Canberra has turned down an approach from the Sydney Roosters to release Glen Buttriss or Matt McIlwrick, with Raiders coach Ricky Stuart determined to promote competition in key spots and depth in his squad next year.
The Roosters inquired about Buttriss and McIlwrick before
signing Gold Coast Titans hooker Matt Srama to a one-year deal on Thursday. The 23-year-old is to play as a back-up to Jake Friend.
Friend is expected to miss as many as 10 rounds at the start of the 2015 season due to shoulder surgery, forcing the Roosters to target what seemed to be a surplus of hookers at the Raiders and Titans.
The Raiders have recruited England hooker Josh Hodgson, adding to a list of potential rakes that includes Buttriss, McIlwrick, Josh McCrone and Kurt Baptiste. Rookie Mitch Cronin is also training with Canberra's NRL squad in the pre-season.
Read more at the SMH.com.auMore:
http://www.zerotackle.com/nrl/canberra-raiders-hold-on-to-hookers-15794/
Topic: Canberra Raiders hold on to hookers
