NRL Market Watch: All the signing news ahead of the November 1 free agency date

While the Bulldogs have confirmed the signing of Josh Curran, the future of their club captain is still not settled. Plus the Roosters land mega pre-November 1 re-signing. NRL Market Watch

PENRITH, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 09: Josh Curran (C) of the Warriors reacts after losing the NRL Qualifying Final match between Penrith Panthers and New Zealand Warriors at BlueBet Stadium on September 09, 2023 in Penrith, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

The Roosters are set to complete a mega pre-November 1 re-signing spree with Siua Wong expected to re-sign for the next two years.

The Roosters have already agreed to long-term deals with Nat Butcher and Nafu Whyte and now the in-demand Wong will follow.

Wong was chased by both codes but the 20-year-old - who has played just 10 matches - will stay in the NRL until at least the end of 2026.

UNWANTED CLUB CAPTAIN WITHOUT 2024 HOME

Bulldogs captain Raymond Faitala-Mariner is still on the lookout for a new NRL home just days out from the start of the November 1 player market feeding frenzy.

It comes in the wake of confirmation the Dogs have signed highly rated Warriors forward Josh Curran on a two-year deal.

Faitala-Mariner, 30, is contracted until the end of 2025 but was given official permission to negotiate with rival clubs back in September.

But while it’s assumed Faitala-Mariner has played his last game for the Bulldogs, if he can’t find a new club the Dogs will be forced to honour the remaining two seasons of his current deal.

Raymond Faitala-Mariner (inset) is still without a contract, while Siua Wong re-sgned with the Roosters.

It is understood Mariner’s name has come up in discussions at several rival clubs, but so far there is no confirmation where he will end up.

And the situation that clouded his fall from grace at the Bulldogs this season certainly wouldn’t have helped his cause.

After being appointed Bulldogs’ club captain under new coach Cameron Ciraldo in January, Faitala-Mariner was limited to 14 games in 2023 due to injuries and sickness that led to pneumonia.

He also found himself caught up in a controversy that rocked the club after reports emerged that several players had approached Faitala-Mariner to express concerns about the club’s culture and training workloads.

That followed with confirmation the club captain would be free to negotiate elsewhere for 2024.

The Bulldogs’ roster has undergone a massive shake-up heading into next season with a stack of players already departing.

Cameron Ciraldo has made no apologies for a Bulldogs culture shake-up. Picture: Max Mason-Hubers

That includes the confirmed exit of Jake Averillo (Dolphins), Tevita Pangai Junior (retired), Kyle Flanagan (Dragons), Paul Alamoti (Panthers), Luke Thompson (Wigan) and Corey Waddell (Sea Eagles).

Fa’amanu Brown also left for the Knights but will be at Hull FC next year, joining Franklin Pele and Jayden Okunbor who have also signed with Hull FC, while Braidon Burns was off contract and has been linked to the Super League.

Andrew Davey was another who left the club mid-season to join Parramatta, with Davey copping huge backlash from former Bulldog James Graham following Davey’s public admission that he didn’t enjoy the Bulldogs culture.

Davey has since been medically retired after his short return at the Eels.

Andrew Davey has called time on his career after a turbulent 2023.

The Bulldogs have been busy in the market with confirmed signings including Bronson Xerri (return from ban), Stephen Crichton (Panthers), Blake Taaffe (Rabbitohs), Jaeman Salmon (Panthers) and now Curran.

There is also ongoing speculation about Josh Addo-Carr’s future, with rival clubs watching on with interest.

BULLDOGS SIGN KEY FORWARD

The Bulldogs recruitment drive into the 2024 season continues with talented Warriors forward Josh Curran headed to Belmore.

Adding much-needed potency to the Bulldogs forward pack, Curran has signed a multi-year deal to play under head coach Cameron Ciraldo.

Curran, 24, was given permission to negotiate by the Warriors at the end of the 2023 season with coach Andrew Webster determined to blood several of his promising young forwards.

Capable of playing as a middle forward or on the edge as a backrower, Curran produced some of his best football across 23-games for the Warriors in 2023.

He attracted interest from several clubs, but has decided to join the Bulldogs following a meeting with Ciraldo last weekend.

On a mission to respond from a disappointing 2023 season, Curran’s signature takes the Bulldogs gains for 2024 to a total of nine new players.

Josh Curran is headed to Belmore. Picture: Getty Images

Stephen Crichton (Panthers), Jaeman Salmon (Panthers), Blake Taaffe (Rabbitohs, 2025), Drew Hutchison (Roosters), Kurt Mann (Knights), Siosiua Taukeiaho (Catalans), Jake Turpin (Roosters) and Bronson Xerri (2025) will all join the club ahead of the 2024 season.

Curran’s signing has emerged in the wake of a flurry of pre-November 1 recruitment activity.

The Bulldogs have confirmed the re-signing of winger Blake Wilson on a new two-year deal, as first revealed last month by this masthead.

Meanwhile, the Knights have also extended the contract of talented hooker/half Phoenix Crossland, through until the end of 2026.

Crossland’s re-signing has led to discussion throughout the game over the security of co-captain Jayden Brailey’s ongoing tenure at the club.

Down in Canberra, the Raiders have formally announced the acquisition of Manly fullback/half Kaeo Weekes until the end of 2025.

Originally published as NRL Market Watch: All the signing news ahead of the November 1 free agency date