Canberra Raiders give ex-Bulldog Adam Elliott final chance

The Canberra Times revealed last week the former Canterbury Bulldog was close to finalising a one-year deal and he'll now move to Canberra for the 2022 season.

He was sacked by the Bulldogs for repeated off-field indiscretions after six seasons and 104 NRL games with Canterbury.

But Stuart's thrown him a lifeline, which would also allow the Tathra product to be closer to home.

Elliott will also add versatility to the Raiders' pack, given he can play as either a middle forward or on an edge.

He'll also add some experience to a group that's lost Sia Soliola (retired), Dunamis Lui (uncontracted) and Ryan James (Brisbane Broncos).

Stuart said he'd spoken to the club's leaders and they'd given him the lime green light.

That filled him with confidence they'd be able to get Elliott's career back on track after his struggles with alcohol.

"It's a great opportunity for Adam to start a new future with the club," Stuart said.

"A number of leaders have been spoken to and are supportive of Adam joining the club, and it gives the club confidence moving forward."

Stuart said the club would work closely with Elliott to ensure the move was a success.

Elliott was born in Bega and played juniors for the Tathra Sea Eagles, and the move will allow him to be closer to family.

"It's a one-year deal and gives the club and Adam a great opportunity to build for the future," Stuart said.

"Adam's from the region - he's a South Coast product and local - and he was excited about coming back closer to family and making Canberra his home.

"We'll work with him to make this a success."

Meanwhile, there's also a chance Elliott could be joined in lime green by Wests Tigers hooker Jacob Liddle, although it would take a few cards to fall for that to take place.

The Tigers would need to gain former Raiders co-captain Josh Hodgson's release from the final year of his contract and then allow Liddle to join the Green Machine.

Liddle's contracted until the end of 2023.

If Hodgson was to leave then the Raiders would only have Tom Starling, who's facing several charges for a couple of alleged incidents on the Central Coast, and Adrian Trevilyan on the books as recognised hookers, while half Matt Frawley has also filled the dummy half role.

They'd need to bring in another No.9 option, which the 24-year-old Liddle would provide.

It's up to Hodgson's management and the Tigers to get the Hodgson deal done, with the Green Machine more than happy to allow the England international to see out his contract in Canberra.