Kangaroos contender Shannon Boyd remains hopeful close mate Paul Vaughan will stay in Canberra next year despite rival clubs' pursuit of the Raiders prop.
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There is speculation the St George Illawarra Dragons have tabled a three-year offer worth more than $1.5 million in a bid to lure Vaughan away from the Green Machine.
But there has been no confirmation Vaughan wants to walk away from the Raiders, despite being relegated to the NSW Cup for two months as Canberra built a dominant forward pack.
Boyd believes the Raiders are on the verge of forming one of the most devastating front-row rotations with Junior Paulo, Vaughan, Joe Tapine and Clay Priest all pushing each other for selection.
The impressive depth has put Vaughan on the radar of other NRL clubs who are searching for a big man to lead their forward packs into the 2017 season and beyond.
Vaughan spent two months in the NSW Cup but was recalled for the Raiders' finals campaign when Paulo and Priest suffered injuries.
The 25-year-old powerhouse has reiterated his commitment to Canberra and has a contract for next season, but that hasn't stopped clubs circling.
"I'll have a talk to Vaughany ... I don't know what he's doing but I'd love for him to stay at the club," Boyd said.
"We are good mates and I'd miss the big fella if he moved away. But he's got to do what's in his best interests and you've got to put yourself in his shoes.
"It's a tough one but I'll back him with whatever he does."
Boyd and Vaughan started the season as front-row partners and were part of the Raiders' charge to second place on the ladder at the end of the regular season.
The Green Machine won 17 games during the year and enjoyed one of their best statistical seasons since joining the competition in 1982.
They made their first preliminary final since Super League in 1997 but were knocked out by the Melbourne Storm in a heartbreaking two-point defeat.
Boyd said getting so close to the grand final would be a driving force for the players next year, confident they are on the verge of building something special in the capital.
Boyd has been picked in coach Mal Meninga's 24-man Australian squad for the Test against New Zealand and end of year Four Nations tournament.
"Watching all the buildup to the grand final ... that was tough," Boyd said.
"Our boys get along so well and we really enjoyed this year so watching the grand final burned a little bit. We could have been there and probably should have been if we played a little bit better against Melbourne.
"It's exciting to see what we built this year and I reckon next year's going to be pretty exciting as well."
