermine their pursuit of Cotric, but the Bulldogs have reassured him the chance to play centre remains from next year.

Landing Cotric shapes as a serious coup for the blue and whites as they continue negotiations with No.1 coaching target Trent Barrett.

The club had missed out on Cotric's Canberra teammate John Bateman despite tabling a lucrative deal to the Englishman recently.

Cotric joins the Bulldogs alongside recent arrival Luke Thompson as a marquee signing, while Canterbury still has a serious amount of salary cap space free for 2021 and beyond.