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NRL transfer wrap: Critical calls for Panthers, Chooks busy, Fogarty confusion

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Published by
Mitch Keating

It's been another busy week off the field, with the Titans active in the transfer market and plenty happening at the Panthers, Raiders and Roosters. Here is the wrap.

Penrith set to hold star as teammate’s future becomes uncertain

The Penrith Panthers have claimed they are confident of holding onto gun Fijian second-rower Viliame Kikau.

CEO Brian Fletcher told Sky Sports Radio's Big Sports Breakfast on Monday morning that Kikau was likely to say, however, his comments will leave star hooker Apisai MKoroisau concerned about his future at the club.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 20: Viliame Kikau of the Panthers makes a break during the round two NRL match between the Canterbury Bulldogs and the Penrith Panthers at Bankwest Stadium, on March 20, 2021, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

READ MORE: Mixed feelings surround future of Panthers star duo 

Roosters announce two signings for 2022

The Sydney Roosters have locked in two signings for 2022, with Renouf Atoni to join the club, and Naufahu Whyte being granted a contract extension by the club.

Atoni joins the club on a two-year deal, while Whyte's contract will also see him stay at Bondi until at least the end of the 2023 season.

READ MORE: Atoni, Whyte head to Bondi 

Broncos snare Raider as green machine move two

The Brisbane Broncos have confirmed the signing of Ryan James for 2022, while the Raiders have also reportedly confirmed Dunamis Luoi won't be offered a new deal.

The pair of experienced forwards have had indifferent seasons, with James only joining the Raiders ahead of the 2021 season after spending time at the Gold Coast Titans.

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 18: Dunamis Lui of the Raiders is tackled during the round two NRL match between the Canberra Raiders and the Newcastle Knights at GIO Stadium on March 18, 2018 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)

FULL STORY: James heads to Broncos, Lui not offered new deal

Penrith duo set to be squeezed out as salary cap bites

The Penrith Panthers are reportedly at risk of losing young duo Charlie Staines and Spencer Leniu.

It's understood the Panthers' salary cap situation for 2022 and beyond is dire, and clubs are circling for the duo.

The Daily Telegraph are reporting the Panthers still have five spots to fill for 2022, and that the price tag of Staines and Leniu - who are both on roughly $300,000 - could be too much for the club to handle.

READ MORE: Penrith young guns at risk of cap squeeze 

Roosters confirm five departures leaving future of two in the balance

The Sydney Roosters have confirmed five players will leave the club at the end of the 2021 season.

All five were already known, with Brett MorrisJosh MorrisBoyd Cordner and Jake Friend all going into retirement, while Isaac Liu will join the Gold Coast Titans on a new contract.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 06: Dale Copley of the Roosters warms up before the round one NRL match between the Sydney Roosters and the South Sydney Rabbitohs at Allianz Stadium on March 6, 2016 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

Both Matt Ikuvalu and Dale Copley are still off-contract heading into the 2022 season, with the pair of outside backs the only two players yet to have their futures addressed by the Bondi club.

FULL STORY: Chooks duo hanging on as club confirms departures 

Eels part ways with quartet of names

Parramatta have announced the departures of Blake FergusonJoey LussickMichael Oldfield and Sam Hughes from the club.

Via an official statement released on Wednesday afternoon, Eels General Manager of Football Mark O'Neill paid thanks to the efforts of the quartet during their stints in for the Bankwest side.

READ MORE: Five Eels leave blue and gold army

FIVE potential options to play halfback at the Raiders

The Canberra Raiders need a new halfback if they are to go to the next level in 2022.

George Williams' departure left the club in all sorts of trouble throughout 2021, and while some will say it's slim pickings, the Raiders have some excellent options off-contract or likely to be available.

We name the top five options to head to the nation's capital.

FIVE IDEAL HALFBACKS FOR CANBERRA

Storm star speaks out about future contract after meeting with rival club

Melbourne Storm star Brandon Smith has spoken out about future, claiming it would be "virtually impossible" to say no to the Storm.

Smith is one of the game's most hotly-chased signatures, with clubs reportedly lining up to talk to Smith when he is free to begin negotiations from November 1.

Off-contract at the end of the 2022 season, the Storm are reportedly desperate to hang onto the star hooker and lock.

SUNSHINE COAST, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 19: Brandon Smith poses for a photo before a Melbourne Storm NRL training session at Sunshine Coast Stadium on October 19, 2020 in Sunshine Coast, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

According to The Daily Telegraph the club have offered the Kiwi an extension until the end of the 2025 season.

READ MORE: Smith tipped to remain in Victoria

Eels turn attention to retention ahead of contract crunch

The Parramatta Eels are reportedly beginning to sort out their contract situation for 2023.

It has previously been reported that the blue and gold would face something of a contract crunch heading into the 2023 season, with plenty of off-contract stars likely to be in line for upgrades.

The full list of off-contract players for 2022 is Jakob ArthurHaze DunsterWiremu GreigClint GuthersonOregon KaufusiReed MahoneyRyan MattersonMarata NiukoreTom Opacic, Isaiah Papali'i, Junior PauloHayze PerhamMaika Sivo and Ray Stone.

READ MORE: Key calls to be made at Parramatta 

Ex-Titans’ playmaker won’t be Brisbane bound

The Brisbane Broncos have reportedly withdrawn any interest they held signing ex-Titan Tyrone Peachey, per reports from The Daily Telegraph.

The news come in the wake of Peachey's seismic contract demands that were set before any potential suitors ahead of next season.

As was reported last week, the 30-year-old playmaker was said to be seeking a four-year deal worth around $450,000 per annum to remain in the league.

FULL STORY: Broncos and Pechey talks cool off

Conflicting reports emerge on Fogarty’s future

Gold Coast Titans' co-captain Jamal Fogarty has been linked with a shock move to the Canberra Raiders.

Despite only signing a contract extension earlier this year, tying him to the south east corner of Queensland until at least the end of 2023, the Raiders are said to be keen on the consistent half.

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 12: Jamal Fogarty of the Titans kicks during the round 14 NRL match between the Gold Coast Titans and the Sydney Roosters at Cbus Super Stadium, on June 12, 2021, in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

First reported by Pete Badel of the Courier Mail, Fogarty paints an intriguing target for the green machine.

Conflicting reports have since emerged however, suggesting the Titans are unlikely to grant their co-captain an early release.

FULL STORY: Skies unclear on future of contracted Titans half

Titans set to lock gun forward in on long-term mega payday

It was only a week ago gun Queensland Origin forward Tino Fa'asuamaleaui spoke of his desire to stay at the Gold Coast Titans, and now it appears the club are going to dish out the big dollars to keep their star.

The young gun, who shifted from the Melbourne Storm ahead of the 2021 season, has had a phenomenal season on the Gold Coast.

READ MORE: Tino hoping to remain a Titan for life

Raiders shown the door on another half

The Canberra Raiders have reportedly made an approach for New Zealand Warriors' half Chanel Harris-Tavita, only to have the door slammed shut.

While he has struggled for game time between various injuries this season, Harris-Tavita is still on contract into 2022 with the Warriors.

GOSFORD, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 13: Chanel Harris-Tavita of the Warriors during the round one NRL match between the New Zealand Warriors and the Gold Coast Titans at Central Coast Stadium, on March 13, 2021, in Gosford, Australia. (Photo by Ashley Feder/Getty Images)

That being said, there has been plenty of speculation out of the Warriors' camp surrounding the future of their own halves.

READ MORE: Line put through Raiders' move for CHT

Contracted Warriors forward reportedly on offer abroad

The services of Warriors prop Kane Evans are understood to be on offer to Super League clubs, according to the Yorkshire Examiner.

Evans first joined the Warriors from Parramatta on a two-year deal, with the 29-year-old contracted to the Auckland-based club until the end of next season.

The Fijian international will be able to speak with other clubs from November 1, however there is belief the Warriors could release Evans prior to the conclusion of his current deal and even pay a percentage of his next contract in order to land an agreement.

FULL STORY: Evans on offer to Super League sides 

Titans and Raiders swap deal seen as win-win scenario

A playmaker swap deal between the Titans and Raiders could be the win-win scenario both clubs are chasing to strengthen their finals contention for 2022.

According to News Corp's Brent Read, "internal talks" at both Gold Coast and Canberra surrounding the futures of Jamal Fogarty and Josh Hodgson have reportedly taken place.

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - AUGUST 02: Josh Hodgson of the Raiders runs the ball during the round 20 NRL match between the New Zealand Warriors and the Canberra Raiders at Mt Smart Stadium on August 02, 2019 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

Fogarty's future has been highly speculated this past week, with conflicting reports suggesting the Titans co-captain has been linked to the Raiders, while the Titans aren't keen to release the 27-year-old to the nation's capital.

READ MORE: Hodgson for Fogarty: Who says no?

Cowboys boosted after signing Fijian flyers

The Cowboys' stocks have been bolstered by the signings of a pair of Fiji's Rugby Sevens stars for next season.

Iosefo Masikau and Taniela Sadrugu have agreed to terms with the Townsville side and will join their new teammates in November in an attempt to aid the club's return to the finals in 2022.

READ MORE: Fijian duo heading to Townsville

Published by
Mitch Keating