Manly to re-sign powerful centre Moses Suli in blow to St George Illawarra Dragons

St George Illawarra were set to make Manly powerhouse Moses Suli among the best-paid centres in the game. But in the latest blow to the NRL basket case, he’s given them a trademark fend.

Moses Suli of the Sea Eagles fends off a tackle from Dane Gagai of the Rabbitohs during the First Semi Final between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the Manly Sea Eagles in week 2 of the NRL Finals Series at ANZ Stadium in Sydney, Friday, September 20, 2019. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

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Manly will re-sign giant centre Moses Suli this week after his main suitor, St George Illawarra, withdrew their offer.

Suli, 21, was offered a three-year deal with the Dragons worth about $1.7 million but the two parties couldn’t nail down a final deal.

Instead, Suli will sign a two-year deal with the Sea Eagles worth about $800,000 in total.

Suli was off-contract at Manly after this season.

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Moses Suli will stick around for another two seasons at the Sea Eagles. Picture: Getty

Suli appears to be settled at Manly after a turbulent start to his NRL career.

The Daily Telegraph has been told the Dragons lodged an initial offer for Suli, which was rejected. Further discussions were planned before St George Illawarra chose to move in another direction.

Those close to Suli advised him to accept less money to remain at Manly where he can continue his progress before seeking out some big money when negotiating his next deal.

Manly was always hopeful Suli – who had previous contracts at Wests Tigers and Canterbury terminated – would stay.

Suli has turned his game around under Des Hasler in the past 18 months. Picture: AAP

The Dragons backed away from Suli because of the enormous opinion they have for young centre, Zac Lomax. Others Dragons centres Tim Lafai and Euan Aitken come off contract after this year.

St George Illawarra continues to wait for an outcome of Jack de Belin’s court case, which is set down for this month.

The club is finding it difficult to budget for players until they know whether de Belin will return to play.

St George Illawarra has quashed a suggestion their club should pursue Wests Tigers’ utility Josh Reynolds, who was linked to Canterbury before the Bulldogs’ interest ended.

Originally published as Manly to re-sign powerful centre Moses Suli in blow to St George Illawarra Dragons