Martin searches for stability in bid for new deal

In a bid to secure a new contract, Canterbury back-rower Rhyse Martin hopes to find some stability in his game after a disruptive opening quarter of the 2019 Telstra Premiership season.

The Papua New Guinean forward has endured a rollercoaster opening to the year, overlooked by Dean Pay for the first two rounds of the season before missing a sideline conversion on the buzzer to level the scores against heavyweights Melbourne.

He was also demoted to the bench in last week's loss to the Rabbitohs.

After a barnstorming 2018 season, where the Bulldogs rookie became one of the game's best workhorses, the 26-year-old has been made to work even harder in his second year to cement a spot in the side.

"It was just what Dean wanted at the time. I just had to play well in Cup and had to deal with it," Martin told NRL.com of his round-one omission.

"I was a little bit upset but wasn't going to kick stones over it. I went back with the Cup boys and ended up getting my crack after two weeks."

The controversial missed conversion by the usual sharpshooter against the Storm, which was taken in the wrong spot on the field, was one that most kickers would want to block out of their memory banks.

However, Martin has used the missed kick as motivation, rather than a haunted memory, and is counting down the days for his next chance with a game on the line.

"Everyone was saying I could've been in a further five metres but I didn't even think about that," he said.

"It's hard to say, it would've made the angle a bit easier but I couldn't have kicked it worse. Looking back I rushed into it a bit, I should've taken a few extra seconds but the time on the clock, I needed to get it over.

"I think it's something that makes you a better kicker in a way because I have come back to training working on my technique and consistency with my routine.

"I've put a lot more time into my goal kicking. Daryl Halligan and I have been having our arguments but it's been good and bad.

"It is what it is and I'm looking forward to the next 18-16 game or a levelled game to get another chance.

"That's just what you have to do, move on and look forward to your next goal-kicking challenge."

Off contract at season's end after only agreeing to a one-year extension last year,  he may be forced elsewhere despite indicating he loved the Bulldogs club.

"I don't even want to think about it. I've got to focus and if I'm playing good football I'll get more options and opportunities," he said.

"That's all going to help with what I'm doing next year. At this stage I don't know where that is but I've got to keep helping this team for next year's deal.

"I love it here so we'll see what happens."