NRL market watch: Trey Mooney inks big extension with Raiders, Adam Doueihi yet to Tigers deal

Fresh from extending coach Ricky Stuart’s stay at the club the Canberra Raiders have added a multi-year extension to Trey Mooney’s contract. See the latest transfer news.

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 28: Trey Mooney of the Raiders passes the ball to a teammate during the round eight NRL match between Canberra Raiders and Cronulla Sharks at GIO Stadium, on April 28, 2024, in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)

The Raiders re-signing of head coach Ricky Stuart has had an immediate impact, with promising forward Trey Mooney set to re-sign with the Green Machine.

It’s understood Mooney has agreed to a multi-year deal that continues Canberra’s retention of their hottest young prospects.

The 22-year-old was off-contract at the end of this season and had interest from rival clubs, including the Knights and Bulldogs.

However, with Stuart locked in until the end of 2029, the power forward is backing his ability to develop under the head coach and ultimately replace veteran Josh Papalii in the future.

Mooney’s re-signing adds to the Raiders next-generation of talent including Xavier Savage (2025), Sebastian Kris (2027), Chevy Stewart (2027) and Ethan Strange (2028).

The Raiders have also poached Eels halfback Ethan Sanders on a three-year deal.

Trey Mooney has extended his stay at the Raiders. Picture: Getty Images

TIGERS DENY ‘LOW BALLING’ DOUEIHI

Wests Tigers CEO Shane Richardson has denied ‘low balling’ playmaker Adam Doueihi and revealed the club is yet to formally offer the injured star a deal for 2025.

It was reported that the Tigers had moved to secure Doueihi, who is sidelined with a third ACL, on a $150,000 one year deal, which some pundits had labelled a ‘low ball’ offer.

But Richardson told this masthead on Tuesday that no official offer had been made, and instead, the club has opted to leave the final spot in its 2025 roster open for Doueihi.

Doueihi was believed to be on around $600,000 per season in 2023, before agreeing to a one-year extension for 2024.

“We haven’t offered Doueihi a one year deal, what we have done is try to keep a spot open for him until he gets back onto the field which is probably mid-June, so if he comes back we can then make him an offer,” Richardson said.

It’s understood Doueihi has expressed a strong interest in remaining at Concord beyond this season.

Adam Doueihi has had rotten luck with injuries. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

The club has been on a recruitment spree as part of the rebuilding process under rookie coach Benji Marshall.

As well as securing the likes of Jayden Sullivan and brothers Latu and Samuela Fainu, the Tigers have also landed two major signing coups after signing Penrith Panthers duo Jarome Luai and winger Sunia Turuva.

Luai came with a hefty price tag at around $6 million over five years, while Turuva also received a significant upgrade after agreeing to join the club on a three-year deal worth around $1.3 million.

The additions of Sullivan, Fainu, Aidan Sezer, the rise of rookie Lachlan Galvin and arrival on Luai in 2025 has created a surplus of halves at the club.

But Doueihi comes with the added advantage of versatility and can play in a number of positions in the backline including at centre and fullback.

Adam Doueihi is on track to return later this season.

Richardson admits the roster rebuild has come at a price, meaning any deal offered to Doueihi right now would have to be close to minimum wage.

But the CEO said the club could be in a position to table a ‘decent offer’ at a later date.

“We’re not low balling him, at the moment the situation is that we have one spot open and we are trying to keep it open for him and we’ll do our best to make him a decent offer,” Richardson said.

“Adam and I have spoken, we are in a good spot for next year with the roster, we have made it clear to Adam we would like him to be there.”

Doueihi has had a wretched run with injury and suffered a third ACL in round six last year.

The 25-year-old has returned to full contact training and medical staff are hopeful the playmaker can return to the field in rounds 16-17.

Richardson said the two parties would finalise arrangements after his return date.

“We are planning to sit down and finalise things when he gets back onto the field, which is at this point probably around mid-June,” Richardson said.

Originally published as NRL market watch: Trey Mooney inks big extension with Raiders, Adam Doueihi yet to Tigers deal