NRL Player Market set to erupt

We may only be six rounds into the season, but the frenzy to sign players for the 2018 season is hitting feverous highs this week with a number of shock moves.

The Wests Tiger’s ‘big four’ have been the talk of the town for the last month, but the signing of coach Ivan Cleary has accelerated the situation tenfold.

Luke Brooks has signed a two-year extension at Concord worth about $550,000 a season, though halves partner Mitchell Moses could be lining up against his current club within the next fortnight.

The young five-eighth knocked back a three-year, $3 million contract with the Tigers to sign with Parramatta, requesting an immediate release from his contract. Moses will form a lethal combination with Corey Norman that will see the Tiger’s pivot make the transition to halfback.

Teammates Aaron Woods and James Tedesco are yet to make up their mind on their future, though a move away from Campbelltown is growing more and more likely.

The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs have thrown their hat in the ring for both of the State of Origin stars, while the Roosters have also emerged as heavy contenders for Tedesco’s signature. It’s uncertain how the Roosters would shift their salary cap for the fullback, but if anyone knows a way, it’s Nick Politis.

The biggest influence on the current market, however, comes in the form of one of the incumbent Dally M medallists, Cooper Cronk.

Cronk announced his departure from Melbourne for Sydney early in the week, not ruling out the possibility of retirement either just yet.

Reports have emerged that if the Tigers lose both Tedesco and Woods, they’ll offer Cronk a whopping $3.4 million over two years at Concord, potentially making him the highest paid player in the competition.

Cronulla have ruled themselves out of the running for the Kangaroo halfback’s signature, despite Chad Townsend and Jack Bird remaining off-contract at season's end.

Bird is currently pondering a three-year deal on the table from Newcastle, a move that would not only see him become one of the highest paid players in Newcastle history but also see the Wollongong junior return to his preferred position of five-eighth.

The Sharks are however preparing for the loss of both Townsend and Bird, with Shane Flanagan meeting with Bulldog’s five-eighth Josh Reynolds during the week as the premiership winning coach ponders throwing the former Origin half a lifeline.

Despite the influx of potential moves emerging this week, clubs will struggle to pay players what they’re worth after the NRL announced an $8.3 million salary cap, substantially lower than what teams had assumed the figure would be.

It’s pretty exhausting, keeping up with the comings and goings of rugby league. And who knows? Every move could turn on its head by Monday morning, but that’s just another reason why we love the NRL.