Max King, a pivotal forward for the Canterbury Bulldogs, has expressed his desire to extend his stay with the team beyond his current contract.
Recently, a segment on Triple M Radio hosted by Phil Rothfield raised speculation about King's potential signing with the PNG Chiefs for their inaugural season in 2028.
Although there are ongoing discussions regarding his contract, it appears King's priority is to remain with the Bulldogs, even if he doesn't finalize a new deal before the November 1 deadline, which would allow him to explore other options.
Reports suggest that the opportunity to join Port Moresby is not appealing to King, who has established himself as a key figure within the Bulldogs' ranks.
Having played for the NSW Blues, the 29-year-old boasts 159 NRL games. He has flourished since joining the Bulldogs at the beginning of 2022.
King began his NRL career with the Gold Coast Titans, where he appeared in 35 matches over two and a half seasons. In the latter half of 2019, he transitioned to the Melbourne Storm, adding 12 more games.
Since moving to the Bulldogs, he has played 109 matches and has become an integral part of Cameron Ciraldo's forward lineup.
Despite experiencing a dip in performance in 2026 compared to his career-best 2025 season, King has averaged 121 meters per game and maintained an impressive tackle completion rate of nearly 95 percent.
King is seen as a significant retention target, especially with the club's salary cap constraints raising concerns about his future.
Nonetheless, King is committed to the Bulldogs, and the potential of a long-term contract remains viable.
His partnership with Leo Thompson is expected to grow, alongside a promising group of young forwards who complement the team's starting lineup.