THEY may not have a chief executive, but that hasn't prevented the Bulldogs from making a hefty offer to gun Melbourne Storm centre Israel Folau.

A day after Malcolm Noad announced his resignation, chairman George Peponis revealed he was pressing ahead with his bold attempt to sign last year's rookie of the year.

And in a reassuring sign for Dogs supporters, he confirmed to the Herald last night that a formal offer had already been made "seven to 10 days ago" during the height of the club's bitter boardroom election campaign. Peponis is confident Noad's departure would not hinder their attempts.

"There appears to be a lot of dollars being put to Israel Folau out there," Peponis said. "But we have made what we think is a good offer. We're confident in the offer we've put forward."

The Bulldogs are the first club to admit they have made a firm offer to Folau, although they are far from alone in their pursuit of the 18-year-old, with his manager, Isaac Moses, confirming interest from "eight or nine" other clubs.

The Herald has been told he is already entertaining extravagant offers, including one of more than $1.5 million over three years.

Moses said he hoped to have Folau's future finalised by the beginning of the season.

He also revealed Folau's future may be swayed by the uncertainty surrounding the future of Storm coach Craig Bellamy, who is off contract at the end of 2009 and will be in equally high demand.

Bellamy is in Brisbane's long-term plans post-Wayne Bennett and the club has already publicly expressed an interest in Folau through their chief executive Bruno Cullen.

"He's very close with Craig," Moses said. "If everything's there, No.1, he wants to stay. I'd love to see him stay in Melbourne if things work out. But Melbourne have got a lot of great players and they can't keep all of them."

Folau is in the UK with Melbourne and will play in the World Club Challenge this Saturday morning, Sydney time. Moses will attempt to step up negotiations with his current club and others vying for his signature upon his return next week. "I've spoken to a few clubs," Moses said. "He wants to get it done by the start of the season but he's away at the moment. His dad's been away, too. When they get back, we'll move forward."

Gold Coast and the Sydney Roosters are among other NRL clubs believed to have approached Moses about signing the brilliant Queenslander.

Keen to capitalise on having cash to spend under the salary cap for the 2009 season, Peponis said signing a chief executive was atop the club's agenda following the new board's first meeting on Monday night.

He said he had received tentative interest in the position yesterday and a sub-committee of himself, deputy chairman Peter Cassilles and another board member was being formed.

That director would be either Anthony Elias or Ray Dib, who has been strongly linked to the chief executive's position before and after Noad's departure.

"I did ask the board [on Monday night] that whilst they are a director they not take a paid position at the club," Peponis said. "I received some interest yesterday in emails and a few phonecalls. Because of confidentiality concerns, I cannot say who - but it is an encouraging sign.

"Why would they not be interested in joining a club with a proud history like the Bulldogs?"

Noad will play no part in player negotiations. As it stands, his resignation is effective immediately but he will remain on a casual basis to facilitate the club's move from Belmore to its new base at Sydney Olympic Park.

Meanwhile, Bulldogs halfback Ben Roberts yesterday pleaded not guilty in Wollongong Local Court to resisting arrest, common assault, refusing to comply with a police direction and offensive behaviour following a fight outside a Wollongong nightclub earlier this month.

Roberts did not enter a plea to a fifth charge of assaulting a police officer. The case has been adjourned until April 8.