Market Watch: Off-contract State of Origin stars revealed

A host of State of Origin stars are locked in big-money talks ahead of the series opener — check out which players are coming off-contract.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – MAY 22: Liam Martin of the Blues poses during a NSW Blues State of Origin Media Opportunity at the Crowne Plaza, Coogee on May 22, 2023 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

NSW forward Liam Martin will play in the State of Origin opener knowing he is locked in $1.7 million contract negotiations with Penrith.

After losing Viliame Kikau, Api Koroisau and Matt Burton in recent years due to salary cap pressure, and with Stephen Crichton leaving after this year, the key question is whether the Panthers can retain Martin.

He is under contract until the end of next season with a proposed three-deal year deal to keep him at Penrith until the end of 2027.

Martin is free to negotiate with rival clubs from November 1.

“We’re in the middle of negotiations for a further extension beyond 2024,” said Martin’s manager, Allan Gainey.

“We have to determine the length of the deal and then get down to the tin tacks of where it’s at.

“Naturally that will be put on hold while Liam is in Origin camp – I won’t be talking to him over the Origin period and we will see where it goes after that.”

Will the Panthers have enough cash to retain Liam Martin? (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Asked if Martin would prefer to re-sign, Gainey said: “I think he would but it depends. They have to do (Scott) Sorensen, they’ve got the fullback (Dylan Edwards), they’ve got (Jarome) Luai.

“It will depend where their salary cap is and what their priorities are. They’ve got a few blokes they need to get done as well. I don’t know whether they’re under salary cap pressure but they seem pretty well organised.

“Naturally, there have been inquiries made of Liam about when he comes off. There is interest but I have said we will be doing the right thing and looking at his incumbent club, show loyalty to the club and see where we end up there.

“Where and how they fit them all in, I really don’t know.”

Panthers NRL chief executive Matt Cameron was confident his club could retain the Origin and Test backrower.

“Liam is a great example of what we continue to do here at the Panthers and look forward to securing his contract extension once he returns from Origin duties,” Cameron said.

Martin signed a one-year extension just last year.

Before re-signing in 2022, Martin had to consider strong interest from Parramatta and St George Illawarra.

The Panthers say they won’t be talking with Martin about his deal over the Origin period. NRL Imagery

Sources at the time claim he agreed to an annual contract payment of around $550,000 a season.

Martin, it would appear, wants to remain at Penrith given his comments after re-signing last year.

“It means the world to me to re-sign with the Panthers,” Martin said. “This club gave me my first opportunity when I was 17 and it’s become a second home for me.

“I’m really happy to be staying here and I’m really excited for the future at the club and what we can build on following what we’ve really accomplished.”

Martin and his NSW teammates will fly to Adelaide on Monday to complete preparations for Origin I on Wednesday night.

It is likely Martin will start the game from the Blues’ bench.

Origin star breaks silence on secret clause

Travis Meyn

Maroons enforcer Tino Fa’asuamaleaui insists he is committed to the Gold Coast Titans following revelations a contract clause could allow him to hit the NRL’s open market this year.

Fa’asuamaleaui will make his 10th State of Origin appearance for Queensland in Wednesday night’s series-opener against NSW in Adelaide.

The hard-hitting front rower has become a staple of the Maroons’ engine room since his debut in Queensland’s famous 2020 series victory.

Fa’asuamaleaui, 23, hasn’t missed an Origin game since debuting and could reach the 30-game milestone if he maintains his career trajectory.

The Gympie product has also become a bedrock of the Titans after leaving Melbourne following the Storm’s 2020 NRL premiership season.

Tino Fa'asuamaleaui says he is committed to the Titans. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

Fa’asuamaleaui rejected an opportunity to join Wayne Bennett at the Dolphins for their debut NRL season this year, committing his long-term future to the Titans.

However his contract until the end of 2026 includes mutual option clauses for the 2025-26 seasons. That means Fa’asuamaleaui could be open to poaching raids from November this year for the 2025 season.

The Kangaroos forward’s rise to being one of the NRL’s top props has made him an attractive proposition for rival clubs.

The Titans have been patchy in a 5-6 start to the season, but Fa’asuamaleaui said he was committed to making Gold Coast a premiership contender when asked about his contract situation.

“I’m a Titan and will be until the end of 2026,” he said.

“I’m fully committed and want this club to go well. I’m so passionate about it and I want all the boys around me to think the same.

“We’ve got the team to do it. There’s been glimpses of it this year that we are a top four side and there’s other times where we let ourselves down.

“Having that young group, we’ve got to learn from it and bounce back for the rest of the season.”

Fa'asuamaleaui has pledged his future to Gold Coast. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

While the Titans have recorded encouraging wins against the Storm, Eels and Sea Eagles this year, they have also squandered leads to the Broncos, Dolphins, Knights and Bulldogs.

That has put the spotlight on coach Justin Holbrook following last year’s bottom four finish and the Titans are facing a crucial month following this weekend’s bye.

An emotional Fa’asuamaleaui said the Titans had a “s*** attitude” in the moments after blowing a 26-0 lead to the Dolphins and the team’s mental resilience has been questioned.

But the Gold Coast skipper said he hadn’t lost faith in his teammates.

“It’s very frustrating, especially the last two weeks (losses to Knights and Bulldogs),” he said.

“If you look at it, they were very winnable games and we were leading in the first half of both then the second halves let us down.

“It’s a long season. I’m happy the boys are having a week off. It’s come at a good time.

“They can mentally refresh and get rid of all that scrutiny and head noise. They can relax and go again against the Rabbitohs next week.”

Fa’asuamaleaui is hoping to back up after Origin I and face South Sydney at Cbus Super Stadium next Saturday.

Originally published as Market Watch: Off-contract State of Origin stars revealed