NRL 2021: Contract clause puts Titans star Tino Fa’asuamaleaui in crosshairs of expansion club
A contract clause in Tino Fa’asuamaleaui’s deal at the Titans will ensure he’s a prime recruitment target for Brisbane’s new NRL team.
NRL
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Titans star Tino Fa’asuamaleaui has emerged as prime recruitment target for Brisbane’s new NRL team following revelations the Queensland Origin forward has a contract clause enabling him to spearhead an expansion franchise in 2023.
Fa‘asuamaleaui will make a welcome return from suspension for the Gold Coast in Saturday’s crunch game against Wests Tigers at Campbelltown Stadium.
The Titans have lost their past three matches, including the two Fa’asuamaleaui missed following a shoulder charge ban, and are desperate to get their season back on track.
Watch The 2021 NRL Telstra Premiership Live & On-Demand with No Ad-Breaks During Play. New to Kayo? Try 14-Days Free Now >
Fa’asuamaleaui has been one of the club’s best players in 2021 after joining the Titans on the back of last year’s premiership triumph with Melbourne and debut Origin series victory.
At 21, he is already one of the club’s leaders and a favourite of coach Justin Holbrook, but the Titans could face a fight to retain Fa’asuamaleaui when he becomes a free agent.
The Titans trumpeted Fa’asuamaleaui’s signing as a three-year contract, however the final season of the deal in 2023 is an option in his favour, essentially leaving him open to a poaching raid.
The NRL is pushing to launch a 17th club in Brisbane from 2023, making the Gympie-raised Fa’asuamaleaui a potential marquee recruit for the new franchise.
Maroons legend and Titans ambassador Gorden Tallis said he hoped Fa’asuamaleaui’s happiness at the Gold Coast would see him remain at the club long-term.
“When he comes off-contract there will be a lot of clubs talking to him but you would love him to stay,” he said. “He committed to the club and wanted to come home. From all reports he is super happy there.
“I don’t think he would want to leave given what is building there. I’m confident we are heading in the right direction.
“Hopefully we are in a situation where he doesn’t want to leave the club.”
If the NRL approves expansion for either the Brisbane Jets, Firehawks or Dolphins in July, the winning bid team will only have a few months to assemble recruitment targets before the 2023 free agents hit the open market in November this year.
The Jets bid team — based closest to the Gold Coast of the three expansion hopefuls — have already met the Titans to strike a collaborative partnership.
Jets recruitment manager Scott Sattler, the Titans’ foundation football chief, said they would not target Fa’asuamaleaui behind the Gold Coast’s back.
“Tino is heading in the direction of being a marquee player for any club,” he said.
“I was aware of the clause in his contract, but the Brisbane Jets will always be really respectful while being robust in our decisions around players.
“I’m really respectful of Tino and his family. The Titans showed a lot of faith in spending a lot of money on a kid that wasn’t a starting forward but wanted to be the cornerstone of their club.
“I’m really respectful of the Gold Coast Titans giving him that opportunity. I’d like to think we would go through the front door first given the Titans have given him an opportunity.
“A lot of discussions need to be had before a decision of that nature is made. The Titans are a club trying to grow. It’s not about trying to work against each other in southeast Queensland. It’s about working collaboratively to grow the game and build participation.
“We aren’t going to play the nice guys all the time. You have to stand up for what you believe in. But there is also a gentlemen’s agreement about being able to have those open conversations.”
Earlier this year, Fa’asuamaleaui said he wanted to help the Titans become a powerhouse of the NRL like his former club Melbourne.
“There is a good culture we are building here and hopefully we can build into a powerhouse like the Storm, Roosters and Rabbitohs,” he said.
“That is our goal and it is starting. We’ve got a good bunch of boys here and a young crew that will be here for a while.
“I’ve really enjoyed it. I’m close to family and have a good bunch of boys, coaching staff and team. I am happy I’ve made the move.
“We’re slowly building at the moment. There’s a lot of little steps before we start thinking about being a powerhouse.
“I want to show the boys that we can do it no matter what, as long as you work hard.
“Hopefully one day we can bring a premiership home for the town.”
Fa’asuamaleaui will start in the front row in his return from suspension and Holbrook said he would be a huge inclusion.
“He will be massive, you throw Tino on the field and we probably win both of those games (Rabbitohs and Broncos losses) and not under as much scrutiny,” he said.
“He brings a presence and the competitiveness in him is a huge boost for everyone.
“The minute he came to training I had to tell him to slow down and calm down. I knew what we were going to get from him and off the back of the season he had last year with Melbourne.
“For a young guy, he sets some unbelievable standards, not just for himself but everyone around him. As coaches, you don’t want to put expectations on guys but he can handle it.”
SEA EAGLES KEEN TO KEEP OLD FIRM TOGETHER
By Dean Ritchie
Manly is ready to strike the “Daly Double”.
Just three days after the club revealed a desire to extend halfback Daly Cherry-Evans’ contract, News Corp has been told Manly is in negotiations to re-sign partner Kieran Foran.
The veteran double act could be back again in 2022.
Foran, 30, comes off a one-year deal at Brookvale after this season.
Cherry-Evans and Foran, who returned to Manly from Canterbury this season, have posted some solid stats this season, their individual form improving since the return from injury of fullback Tom Trbojevic.
The pair guided Manly to a grand final win in 2011.
Foran’s manager, Sam Ayoub, revealed his client and Manly had engaged in contract discussions.
“That is the right – Manly is genuinely keen on retaining him and why wouldn’t they?” Ayoub said. “The club is very happy with his input and his professionalism – they are happy with everything about him, to be honest.
“I have had a number of discussions (with Manly). At this stage we have spoken about another one year. That discussion is still going and it’s looking positive.
“They like the influence he has around the place and feedback on him has been great. The other players love him. The club wants him and the players are all over it.”
Asked if Foran’s body could sustain another season, Ayoub said: “He played 14 games straight last year before he did his pec, which was an impact injury. In 14 games, he was Canterbury’s player of the year. This year he has played eight straight games.”
Foran said recently: “It has been great coming back here to Manly – I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it so far. Providing I can stay injury-free and play good footy and bring something to this club, then of course I want to continue to play as long as I can play.”
Manly has also begun negotiations to extend Cherry-Evans, even though the halfback doesn’t come off contract until after 2023. The move is certain to end talk linking Cherry-Evans to Souths, Brisbane and Canterbury.
Retaining Cherry-Evans and Foran for another season may mean rising star Josh Schuster remains in the back-row. Manly officially re-signed Schuster on Thursday to a deal that takes him through to the end of 2024.
Earlier this week, Manly coach Des Hasler assured Cherry-Evans, 32, he wouldn’t be shopped around.
“Any uncertainty is quickly going away, that’s for sure,” Cherry-Evans said. “It’s nice to have those conversations with those people – it’s been a weird couple of weeks though, I didn’t see that coming.
“Internally, I’m feeling a lot better about where things are at. I’ve still got so long to go on my contract, so I’m personally not too worried about re-signing. If that came up, no doubt about it, I’d love to do it.”
DCE’S NEW ‘LIFE’ DEAL AT MANLY
By Dean Ritchie
Forget the rumours he is leaving – here’s the truth. Manly skipper Daly Cherry-Evans is in discussions about extending his deal at Brookvale until the end of either 2024 or 2025.
The surprise development will finally cease speculation Cherry-Evans will be asked to leave because of salary cap issues, has been approached by Brisbane or wants to join South Sydney.
Cherry-Evans started as a Sea Eagle and will retire a Sea Eagle.
He famously signed a $10 million, eight-year contract in 2015, after backflipping on a deal to join Gold Coast. Even with 2½ years remaining on his current contract, Manly wants to lock in Cherry-Evans for a contract extension.
“Daly will be a one-club player and discussions have already begun to extend his contract,” coach Des Hasler said.
The new deal, which could be nailed down within weeks, will span either one or two years.
“Our strong desire is for Daly to play his entire NRL career at the Sea Eagles and become a proud one-club player,” Manly chief executive Stephen Humphreys said.
“He is under contract for a further two seasons after the current one and we have never entertained the thought of him not being in our colours.
“Daly is the ultimate professional who is confident of playing beyond 2023. If that’s the case then we definitely want that to be with Manly.”
Cherry-Evans turned 32 in February and would be 34 when his current contract expires.
A one-year extension would have Cherry-Evans retiring at 35, a two-year deal at 36.
Former Roosters halfback Cooper Cronk played until he was 36, Queensland teammate Cam Smith continued until he was 37. Both won grand finals in their last NRL games.
Speculation has been swirling about Cherry-Evans wanting to move to Souths, given halfback Adam Reynolds is set to leave at Redfern. Then there was chatter about Cherry-Evans returning to Queensland to help end Brisbane’s ongoing problems in the halves.
That followed a suggestion Hasler was battling salary cap problems and would be forced to shop around Cherry-Evans. Hasler has successfully reworked Manly’s once messy salary cap after playing with a reduced cap in 2018 and ‘19 for breaches.
All rumours proved incorrect.
“I have no doubt age will slow me down at some point, it does that for everyone, but I just think it’s definitely not right now,” Cherry-Evans told The Sunday Telegraph.
“I have three years left and a lot would have to change for me to ever leave Manly.”
Cherry-Evans said he has been falsely linked with rival clubs just about every season.
“When these rumours (of being moved on) come up, you find out pretty quickly how much support you have at the club,” he said. “I’m sure the right people at Manly will get in contact with me and reassure me that’s not the case.
“It seems to be the yearly rumour. Usually, it comes up in October, but here we are in May and it’s started already.
“I understand the coverage of rugby league is there to create content and get the fans talking about rugby league, but I take all the speculation with a grain of salt.
“If Manly ever tapped me on the shoulder and said: ‘Daly, you are no good to us’ then I would have to go elsewhere.”
DCE speaks out on Broncos move
- Peter Badel
Daly Cherry-Evans has broken his silence on speculation he is set to be offloaded to the Broncos with the Manly skipper revealing his ambition to finish his NRL career at the Sea Eagles.
In a wide-ranging interview with The Sunday Mail, Cherry-Evans addressed the Broncos rumours, insisted he could sign one more deal with Manly and declared Roosters whiz-kid Sam Walker as his possible successor in the Queensland Origin jumper.
The Queensland Origin skipper has been buffeted by speculation he could be jettisoned by Manly and released to the Broncos at season‘s end due to salary-cap pressures at Brookvale.
“A lot would have to change for me to ever leave Manly,” he said.
THE BRONCOS
The Maroons playmaker has consistently been linked with a return home to play for the Broncos, dating back to 2014 when Anthony Griffin was coaching at Brisbane.
Cherry-Evans will face Brisbane on Friday week when Manly travel to Queensland for the NRL Magic Round, but the Sea Eagles maestro insists that will be the closest he comes to a Broncos jumper at Suncorp Stadium.
“It seems to be the yearly rumour,” Cherry-Evans said of his Broncos links.
“Usually, it comes up in October, but here we are in May and it‘s started already.
“I understand the coverage of rugby league is there to create content and get the fans talking about rugby league, but I take all the speculation with a grain of salt.
“If Manly ever tapped me on the shoulder and Daly, you are no good to us, then I would have to go elsewhere, but to be honest, I‘m not the answer for the Broncos.”
MANLY MINEFIELD
The Sea Eagles are said to be battling salary-cap pressures, putting Cherry-Evans‘ tenure at the club under the microscope.
Cherry-Evans is the highest-paid player in the NRL on a $1.25 million-a-season deal. It is the type of contract that can cripple a club under the salary cap and there is speculation Manly management may look to offload their No. 1-ranked player on a subsidised deal.
Souths have also been mentioned as a possible destination, but Cherry-Evans is determined to honour his Sea Eagles contract, which expires at the end of 2023, and hopes Manly bosses feel the same way.
“Look, I am happy at Manly,” he said.
“I‘ve always said I love playing at Manly, playing for Manly and living in the community.
“When these rumours (of being moved on) come up, you find out pretty quickly how much support you have at the club.
“I‘m sure the right people at Manly will get in contact with me and reassure me that’s not the case.
“I haven‘t spoken to anyone at the club. I’m paid to play footy and produce results and the first four weeks that didn’t happen. But I feel I’ve turned my individual form around so I’m more worried about getting Manly on track than calling club officials.
“I‘m not naive to think it (Cherry-Evans being offloaded) couldn’t happen one day because rugby league is hell of a game and contract situations change very quickly. I know that happens. But if I‘m lucky enough to choose the way I want my career to finish, I want it to finish at Manly.”
PLAYING ON
When Cherry-Evans signed his eight-year, $10 million contract in 2015, it was touted as the deal that would carry him into NRL retirement. But the 244-game premiership halfback says he could sign another deal to play on in 2024, by which time he would celebrate his 35th birthday.
Former Maroons teammates Cooper Cronk and Cameron Smith played until the age of 36 and 37 respectively.
“I have no doubt age will slow me down at some point, it does that for everyone, but I just think it‘s definitely not right now,” said DCE, who turned 32 in February.
“I have three years left.
“I know I have to uphold my end of the bargain and play good football, but I am pretty confident I can play well enough to see out my contract and maybe a few more years.
“I‘d like to think I can play on. I’m optimistic. I know things can change quickly. I would like to think I can sign one more deal.
“Cam Smith played until 37, he is a bit of a unicorn, but it‘s not too uncommon for players to play until their mid-30s now. I don’t think that’s out of reason for me.”
SAM WALKER
The Roosters whiz-kid has hit the NRL like a tsunami. There is even better news for Maroons fans – the 18-year-old from Ipswich is eligible for Queensland and Cherry-Evans believes Walker can succeed him in the No. 7 jumper.
“It‘s exciting to see a Queensland kid of his talent coming through,” he said.
“I had to wait such a long time to become a genuine Origin half. I always thought I was up to it earlier than it came but it‘s important for Queensland to have depth in key positions. Every year people question Queensland’s depth but every series we manage to put together the best 17 for each game and they do the Maroon jumper proud.
“Sam is such a freakish talent for his age and the NRL doesn‘t look too big for him at all.
“If you play well at NRL level consistently, you will play Origin at some stage and I‘d love to meet Sam one day. Who knows? He could end up taking my spot.”
ORIGIN HEROICS
Cherry-Evans was once reviled by Queensland fans for reneging on his Titans contract in 2015. But he feels he won over some hearts by skippering the Maroons to last year‘s series boilover of the Blues.
“Last year was really special,” he said.
“It was made a lot more special with the journey I had taken falling out of the Queensland side and I fell out of favour with the fans and the people of Queensland.
“So to be able to feel that I won back some support, I felt like I did it at that moment when I held the shield up.
“It was a proud moment, not just for me but the whole Queensland team. I want to create that special feeling again.”
More Coverage
Originally published as NRL 2021: Contract clause puts Titans star Tino Fa’asuamaleaui in crosshairs of expansion club
Gus’ ‘doctored’ claim ignites NRL conspiracy
The NRL Grand Final’s controversial no try scandal has taken a wild turn despite the game releasing the angle the decision was based on.
Kangaroos selection shocks: NRL legends’ Test careers appear over
Mal Meninga has dropped a major selection bombshell by overlooking both James Tedesco and Kalyn Ponga for Kangaroos selection, with the list of surprise omissions and debutants not ending there. See the full squad.