Manly Sea Eagles centre Reuben Garrick holds talks with Roosters, Dragons remain interested
Manly appear to be fighting an uphill battle to keep Reuben Garrick on the northern beaches, with the centre holding talks with another Sydney club as he weighs up his NRL future.
Manly are poised to up their offer to centre Reuben Garrick after it emerged that he had held talks with the Sydney Roosters over following good mate Daly Cherry-Evans to the NRL powerhouse.
This masthead revealed that Garrick was exploring his options on the open market after he baulked at accepting an initial two-year extension from the Sea Eagles, believed to be worth around $1.1 million.
Garrick is also understood to be in the sights of St George Illawarra but it is believed the Roosters have become the front runners for his signature as they prepare for the departure of Mark Nawaqanitawase and the potential retirement of Daniel Tupou.
The Roosters have a trump card in Cherry-Evans, who is good mates with Garrick. Cherry-Evans made the stunning decision to switch from Manly to the Roosters on a one year deal, although it is understood there are provisions for a second year as part of the agreement.
Even if he decides to retire at the end of next season, Cherry-Evans is expected to stay at the Roosters in a coaching capacity.
Garrick, meanwhile, could join him as he weighs up his future and the potential for a move away from the Manly.
The Sea Eagles are aware of the Roosters’ interest and it is understood they are willing to revise their initial their offer in a bid to keep him at the club.
St George Illawarra’s interest in the 28-year-old is also notable given he played under 20s and NSW Cup for the Dragons before packing up and moving to Sydney’s northern beaches, where he has gone on to play 157 games for the club over the past seven seasons.
He has been a fixture in the Sea Eagles backline and Manly want Garrick to stay – it is understood they are in the process of putting together a revised offer.
However, they appear to be fighting an uphill battle given the interest from elsewhere.
The Roosters, meanwhile, are bracing for a double blow to their backline. Nawaqanitawase has already announced that he will return to rugby union at the end of next season as he chases a place in the Wallabies side for the World Cup.
The cross-code star will leave a gaping hole given the impact he had on the club this season. Tupou would arguably leave an even bigger one given the consistency he has shown over a 15-year career.
The 34-year-old has played 289 games for the Roosters and scored 183 tries. He will go down as one of the club’s all-time greats but is in the twilight of his career and unlikely to play in the NRL beyond next season.
Meanwhile, Payne Haas has arrived back in the country but he is expected to speak to ARL Commission chair Peter V’landys before he makes a call on his future.
Haas has interest from rebel rugby union competition R360 and while there has been speculation over the concept being on its knees, it is understood that long-form contracts are expected to be sent to players and agents in coming days.
Once the long-form contracts are signed, R360 is expected to begin announcing a slew of signings as they prepare to launch in October next year.
Zac Lomax and Ryan Papenhuyzen have both been linked with the completion along with Haas, who is understood to be the subject of offers worth around $3 million a year.
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Originally published as Manly Sea Eagles centre Reuben Garrick holds talks with Roosters, Dragons remain interested
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