It's been an incredibly busy week off the field, with the rumour mill going into overdrive around the fate of many key players. Here is this week's transfer wrap.
Rabbitohs add Tigersโ utility to shopping list
Theย South Sydney Rabbitohsย have reportedly entered discussions withย Wests Tigers' centre and back rowerย Michael Chee-Kam.
So advanced are the talks, according to anย Sydney Morning Heraldย report, it's understood theย Rabbitohs are almost certainly set to sign the 29-year-oldย for the 2022 season and beyond.
FULL STORY: Chee-Kam on Bunnies' radar
Dragons set to chase Eelsโ edge forward
Theย St George Illawarra Dragonsย are reportedly set to chase Parramatta' Eels second rowerย Marata Niukore.
The second rower has also lined up at centre on plenty of occasions this centre, and has spent time in the middle third when required forย Brad Arthur's side.
Theย Sydney Morning Heraldย are reporting that the Dragons are hopeful ofย luring Niukore to the clubย despite the Eels' utility having another year to run on his current contract.
READ MORE: Niukore in the sights of St George Illawarra
Knights snare Dragons half on new contract
Theย St George Illawarra Dragonsย have officially released halfย Adam Cluneย from the final year of his contract to join theย Newcastle Knights.
He has signed a two-year contract with the Hunter-based club, the deal now set to expire at the end of 2023.
Clune has been used as a backup option for the Dragons since making his debut for the club in Round 4 of the 2020 season.
FULL STORY: Newcastle snatch up Clune signature for 2022
Veteran playmaker remains a part of Knightsโ plans
Despite recently being linked with a move to several clubs both at home and abroad,ย Mitchell Pearceย remains a vital part of the Knights' plans according to his head coach, Adam O'Brien.
The 32-year-old playmaker's services have reportedly been sought by a quartet of NRL clubs for next season, even though heย still has a year left to run on his current deal with the Novacastrian club .
FULL STORY: O'Brien adamant of keeping playmaking Pearceย
Bulldogs target unlikely to land move amid salary strife
The Bulldogs' agreed negotiations with Broncos forwardย John Asiataย could fall through amid the concerning salary cap situation at Belmore, perย Wide World of Sports.ย
Canterbury are reportedly facing complications in balancing their books for next season, with an extensive list of players currently unsigned for 2022, while six high-profile recruits are set to arrive at this season's conclusion.
FULL STORY: Dogs hit wall as salary strain takes hold
Bulldogs confirm the departure of 12 players
Canterbury have confirmed 12 players will depart the club at season's end.
Following theirย team announcementย for this weekend's clash against the Tigers, the Bulldogs confirmed that a dozen off-contract players will not continue their tenures with the club past this season.
Dylan Napa,ย Lachlan Lewis,ย Renouf Atoni,ย Sione Katoa,ย Dean Britt,ย Chris Smith,ย James Roumanos, Brad Deitz,ย Watson Heletaย and Kiko Manu have not seen their contracts extended into the 2022 season.
READ MORE: Dirty dozen depart Canterburyย
Veteran Eel set to stay put
Following his side's upset victory on Saturday night, Parramatta veteranย Blake Fergusonย is reportedly set to stay with Parramattaย into 2022.
The 31-year-old, who's future at the club wasn't exactly crystal clear prior to last weekend, is now set on staying at the Eels, according toย Wide World of Sports'ย The Mole.ย
READ MORE: Ferguson looking to remain in blue and gold
Broncos sign former Queensland junior Origin forward
Theย Brisbane Broncosย have announced young gunย Logan Baylissย has signed with the club on a new two-year deal.
Bayliss was part of the 2019ย Queenslandย Under-20 State of Origin squad, playing from the bench alongside a fearsome list of names who are now running around in the NRL.
READ MORE: Broncos swoop on local young gunย
Brisbane reportedly hand gun prop mid-season pay rise
Theย Brisbane Broncosย have reportedly handedย Payne Haasย a big mid-season pay rise as they attempt to lock his long-term future in at the struggling club.
According to anย News Corpย report,ย Haas has received a $200,000 per year rise in salaryย back in April.
His reported salary was originally believed to be around the $550,000 mark, but has now risen to $750,000, making him Brisbane's highest-paid forward.
FULL STORY:ย Haas, Broncos nearing new ground in contract saga
Broncos slam door on veteran prop as chase for experience goes on
Theย Brisbane Broncosย have reportedly slammed the door shut on the idea of signingย Dylan Napa.
The veteranย Canterbury Bulldogs' prop, who won't be re-signed at the club at the end of the season, is part of a mass exodus from Belmore.
READ MORE: Brisbane ruled out as new home for Napa
Veteran back leaves door open for NRL return
Will Hopoateย is set to make his final appearance for theย Canterbury Bulldogsย this Sunday when they face the West Tigers ahead of his departure to the Englishย Super Leagueย where he will join St Helens on a two-year deal.
This doesn't mean he'll never play in the NRL again though.
According toย NRL.com,ย Hopoate has left the door open for an NRL return following his stint in the Super League.
READ MORE: Hopoate NRL dream far from over
John Bateman responds to Australian return rumours
Former NRL star and currentย Wigan Warriorsย second rowerย John Batemanย has emphatically slammed rumours he is set for a return toย Australia.
Speculation has been growing in recent days that the 27-year-old Bradford native wasย sizing up a return down under due to his partner being homesick.
Bateman's partner was born in Canberra and the pair met during Bateman's two-year stint with theย Canberra Raidersย where he played in a grand final and was named Dally M second rower of the year in 2019.
FULL STORY: Bateman rubbishes reported return
Japanese rugby swoops on Knightsโ centre
Newcastle Knights' backup centreย Gehamat Shibasakiย will head to Japanese Rugby in 2022.
Making his debut for theย Brisbane Broncosย and playing 13 games over a two-year period in 2018 and 2019, Shibasaki signed with theย Newcastle Knightsย ahead of the 2020 season on a three-year contract.
It's understood the third year of the deal was a player option however, with Shibasaki struggling for game time during his tenure in the Hunter.
READ MORE: Shibasaki set for move abroad
FIVE potential landing spots for Dylan Napa
With all due respect to the current Dogs set up, they've dragged many former stars down to their level.
There's a real footballer left inย Dylan Napa. He's not even 30. He's only two seasons removed from Origin football.
Surely there's a destination for the former Origin mainstay. We look at five possible options for 2022.
FIVE LANDING SPOTS FOR DYLAN NAPA
Bulldogs reportedly weighing up options for second rower
Theย Canterbury Bulldogsย are reportedly weighing up their options on the future of second rowerย Adam Elliott.
While it has been generally accepted that no decision will be made until the NRL integrity unit completes an investigation for an incident a week ago at a Gold Coast establishment, Elliott is unlikely to be wanted in 2022 at Belmore.
The Daily Telegraphย though are reporting that, while Elliott will have to face the club board for his future at the club, the board'sย preference is to move him, rather than sack him.
FULL STORY: Dogs weighing up future of controversial forward
Broncos looking to lock down future captain
Theย Brisbane Broncosย have reportedly begun contract negotiations with forwardย Patrick Carrigan.
His current deal expires at the end of the 2022 season, but the 23-year-old was likely a walk up start for State of Origin this season until he ruptured his ACL during Round 9 against the Northย Queenslandย Cowboys.
The Daily Telegraphย are reporting theย Broncos have commenced negotiations with Carrigan. The news should hardly come as a surprise, with the November 1 deadline approaching for off-contract players to be able to speak to other clubs.
FULL STORY: Brisbane star nearing new deal
Manly forward signs on with English club
Manly Sea Eagles' second rowerย Curtis Sironenย has agreed to an English move, with the St Helens Saints announcing his signature.
The deal is set to run for two years, but also has an option for a third, with the 28-year-old set to make the move ahead of the 2022 season. He could remain at St Helens until the end of 2024, should the option be activated.
Sironen has spent much of this season out through injury, but has been a crucial part of the Sea Eagles' team over the past two seasons, playing 40 games across the 2019 and 2020 seasons.
READ MORE: Sironen set for the Saints
Dragons baffling selection could cost them young star
Young starย Jayden Sullivanย is reportedly on the radar of other clubs, and it could be the Dragons' own selection decisions which bring about his exit.
Sullivan, who has representedย New Southย Walesย at junior level, is widely believed to be the future of the struggling club.
Alongside fullback Tyrrel Sloan and young halves partner Talatau Amone, he guided the Dragons to an SG Ball title in 2019 and has since gone on to find success atย New Southย Walesย Cup level.
READ MORE: Sullivan in sights of rival clubs
Rabbitohs set to target off-contract Raider
Theย South Sydney Rabbitohsย are reportedly set to chase off-contractย Canberra Raiders' hooker and lockย Siliva Havili.
Speculation or an announcement of a new deal for Havili in the nation's capital has been surprisingly lacking, despite the important role he often plays forย Ricky Stuart's side off the bench.
The forward has made ten appearances so far this season, including all of the first nine, before returning in Round 24 for the clash with theย New Zealand Warriors.
READ MORE: Havili linked with Souths switch
Dragons star allowed to assess options elsewhere
St George Illawarra forwardย Tariq Simsย has been given permission to explore his options for next season as he enters the final year of his deal with the Red V.
It is understood that the veteran second-rower and the Dragons had begun negotiations on a contract extension, only for talks to soon result in the Kogarah club permitting an early exit for the 31-year-old should he find a suitable offer.
As reported byย Nine News'ย Danny Weidler, failed contract discussions have led to Sims potentially departing on an immediate deal ahead of the 2022 season.
FULL STORY: Sims allowed to walk from Saints
Newcastle young guns facing squeeze
The futures of Knights trioย Tex Hoy,ย Phoenix Crosslandย andย Jack Johnsย remain unclear as the club looks to finalise its roster for next season.
As reported byย The Newcastle Herald'sย Barry Toohey, the Knights currently have five remaining list spots on offer for the 2022 season, however are set to hand promising duoย Enari Tualaย andย Chris Randallย senior deals past this season.
The limited opportunities raise concern for the futures of the aforementioned Newcastle trio, who joinย Edrick Lee,ย Jacob Kirazย andย Garrett Smithย in also being off-contract.
READ MORE: Young trio feeling squeeze of limited Newcastle roster
Could Raiders cull senior figures after disaster season?
Canberra are tipped to be preparing for a high-profile player clean out, with a number of veterans, including contracted players, potentially heading for the exit in the nation's capital.
According toย The Australian,ย the Raiders could be prepared to ship senior figuresย Josh Hodgson,ย Jarrod Crokerย andย Ryan James, despite the trio being contracted for next season.
Ongoing speculation surrounding Hodgson and Croker has led to the belief that neither player holds a secure place underย Ricky Stuart, who could kick-start an exodus of names following the club's poor 2021 campaign.
FULL STORY: Nobody safe in nation's capital
