Latest Rugby League News

NRL transfer wrap: Mahoney mayhem, Smith’s trip, Dolphins ramp up recruitment search

All the latest NRL transfer news and rumours 👇

Published by
Mitch Keating

November 1 has come and gone, meaning the news and rumours won't stop, with a few movements for 2022, 2023 and contract extensions also going through this week.

Eels lose first as contract crunch bites

The Parramatta Eels have lost Marata Niukore to the New Zealand Warriors.

The Eels went past the November 1 deadline when players off-contract at the end of 2022 could negotiate with other clubs with a staggering 18 players either not contracted to the club, or with player options in their favour.

Niukore's contract with the Warriors is understood to be in the vicinity of $2.5 million over four years.

READ MORE: Warriors swoop on off-contract Eels forward

MACKAY, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 18: Dylan Edwards of the Panthers is tackled by Marata Niukore of the Eels during the NRL Semifinal match between the Penrith Panthers and the Parramatta Eels at BB Print Stadium on September 18, 2021 in Mackay, Australia. (Photo by Matt Roberts/Getty Images)

Rival club make play for Parramatta hooker

Star Parramatta Eels' hooker Reed Mahoney has been spotted at dinner with Bulldogs' officials.

It's understood the group were eating at a Chinese restaurant within Canterbury Leagues Club. The video, taken by a Twitter user, seems to show Mahoney with Canterbury coach Trent Barrett, general manager of football Phil Gould, club chairman John Khoury and Mahoney's own manager Sam Ayoub.

WATCH HERE: Mahoney in talks with top Dogs

Dolphins setting sights on Dragons playmaker

The Dolphins are understood to be eyeing contracted Dragons five-eighth Talatau Amone for 2023.

Amone is currently signed to St George Illawarra until the end of the 2023 season, having inked a three-year deal in October last year following increased interest from rivals.

TOOWOOMBA, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 22: Talatau Amone of the Dragons looks dejected after a Roosters try during the round 23 NRL match between the St George Illawarra Dragons and the Sydney Roosters at Clive Berghofer Stadium, on August 22, 2021, in Toowoomba, Australia. (Photo by Jono Searle/Getty Images)

It is understood that the NRL newcomers are hoping Amone may look elsewhere to gain greater exposure in the top flight to hold down a starting halves role, with the 19-year-old set to compete with incumbent half Ben Hunt and fellow young gun Jayden Sullivan for the first-string playmaking honours in the Red V.

READ MORE: Dragons rising star on Dolphins' radar

Queensland club pull out of hunt for Eels star, former Raiders prop

The Broncos have withdrawn from the running for in-demand Eels hooker Reed Mahoney, while ex-Raider Dunamis Lui is another that won't be calling Red Hill home.

While the Bulldogs pose as a large threat to the Dolphins' hopes of signing Mahoney, cross-town rivals in the Broncos have pulled out of the race for the rake's services, with Brisbane football boss Ben Ikin telling The Courier Mail the club are satisfied with their current hooker ranks.

The Broncos have just the one list spot in the top 30 available for 2022, with recent target Dunamis Lui set to miss out on finding a new home in Brisbane for next year.

FULL STORY: Broncos rule out moves for Eels playmaker, cut Raider

Versatile Sea Eagle takes flight for Super League

The Manly Sea Eagles have granted versatile playmaker Cade Cust a release from his contract to sign with Super League giants Wigan ahead of the 2022 season.

While Cust still had a year to run on his deal at Brookvale, the 23-year-old has opted for a geographic shift to earn more playing time.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JULY 18: Cade Cust of the Sea Eagles is tackled by Brad Takairangi of the Eels during the round 10 NRL match between the Manly Sea Eagles and the Parramatta Eels at Lottoland on July 18, 2020 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)

Per their official statement released on Friday night, Manly also hold the rights to re-sign Cust should he decide to make an NRL return at any stage.

READ MORE: Cust makes move abroad with early release

Sacked Panther set to find unlikely lifeline

English Super League club the Catalan Dragons have ramped up their search for NRL-level talent yet again.

The French club, who are reportedly set to officially sign Mitchell Pearce in the coming weeks should he be let go by the Newcastle Knights after an official release request, now are reported to have Tyrone May on their radar.

May could make the move to the south of France, potentially alongside Pearce as the club look to fill their quote of international roster spots, as well as find a suitable replacement for the retiring James Maloney.

FULL STORY: May among the latest to be linked to Super League switch

NRL captain reportedly set to exit club before end of contract

An NRL captain off-contract at the end of 2023 is reportedly being shopped to rival clubs.

According to The Daily Telegraph report, a captain on a "big-money deal" is unlikely to see out the final year of his contract, being 2023.

That being said, the player will remain with his current team for 2022.

READ MORE: High-profile skipper tipped to depart

Eels set to play long game as contract negotiations drag on

The Parramatta Eels have reportedly decided they are happy to play the waiting game when it comes to contract offers on the table for Clint GuthersonReed Mahoney and Junior Paulo.

The Sydney Morning Herald report that the Eels have removed a Friday deadline on the trio of Paulo, Mahoney and Gutherson to make a decision.

PENRITH, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 11: Clinton Gutherson of the Eels looks on during the round 18 NRL match between the Penrith Panthers and the Parramatta Eels at Panthers Stadium on September 11, 2020 in Penrith, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

It's understood all three have contract offers on the table, although Reed Mahoney was spotted at dinner with the Bulldogs earlier this week.

READ MORE: Eels push back critical contract deadline

Smith to make detour on return from Queensland

In the two weeks following the November 1 deadline for off-contract players at the end of 2022 to negotiate with rivals, Smith has fielded multiple offers and visited three clubs in Queensland.

The North Queensland Cowboys, where he was holidaying in Townsville, were his first port of call, before Smith was pictured at both the Gold Coast Titans and Dolphins - who are the NRL's newest team - in the past few days.

According to a Daily Telegraph report, however, Smith has one more club to visit on the way back to Melbourne, with a visit to Bondi and the Sydney Roosters on the agenda.

READ MORE: Smith set for final stopover before Melbourne return 

Manu set to decide future following offers

He had reportedly fielded offers from multiple clubs across the competition, but Joseph Manu is set to stay put at the Sydney Roosters.

The New Zealand Warriors were rumoured to be leading the chase for Manu, with the Dolphins and a handful of other clubs also interested, with the Roosters seemingly unlikely to hold Manu.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 06: Joseph Manu of the Roosters celebrates victory at fulltime during the 2019 NRL Grand Final match between the Canberra Raiders and the Sydney Roosters at ANZ Stadium on October 06, 2019 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

Despite ongoing reported interest elsewhere, those suggestions are set to fall on deaf ears, with Manu deciding to stay with the Roosters on a two-year extension according to Channel 9s Danny Weidler.

FULL STORY: Manu set to remain in Bondi

Parramatta star, Cowboys duo reportedly on Dolphins’ radar

Parramatta star forward Junior Paulo is among the latest names to be linked to NRL newcomers the Dolphins, while a pair of Cowboys are also understood to be in the Queensland club's sights.

According to The Australianthe Redcliffe-based club have held "informal talks" with Paulo as the Dolphins eye their first big-name signing.

Newly-arrived recruitment manager Peter O'Sullivan is sure to eye a long list of Queensland talent for 2023, with North Queensland duo Reuben Cotter and Tom Gilbert also linked to the Dolphins.

FULL STORY: Trio of names in newcomer's sights

TOWNSVILLE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 09: Liam Martin, Junior Paulo and Jake Trbojevic sing the anthem before game one of the 2021 State of Origin series between the New South Wales Blues and the QueenslandMaroons at Queensland Country Bank Stadium on June 09, 2021 in Townsville, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Dragons fire with young Titan switching clubs

The St George Illawarra Dragons have reportedly signed one of the game's best young prospects.

Despite recent reports of an exodus of youth talent exiting the club, the famous Red V appear to have now gone the other way by securing Kaden Somerville from the Titans.

It comes following the reported departures of Brad Morkos (to the Canberra Raiders), and three sons of club legends in Rod Wishart's (who joined the Storm), David Riolo's son (to the Sydney Roosters) and Brett Rodwell's son (signed by the Cronulla Sharks).

READ MORE: Dragons ring the changes as Titans talent joins the Red V 

Knights confirm triple contract boom

The Newcastle Knights have made substantial waves on the contract front, adding to their depth for 2022 with the re-signing of Jack JohnsPhoenix Crossland and Chris Randall.

Randall and Johns will move from development deals into the top 30 for the Knights, while Johns extends his time at the club.

READ MORE: Newcastle trio rewarded with new deals

“They’ll be at Penrith next year”: CEO lays law down on rumours of star exit

Rumours surrounding the future of Apisai KoroisauViliame Kikau and Dylan Edwards won't leave the Penrith Panthers alone, but CEO Brian Fletcher has delivered a blunt message to rival clubs.

All of Edwards, Koroisau and Kikau are still contracted to the Panthers for 2022, and with the club chasing a back-to-back premiership, they have no intentions of letting any of the trio exit the foot of the mountains early.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JULY 02: Viliame Kikau of the Panthers offloads the ball to Apisai Koroisau of the Panthers during the round 16 NRL match between the Penrith Panthers and the Parramatta Eels at BlueBet Stadium on July 02, 2021, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

CEO Fletcher told Fox Sports though that, while clubs can submit offers for 2023, they wouldn't be getting their hands on any of the players for 2022.

FULL STORY: Panthers chief sends warning to circling rivals

Dolphins set to confirm first signing

While the Dolphins continue to work away at their first marquee signing, the NRL's newest club have been tipped to reveal their inaugural player in the coming days.

Cameron MunsterKalyn PongaClint GuthersonBrandon Smith and Patrick Carrigan have all been mentioned as options to become the club's first signing, however, with an eye to the future, new recruitment boss Peter O'Sullivan and coach Wayne Bennett have reportedly locked up youngster Harrison Graham on a development deal, according to a Sydney Morning Herald report.

READ MORE: Dolphins set to announce unexpected inaugural signing

Published by
Mitch Keating