Stand-in Canterbury captain Will Hopoate still holds hope of being part of the Bulldogs' all-star backline next year, despite claiming he is in the dark about his future.
Hopoate is at serious risk of being squeezed out of the Bulldogs' roster, coming off contract this year and with two new backs coming to the club.
After signing Nick Cotric and Corey Allan for this season, Josh Addo-Carr and Brent Naden are both locked in for 2022 and beyond.
Matt Burton's highly-publicised arrival in the halves could also push Jake Averillo out wide, while Dallin Waetene-Zelezniak is still signed for next year.
But while Hopoate's big-money deal could allow the Bulldogs to free up some of the salary cap space they need, the former NSW centre is still hopeful of staying at Canterbury.
"That's still up in the air. So I'm not sure," Hopoate told AAP.
"I think the club is heading in a good direction, some of the signings for next year are obviously exciting for the club.
"I enjoy it here at the club and it would be good to stay. But again, it's out of my control.
"I have been in this situation before coming off contract. It's just a matter of timing I suppose, we'll see what happens in the future."
Hopoate has been at the Bulldogs since the start of 2016 and the former NSW and Kangaroos centre has been one of their most consistent players.
Speaking in the preseason, he feels he still has a number of contracts ahead of him as he prepares to turn 30 on Sunday.
But it is clear coach Trent Barrett has made a play for speed in his signings, with fellow outside back Christian Crichton, Nick Meaney, Jayden Okunbor and Tuipulotu Katoa among 16 players off-contract.
"All I can do is try and play the best I can and see what comes off the back of it," Hopoate said.
For the Bulldogs, that must come on Sunday against St George Illawarra.
Canterbury are 1-7 for the second straight year, while in 2018 and 2019 they won just two of their first eight games.
They have made a habit of finishing seasons strong, but know the turnaround must come earlier this year.
"We didn't think we would be 1-7 at the beginning of the year," Hopoate said. "It's gone that way. But we're the only ones who can get ourselves out of the hole.
"We've just got to stick together and try and do that."
