Bulldogs re-sign Kasiano on three year deal

by NRL

Canterbury have secured the services of boom front rower Sam Kasiano long term with the giant youngster signing a new three year deal with the Club.

The signing caps a big start to 2012 for the 196cm, 122kg 21-year old, who took his tally of NRL appearances to 31 in last Monday nights' clash with the Sydney Roosters having debuted in round one of the 2011 season.

The new deal will see Kasiano, who joined the Bulldogs from Auckland via Brisbane in 2010, remain a Bulldog until at least the end of the 2015 NRL season.

"I love the Bulldogs," Kasiano says of his decision to re-sign. "They gave me a start and I'm really happy to be staying.

"I've loved playing first grade over the last couple of seasons and I'm looking forward to playing more with the boys in future.

"Des and the coaching staff have helped a lot to improve my game this year. Hopefully I can keep improving."

Bulldogs chief executive officer Todd Greenberg says Kasiano was a priority signing for the Club.

"Sam came to us as a very green Toyota Cup player midway through 2010 and even in the very early days we knew he was a player of enormous potential," Greenberg says. "We feel that potential is only just starting to be realised.

"What we have seen this year is the result of the commitment and effort he has put in under the leadership of our coaching staff.

"Sam is still very young and has a lot of development left in him, on and off the field, which is why we moved quickly to lock him up long term."

Recruited to the Club in early 2010 from Brisbane Norths, Kasiano quickly won selection in the Bulldogs Toyota Cup side which eventually fell one game short of a berth in that year's Grand Final, playing 21 out of 22 matches from his debut in round five.

In March 2011 he made his NRL debut in the Bulldogs round one win over the Wests Tigers at ANZ Stadium, and at the end of the season took out the Club's rookie of the year award.

He has started each of the Bulldogs 12 games so far this season, winning man of the match honours in the round nine 46-12 win over Parramatta at ANZ Stadium.

"Sam is developing into a consistent NRL player with a host of skills that compliment the game," Bulldogs head coach Des Hasler said.

"He is certainly one who will continue to improve on the back of an already athletic frame."

SAM KASIANO
Born: 21/09/1990, Auckland NZ
Junior Clubs: Otahuhu Leopards (NZ), Aspley, Brisbane Norths (Qld)
Position: Front Row
Height: 196cm
Weight: 122kg
NRL Matches: 31
NRL Points: 4 (1T)
Club & First Grade Debut: v Wests Tigers, ANZ Stadium, Round 1, 14/03/2011

Your thoughts?