NRL 2016: Around the grounds club news — contracts, injuries and possible rep call-ups

JOSH Mansour has kickstarted negotiations to extend his Penrith career. We take you around the grounds to find out what’s happening in clubland.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 18: Josh Mansour of the Panthers is tackled during the round seven NRL match between the Sydney Roosters and the Penrith Panthers at Allianz Stadium on April 18, 2016 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

EVERY NRL club, every week.

We take you around the grounds to find out what’s happening in clubland.

BRONCOS

ANTHONY Milford is in discussions with Nike to extend and increase his association with the global company and expand his commercial brand.

On the back of Milford’s majestic form to start the season, The Sunday Telegraph can reveal the playmaker has been approached by Nike to take on a greater role.

“Nike is keen to do more with Anthony and that’s something we are working towards,” Milford’s manager Sam Ayoub said.

Meanwhile, Ayoub admitted Milford would happily play for Samoa if the international eligibility rules allowed him.

“In a perfect world he would love to represent Samoa if it didn’t inhibit him from representing Queensland and Australia,” Ayoub said. “So, unfortunately he can’t play for Samoa because of the rules.”

Marika Koroibete’s switch to rugby union isn’t finalised yet.

STORM

MARIKA Koroibete is yet to receive a formal offer from the Melbourne Rebels despite his manager meeting with the Super Rugby franchise this week.

Koroibete, off-contract this season, is currently weighing up his options. The Fijian-born flyer played rugby as a youngster.

Koroibete has already received a formal offer from the Storm and will spend the coming weeks considering his future before making a decision on whether to switch codes.

COWBOYS

JOHNATHAN Thurston is edging closer to officially committing to the club for one more season in 2018.

Thurston has held preliminary talks about extending his contract, but it’s understood the club is keen to ramp-up discussions and lock in the champion.

JT’s signature can be used as a major carrot in retaining and luring talent, like fullback Lachlan Coote — who is expected to knock back big dollars from rivals to remain in Townsville. But the club still faces a challenge to keep its current squad together.

Greg Eastwood look set to stay at Belmore.

BULLDOGS

THE chances of Greg Eastwood remaining at Belmore beyond this season have received a boost with St George Illawarra and Melbourne ruling themselves out of contention for the New Zealand international forward’s services.

Eastwood, who is off-contract this season, has attracted interest from a number of clubs.

The 29-year-old’s first preference is to stay at Canterbury and talks will continue with the club in the coming weeks.

SHARKS

CLUB officials will meet with Mick Ennis’s manager this week to finalise a deal to retain the hooker beyond this season. Ennis has been in negotiations for months and it’s understood the veteran No.9 is keen for at least one more year in the Shire.

Cronulla would like to keep the diminutive dummy-half, but they are also weighing up the futures of fellow off-contract veterans Paul Gallen and Luke Lewis. Both Gallen and Lewis remain undecided if they’ll play on in 2017.

Mitch Aubusson looks set to finish his career with the tricolours.

ROOSTERS

MITCHELL Aubusson is set to sign a three-year extension in the coming weeks to keep him at the club until the end of the 2019 season. Aubusson wants to finish his career as a one-club player and the club is more than happy to accommodate.

The versatile back-rower has been a major part of the strong culture at the Roosters under the coaching of Trent Robinson. Aubusson’s Roosters will take on the Dragons in the traditional Anzac Day clash at Allianz Stadium on Monday.

EELS

PARRAMATTA fans won’t like it when the NRL imposes its salary cap penalty on the club, but it will also pave the way for the Eels to retain a cast of off-contract stars. Nathan Peats and Corey Norman have refused to enter talks until the NRL concludes its investigation and hands down any punishment.

With the NRL reportedly closing in on a resolution, it will open the door for Peats and Norman to ramp-up discussions to remain at the club beyond this season. Both have attracted interest from rival clubs.

Josh Mansour is in talks to extend his Penrith contract.

PANTHERS

JOSH Mansour has kickstarted negotiations to extend his career at the foot of the mountains.

Mansour, who has played every match this season, recently met with general manager Phil Gould about extending his stay with the Panthers. The star centre is also in the mix to represent Australia in next month’s Test against New Zealand in Newcastle.

Meanwhile, James Tamou hasn’t received an offer from Penrith despite reports linking the North Queensland prop to the club.

RAIDERS

FORMER Newcastle hooker Adam Clydsdale remains hopeful of playing more NRL at Canberra despite spending most of the year with Mounties in the Intrust Super NSW premiership.

Clydsdale signed a two-year deal at the Raiders, but is yet to play first grade due to a shoulder injury suffered in the preseason and the presence of incumbent No. 9 Josh Hodgson. The Scone-born rake has been close to Country call-up in the past and would provide Ricky Stuart with invaluable depth.

Jamie Lyon’s future at Manly remains a subject of much discussion.

SEA EAGLES

JAMIE Lyon will meet with his manager, George Mimis, this week to discuss his future beyond 2016.

Lyon has already started talks with coach Trent Barrett and indicated his desire to play on.

Barrett said the champion centre deserves to go out on his own terms, but this could change after the club secured former Cowboys centre Matthew Wright on a three-year deal.

Mimis wants to speak with Lyon first before entering negotiations with the club.

DRAGONS

HOOKER Mitch Rein is on track to remain at St George Illawarra beyond this season, with discussions well advanced.

Rein has been one of the Dragons’ most consistent performers this year and is one of the club’s major priorities to lock in, alongside back-rower Joel Thompson.

Rein is also in line to represent Country in the annual fixture against City in Tamworth on May 8.

Aaron Woods is hoping to be match-fit for Origin I.

WESTS TIGERS

AARON Woods has started rehabilitation on his injured ankle and is working towards a round-10 comeback against the Bulldogs. Woods, who fell awkwardly on his ankle in the club’s loss to Newcastle two weeks ago, is working overtime in a bid to return to the playing field.

The big prop has extra time up his sleeve, with the representative weekend scheduled before the Canterbury clash opening the door for him to be fit and firing for the opening State of Origin game at ANZ Stadium on June 1.

KNIGHTS

NEWCASTLE is in the process of upgrading the contract of young flyer Cory Denniss in the wake of his rise to the NRL this season.

Denniss signed a minimum $2000 deal when he started in the S.G. Ball ranks, but has picked up $6000 for his two NRL gigs. The Belmont-born winger hasn’t played first grade since the loss to the Warriors but is still part of the club’s long-term plans.

The Knights hope to maintain their unbeaten run at Hunter Stadium against Manly.

The Rabbitohs could do with a boost like Alex Johnston returning.

RABBITOHS

SOUTHS remain hopeful winger Alex Johnston will return from a hamstring injury early next month.

Johnston picked up the injury in training and hasn’t played since round four against the Dragons at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

The Rabbitohs have struggled in the flying winger’s absence, with the men from Redfern winning just one match. Johnston is doing everything in his power to return to help Souths and also push his claims for a maiden NSW Origin jumper.

WARRIORS

NEW Zealand Test coach Stephen Kearney will keep a close eye on the Warriors when they take on Melbourne at AAMI Park.

Kearney is in the final stages of selecting his Kiwi side for next month’s Test against the Kangaroos in Newcastle and has a few Warriors in mind.

On top of obvious choices like Shaun Johnson, Issac Luke and Simon Mannering, the Test mentor is also weighing up players like Sam Lisone, who was born in Auckland but represented Samoa last year.

TITANS

DAVID Mead is keen to take part in the representative round in two weeks, but he is yet to decide if he’ll play for NSW Country or his homeland Papua New Guinea.

Mead has played for Country in the past two years under the coaching of Trent Barrett, but he is also eligible to represent PNG. It’s understood the flyer will make a decision in the coming weeks. Mead’s situation highlights the need for change with the current eligibility rules around international football.

Originally published as NRL 2016: Around the grounds club news — contracts, injuries and possible rep call-ups