NRL 2024 Market Watch: Dragons sign Storm forward Tom Eisenhuth; Brandon Smith, Luke Keary to stay at Sydney Roosters

Shane Flanagan’s revolution at the Dragons continues with St George Illawarra landing another recruit ahead of the 2024 season. KEEP UP WITH THE LATEST NRL SIGNING NEWS

Tom Eisenhuth is set to join the Dragons. Picture: Getty Images

St George Illawarra have beaten premiers Penrith to the signature of former Melbourne Storm forward Tom Eisenhuth.

Eisenhuth was off contract at the end of last season and it is understood he will join Shane Flanagan’s revolution at the Dragons, having become a free agent when his contract at the Storm expired on October 31.

Eisenhuth made 58 appearances for Melbourne over five years, including 18 this season.

The 31-year-old made his debut for Penrith more than a decade ago but only made one appearance for the Panthers.

His management spoke to Penrith before Eisenhuth opted to join the Dragons.

Tom Eisenhuth will join Shane Flanagan’s revolution at the Dragons. Picture: Getty Images

ROOSTERS’ TWO BIG CONTRACT MOVES

By Peter Badel

Brandon Smith plans to activate an option in his Sydney Roosters deal and Luke Keary is set to extend his career at the club in a twin contract coup for the Bondi glamour club.

Two of the Roosters’ biggest names go into the new pre-season as free agents, with Smith having a 12-month option in his favour for 2025 — technically making him off-contract next year.

Meanwhile, Roosters coach Trent Robinson has met with Keary, off-contract next year, to discuss his present and post-football plans amid speculation the 2024 season could represent the 31-year-old’s NRL swan song.

This masthead can reveal Smith has a clause in his contract that states he has until to advise the Roosters whether he will be at Bondi in 2025.

Brandon Smith has six months to make a decision on his 2025 contract with the Roosters. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

The Kiwi Test star had a turbulent maiden season at the Roosters after his big-money move from the Storm.

He started slowly and missed two months with a broken thumb, but Smith finished the 2023 campaign with 21 games, showing glimpses of his best in the Roosters’ late-season resurgence to make the finals.

There were fears Smith may have regretted quitting the Storm, but his manager has given the strongest indication yet the premiership hooker will trigger an extension to remain at the Roosters in 2025.

“The way he played at the end of the year, I believe Brandon will take up the option and extend his stay at the Roosters,” said his agent Stan Martin.

“I will sit down and discuss things with Brandon once the season gets underway.

“Brandon has a one-year option in his favour – and we’ve got another six months to make a decision – but staying at the Roosters is the way it’s looking.

“Initially, Brandon struggled to settle at the Roosters, but by the end of the season, he was well and truly settled.

“He had that busted hand but he’s had the operation, it’s all fixed, so he’s ready to fire next season.

“It augurs well for his future at the Roosters.”

Roosters halves duo Sam Walker and Luke Keary. Picture: NRL Photos

The Roosters also remain hopeful Keary will put retirement on the backburner and suit up for a 13th season of NRL beyond 2024.

The 205-game stalwart was tipped to retire at the end of his current deal after his concussion battles in recent years, but Keary built continuity and confidence with 26 games last season.

Robinson is not rushing Keary, who turns 32 in February, into a decision, but the former NSW Origin pivot is open to another term at Bondi in 2025.

“Luke is keen to play on,” said his manager Paul Sutton.

“A few years ago, there was a feeling he probably wouldn’t play on, but they get to the end and it’s not as easy to walk away as it seems.

“I think Luke has plenty of footy still in him.

“He copped a few head knocks in recent years and these days, a few concussions seems to spook people, but at the back end of last season he started to get his confidence back.

“The Roosters have spoken to Luke and both parties are happy to wait. There’s no rush to sign anything. People just assume he will stay at the Roosters. If I went shopping on the open market I’m sure it would be a different story.

“He would be mad to leave the Roosters. He is thinking beyond football and the Roosters have been helping him in that regard. He is pretty intelligent, he is doing a masters in business, so he is planning for life after football.

Brandon Smith has had to get used to life under Roosters coach Trent Robinson. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

“We’ll get the season underway but I doubt it would drag on, we might look to do a new deal early in the season.”

Martin dismissed suggestions Smith was struggling to adapt to the Roosters’ playing style.

“Brandon has found his feet at the Roosters,” he said.

“He was never unhappy at the club, but it took some time to get used to a new environment after spending so many years and having so much success at Melbourne.

“Craig Bellamy was a bit different to ‘Robbo’, he gave Brandon a little more freedom because he knew him as a kid, whereas Robbo’s structure was a little bit different.

“It took Brandon a bit of time to understand what was required at the Roosters, but he actually really enjoys being coached by Robbo.”