NRL 2020: Eels, Dragons and Bulldogs keen on John Asiata
John Asiata is one of the most popular players at the Cowboys, but the utility has decided to look for a fresh start – and three big Sydney teams are already knocking on his door.
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Cowboys premiership forward John Asiata is on the lookout for a new home after officially informing North Queensland bosses he is quitting the club.
News Corp can reveal Asiata’s successful seven-season stint with the Cowboys is over as the 27-year-old chases a regular starting position in his preferred No.13 jumper next year.
One of the club’s most popular players, the Cowboys were hopeful of retaining the off-contract Asiata, who was a member of North Queensland’s historic premiership-winning squad in 2015.
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But with Dally M sensation Jason Taumalolo entrenched in the lock position at the Cowboys, Asiata was resigned to looking elsewhere in a bid to play a more dominant role.
The Tongan international has played nine of his 10 games off the bench this season and has told Cowboys hierarchy he will sever ties at season’s end to embark on a new chapter in 2021.
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Asiata is weighing up interest from several clubs. He has held talks with incoming Bulldogs coach Trent Barrett, while his management has also had dialogue with Parramatta and the Dragons.
The services of the 127-game veteran have also been offered to the Broncos, who have put recruitment-and-retention talks on hold until they finalise a new coach to replace Anthony Seibold.
Teammate Taumalolo lauded the utility value that saw Asiata play a crucial interchange role in North Queensland’s epic grand-final defeat of the Broncos in 2015.
“I am upset that Johnny won’t be playing beside me next year,” Taumalolo said.
“I thought we would play out our careers together.
“I have learned a lot from Johnny, especially in my early years in the NRL. He is extremely professional and sets high standards and encourages everyone to commit to the standards set for the team.
“John also goes out of his way to talk to the young players about their training and he shows the way in his own training and preparation.
“We will miss John‘s leadership on the field as well. He is a calm voice behind the goal line and a guy who always keeps a cool head.”
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Asiata is one of the code’s most versatile players, having played prop, second row, lock, five-eighth and halfback for the Cowboys since his NRL debut in 2014.
The Cowboys’ Mr Fixit was linked with the Titans last month, but the Gold Coast have taken up salary-cap space with the purchases of forward trio David Fifita, Herman Ese’ese and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui.
Barrett is said to be a fan of Asiata’s style as the Bulldogs look for experience to haul them out of wooden-spoon territory next season.