LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
Bulldogs utility Blake Taaffe is set to depart the Canterbury Bulldogs and the NRL after reportedly signing a three-year contract with the Castleford Tigers in the Super League. Currently without a contract for the upcoming season, Taaffe is one of five Bulldogs players whose contracts expire at the end of this season.
This season, Taaffe has made only two first-grade appearances, spending most of his time in the NSW Cup before suffering an injury. Since joining the Bulldogs from the South Sydney Rabbitohs, he has struggled to secure a regular spot in the NRL lineup, frequently serving as the 18th or 19th man, and has only played 12 NRL games for the club.
With no new deal offered by the Bulldogs, Taaffe has opted to leave the NRL. His move to Castleford comes after two seasons with the Bulldogs, during which he was initially seen as a candidate for their long-term fullback position. However, he lost that role to Connor Tracey, who has established himself firmly in the No.1 jersey.
In May, Taaffe expressed to Zero Tackle that while he preferred to stay at Belmore, he recognized that "rugby league is a business" and acknowledged that his time with the Blue and White was nearing its end.