Michael Lichaa wants to remain at Canterbury in 2018, and knows he can push his cause if he regularly gets to play 80 minutes per game.
Off-contract Lichaa is hopeful of having a deal sorted with the Bulldogs in the coming weeks, and has his best chance to impress during five-eighth Josh Reynolds' five-week injury absence.
Lichaa's dummy half role has changed partially at the eighth-placed Bulldogs this year, with playmaker Matthew Frawley coming onto the Canterbury bench.
It's prompted the 23-year-old to twice be taken off the field inside the first half hour in games, with regular half Moses Mbye slotting into dummy-half.
However that situation has theoretically been averted for the next four games with outgoing Reynolds' hamstring injury.
And even though Lichaa insists he is happy with his modified role in the squad, he realises this is his best shot to make his mark.
"It's going to help if you're playing 80 minutes rather than 20," Lichaa told AAP.
"Everyone wants to play 80 minutes and I definitely do.
"But that's out of my control really. Whatever Des (Hasler) and the coaching staff think is going to be best for the team then I'll do."
The Bulldogs are set to feel a salary cap pinch following the signing of Kangaroos prop Aaron Woods and Kiwis five-eighth Kieran Foran.
Along with Lichaa, Bulldogs fullback Will Hopoate is also trying to negotiate a new contract, and agreed to play Sundays for the rest of this season as discussions ramp up.
Lichaa admitted to being slightly apprehensive on the news of Foran's signing earlier this month.
"He's an awesome signing for the club - he's one of the best players in the world," he said
"Then of course in the back of your head you're going I'd like to get something sorted.
"But all this stuff is part of the game. What you see on the weekend, the 80 minutes, it's only a tiny fraction of what happens."
For his part though, he wants to have his future organised soon.
"Hopefully I'm staying here," he said.
"Hopefully my manager can get it sorted in the next few weeks. Because you don't want that hanging over your head.
"I guess I have to wait and see. He seems confident about it."
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