Sonny Bill Williams is hot
property

The great game of rugby league could be only months away from the biggest bidding war in its history with Bulldogs back rower Sonny Bill Williams ready to test his value on the open market.

Williams, who emerged as the game's latest superstar in 2004, is one of six high-profile Bulldogs players off contract at the end of this season.

His manager Gavin Orr met with Bulldogs chief executive Malcolm Noad, coach Steve Folkes and football manager Bradley Clyde prior to Christmas.

However, Orr emerged no closer to agreeing a new long-term deal and indicated Williams would test his worth when the NRL's anti-tampering deadline expired on June 30.

"It looks like Sonny will be heading to the June 30 deadline," Orr said.

"The last meeting I had with Malcolm, Brad and Steve Folkes, a decision wasn't agreed to.

"We have said we will sit and wait at this stage. We're going to see what's out there for Sonny."

What's out there?

More than likely a queue of clubs ready to offer the world to rugby league's hottest property.

After only one season in first grade, Williams is among the game's most marketable identities.

The 19-year-old starred as the Bulldogs won the premiership and made his Test debut for New Zealand, more than holding his own in international company.

The Bulldogs are desperate to tie the teenager to a long-term deal but face a juggling act to keep Williams and maintain their premiership-winning squad.

"I can tell you we have been negotiating with him and we are keen to secure him before the deadline," Clyde said.

"We're looking at signing all our guys."

Orr said Williams' preference was to remain at Belmore.

"Obviously his first priority would be to stay at the Bulldogs," Orr said.

"It's just one of those things. I'm just looking after my client like all the other managers are looking after theirs."

Orr has been swamped with sponsorship offers for the classy Kiwi and said sportswear company Nike was looking to Williams as an athlete capable of having a similar impact to former All Black Jonah Lomu.

"I'm looking at proposals from somewhere between 20 and 30 companies," Orr said.

"I wouldn't imagine that would happen with many people in the NRL.

"He could be the first athlete to transcend the sport of rugby league, as Jonah Lomu did in New Zealand."

The Bulldogs are set to open the season with speculation swirling around the future of a handful of their high profile premiership players.

Williams' fellow internationals Andrew Ryan, Willie Mason, Braith Anasta, Willie Tonga and Jamaal Lolesi are all off contract at the end of 2005.

It's unlikely the `Dogs will be able to retain the sextet.

It's understood Ryan is close to agreeing terms on a new contract while Anasta has been linked with rugby union and has already met with NSW Waratahs coach Ewan McKenzie.

The club would be loathe to let Tonga and Mason go on the open market after both enjoyed stellar seasons in 2004.

Tonga emerged as a Test-class centre while the rampaging Mason produced his best season, in the process assuming a leadership role at the club.