NRL trade news: Wests Tigers’ Luke Brooks play to lure Parramatta star Mitch Moses home
Wests Tigers have hatched a plan to capitalise on Parramatta’s sluggish response to Mitch Moses’ contract situation and bring the halfback ‘home’. NRL trade news.
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The clock is ticking on Parramatta as the Wests Tigers piece together an ambitious November 1 plan aimed at reuniting Luke Brooks and Mitchell Moses in the halves.
The Tigers continue to aim high under the stewardship of Tim Sheens, Benji Marshall and Robbie Farah. Having contacted Braith Anasta to inquire about Cameron Munster, it can be revealed that the Tigers have spoken about making a move for Moses, who is off contract at the end of next season but free to sign with rival clubs from November 1.
The plan would also likely involve Brooks given the pair are close mates who played lower grades together at the Tigers.
They went their separate ways at the end of 2017 but Tigers officials are eyeing off a reunion as they look to give Marshall the tools to succeed when he takes over at the start of 2025.
Marshall has personally reached out to Moses to make him aware of the club’s interest and contrary to reports, he has the backing of the club as they look to bring the Eels No.7 home after six seasons at Parramatta.
The Eels have a fight on their hands. News Corp understands that aside from the Tigers, at least two other clubs have expressed an interest in signing Moses after November 1.
Moses’ future has been simmering for months and it is set to heat up after Parramatta’s season comes to an end, potentially on grand final day.
If Moses can lead the Eels to the final weekend of the season, his price will skyrocket. He is already expected to enter the million-dollar bracket when he negotiates a new deal from 2024 - his current contract includes a healthy base figure but only enters the seven-figure bracket should he lead the club to a title.
He is only two wins away from achieving that goal, although the Eels will have to go through Townsville to make it to the grand final.
Brooks’ future could also hinge on whether the Tigers are successful in convincing Moses to return - the chance to play together may be enough to convince him to spurn interest from Newcastle to commit his future to the Tigers.
Munster is also in the Tigers’ sights after the club vowed to match any offer he received from rival clubs once he formally hits the market on November 1.
The Storm pivot has a three-year extension on the table from Melbourne and is expected to make a decision within days on whether to accept their deal.
Should he decide to explore his options, clubs are queuing for his services. It would also send the Storm back into the market to find a five-eighth - they are believed to have sounded out Dylan Brown and Matt Burton over their interest in moving south.
Burton has an extension on the table from the Bulldogs believed to be worth $3 million over four years but could pick up more on the open market.
Bronco’s contract, Cows shoot-down Roosters
- Peter Badel
Veteran Brisbane winger Corey Oates has ended months of speculation over his future by inking a short-term deal to remain at the Broncos next season.
Oates finished the final round of the 2022 regular season without a contract for next season but the 27-year-old has finally sorted out his future, signing a one-year deal to ensure he will be in Broncos colours in 2023.
Oates produced the best form of his 10-year career this season, scoring 20 tries from 22 games in a performance that saw the parties discuss a multi-year contract for the hard-running winger.
Having fought his way back into the Queensland Origin side, a rejuvenated Oates was linked with new NRL franchise the Dolphins, but he ultimately agreed terms on a 12-month extension for an 11th season with the Broncos next year.
Brisbane coach Kevin Walters said the club never wanted to lose Oates in his quest to become a Bronco for life.
“It’s terrific to see him stay here at the Broncos,” Walters said.
“Corey has had a great year and scored a heap of tries, made plenty of strong returns as well as catching the high balls really well.
“His great form this season is tribute to him and the work he’s put into his game, and it was good to see him get another chance playing for Queensland and deliver for the Maroons at Suncorp.
“Corey showed a lot of maturity for us this season and set a great example of the younger players we have coming through our squad and we look forward to more of that in 2023.”
Intriguingly, Oates’ one-year deal means he will effectively become a free agent again in just six weeks’ time.
From November 1, Oates will be able to field offers from NRL rivals and he will be playing for his future when the Broncos kick-off for the 2023 premiership in March.
The big Biloela-born winger’s 20-try haul in 2022 was his best in 10 seasons in the NRL and came with a huge 169 running metres per game for the Broncos in 2022 as well as 79 tackle busts and 18 line breaks.
That form prompted his recall to the Queensland team for the series decider at Suncorp, with Oates playing strongly as the Maroons claimed an epic 22-12 boilover of the Blues to clinch the Origin shield.
Axed to the Queensland Cup by Walters just a year earlier, Oates rebounded superbly this season and is relishing a more senior role in the Broncos team.
The fearless ball runner has scored 118 tries from 192 matches for Brisbane and is on track to chalk up his 200th appearance in Broncos colours next season.
Cowboys shoot down Nanai poachers
Jeremiah Nanai says he has no intention of quitting North Queensland with the Cowboys kicking off $2 million extension talks in a bid to stave off big-money poaching raids on the Queensland Origin young gun.
News Corp can reveal the Cowboys have launched preliminary negotiations with Nanai’s management as the back-row sensation prepares for Friday night’s grand-final qualifier against the Eels in Townsville.
Nanai only signed a one-year deal in April to remain at the Cowboys until the end of 2023, meaning the 19-year-old will become a free agent from November 1.
Since signing his 12-month extension, Nanai has become one of the hottest forward properties in the code, clinching a Queensland Origin debut on his way to 17 tries from 22 appearances this season.
Nanai’s skill, power and aerial tryscoring brilliance has piqued the interest of several NRL rivals, including Wayne Bennett’s Dolphins and NRL glamour club the Sydney Roosters.
But Cowboys football boss Micheal Luck says the club has no plans to lose Nanai and remains confident the classy back-rower will stay loyal - even if he chooses to test his value on the open market after North Queensland’s finals campaign.
“We’d love for Jeremiah to be a Cowboy for a long period of time,” Luck said.
“This club was established to give players from North Queensland an opportunity to play in the NRL without leaving home and he certainly fits that mould.
“He has developed exceptionally under (Cowboys coach) Todd Payten’s guidance over the last few years and we look forward to watching him continue to grow at the Cowboys.”
Now an Origin player, Nanai’s value will soar even more if he is handed a maiden Australian jumper by Test coach Mal Meninga for the Kangaroos’ upcoming World Cup campaign.
The Cowboys are open to a long-term deal for Nanai, who could easily command more than $700,000 on the open market.
Over a three-year term, Nanai stands to earn $2 million-plus by inking a new Cowboys upgrade, and potentially more if he went to the highest bidder.
Powerful Sydney giants the Roosters rarely miss out on players they target, but Nanai recently bought his first home in Townsville and says his preference is to be part of a premiership dynasty at the Cowboys.
“I’ve bought a home up here and I would love to stay here,” Nanai said.
“I have got everything I need here, my family, my partner and some friendships that have grown at the club.
“I’m really enjoying my football here and we have a great group of players who can do something special together.
“I would love to stay at the Cowboys and I hope another contract comes.”
Nanai was typically busy in the Cowboys’ 32-30 golden-point finals defeat of Cronulla a fortnight ago, which gave North Queensland a week off ahead of this week’s sudden-death preliminary final against the Eels.
Nanai is set to oppose towering Eels back-rower Shaun Lane and is ready to fight fire with fire with Parramatta’s X-factor on the fringes.
“We have beaten Parra this season and they will come hard at us again,” Nanai said.
“I don’t watch too much of the other teams, but Shaun Lane is a very good player. I have seen some of his highlights, he runs good lines and has a good offload in him.
“It’s been a long year but my body is still feeling good. Mentally it can be tough at times. I can’t believe the year I’ve had, it’s great to be in the finals and now we are one win away from the big one.
“Everyone doubted us (the Cowboys) but we proved to everyone we are a top-eight team.
“We have gotten this far and hopefully we get another win and get to play in a grand final.”
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