NRL Market Watch 2023: Former Bulldog Corey Allan joins the Sydney Roosters
Canterbury are continuing their roster overhaul, clearing more space from their top-30 squad with a former Origin star switching clubs. Check out the latest signings and market watch here.
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Canterbury continue to clear the decks to ease their roster logjam, releasing former State of Origin winger Corey Allan.
Allan has signed a one-year deal with the Sydney Roosters in a bid to get his stalled NRL career back on track.
Allan is the latest Bulldog to exit the kennel while still under contract, following the recent departure of centre Aaron Schoupp to the Gold Coast and captain Josh Jackson’s early retirement.
The 24-year-old shot to fame during his time at South Sydney, where he earned an Origin call-up for Queensland.
That was the catalyst for him signing a big-money three-year deal with the Bulldogs.
But his two-year stay at Belmore didn’t turn out as hoped, with his form reflecting the club’s struggles.
“Corey Allan has been released from the final year of his contract with the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, effective immediately,” the club said in a statement on Thursday morning.
“We thank Corey for his two years of service to the Bulldogs and wish him all the best for the future.”
While Allan only managed 21 NRL games for Canterbury, his previous form at the Rabbitohs showed glimpses of the talent he can be.
He came into the Souths team in 2019 and, the following season, filled in for Rabbitohs superstar Latrell Mitchell at fullback and ultimately played in Queensland’s historic State of Origin win under Wayne Bennett.
The Roosters obviously see Allan as someone who can play anywhere in the outside backs, and with Joseph Suaalii’s potential move to the centres, he could find himself in a battle for a wing spot opposite Daniel Tupou.
TALAKAI SIGNS MONSTER THREE-YEAR DEAL
- David Riccio
NSW State of Origin powerhouse Siosifa Talakai has secured a new three-year deal that will keep him at Cronulla until 2026.
The blockbusting centre enjoyed a stellar 2022 season for the Sharks breaking 99 tackles and running for an average 176 metres.
He scored nine tries in 21 games and was crucial to the Sharks finishing second on the NRL ladder after the regular season.
The 25-year old had attracted interest from rival clubs but after breaking into Origin this year, has stuck solid to the Sharks and coach Craig Fitzgibbon.
YOUNG CHOOK EXTENDS TIME AT BONDI
- Fatima Kdouh
One piece of the Sydney Roosters’ halves puzzle has fallen into place after Sam Walker agreed to stay in Bondi until at least the end of the 2025 season.
Walker, who was signed until the end of 2023, agreed to a two-year extension on Tuesday.
“The Roosters have been awesome for me and I’m grateful every day to be part of this great club,” Walker said.
“I love the Roosters club and the people in it so I’m stoked to extend my time here. From ‘Robbo’ (Trent Robinson) and the coaches to the squad around me, I’m learning so much and I know this is where I’ll play my best footy.”
While Walker’s new deal has shut down any potential speculation about the 20-year-old returning home to Queensland in the near future, it has sparked discussion about who should play alongside him in the halves in 2023 and beyond.
Veteran playmaker Luke Keary is contracted until the end of 2024, and it’s expected that he and Walker will be the Tricolours halves combo this season.
But there is growing chatter around Joey Manu and a mooted move from the centres into five-eighth to get the skilful superstar closer to the action.
Manu, already rated the world’s best centre, was awarded the Golden Boot award as rugby league’s best international player after starring for New Zealand at fullback and at five-eighth at the World Cup.
Roosters recruitment boss Daniel Anderson said Walker was a crucial part of the Bondi club’s lone-term plans.
“Sam is an impressive young man and a keen student of the game who brings energy to everything he does,” Anderson said.
“There’s a terrific connection between him and the players around him and it’s great news that he will continue to play his important role here at the Roosters in the coming years,” he added.
A beefed-up Walker returned to pre-season training two weeks ago four kilograms heavier, tipping the scales at 82kg.
The added size is just another milestone in the young halve’s development.
PANTHERS BOOST AS STAR SETS SIGHTS ON NEW DEAL
— David Riccio
Penrith’s bid to keep their premiership window open is poised to receive a massive boost with powerhouse winger Brian To’o on the verge of penning a new multi-year deal.
The Panthers are in the final stages of negotiations with the NSW State of Origin and Samoan Test star, who is eager to strike a deal that will keep him at the foot of the mountains for at least another three years.
To’o, who ran for more metres on average (185) than any other winger in the game in 2022, has returned to Australia from the World Cup to get married.
He has made no secret of his desire to stay long-term with Penrith and the new deal will provide the 24-year-old with security and stability off the field.
Securing the prolific tryscorer marks the beginning of the Panthers’ delicate and challenging process of trying to keep their star-studded team together.
Having already lost 2022 premiership players Api Koroisau (Wests Tigers), Charlie Staines (Wests Tigers) and Viliame Kikau (Bulldogs), the Panthers have 13 proven winners coming off-contract over the next two seasons.
Among them are the club’s biggest names including Stephen Crichton (2023), Spencer Leniu (2023), Liam Martin (2023), Dylan Edwards (2024), Moses Leota (2024), Jarome Luai (2024) and Isaah Yeo (2024).
With To’o’s future all but secured at Penrith, the club’s next focus will be directed towards Crichton.
Penrith want Crichton to stay, but also know that he has ambitions to be a full-time fullback, which is why the NSW State of Origin centre is being linked to a move to Canterbury.
It’s considered almost impossible that every player will be able to be retained, in addition to keeping a string of young talent the club is aiming to re-sign.
The NRL’s inability to clarify the size of every club’s salary cap for 2023 and beyond is a sticking point the Panthers desperately want resolved so that they can get moving on keeping the game’s best roster intact.
The Panthers have already begun to make calls on some of their next-generation stars.
Destructive NSW Cup winger Sunia Turuva has re-signed until 2024, however talented Jersey Flegg halfback Niwhai Puru has signed with Cronulla.
Twin brother and former Penrith Jersey Flegg captain Hohepe Puru, an impressive lock, has linked with the Raiders.
The Panthers are also aiming to re-sign rising stars Jack Cole and Tom Jenkins.
The Saturday Telegraph revealed 2022 grand final squad members Jaeman Salmon and Matt Eisenhuth had both extended their stay at Penrith, Eisenhuth for two years and Salmon one.
MARKET WATCH: PANTHER’S RE-SIGN RICKY STUART NEMESIS
The Panthers have secured two key members of their grand final squad with the re-signing of Jaeman Salmon and Matt Eisenhuth.
Eisenhuth has extended his contract for a further two years which will see him remain in Panthers colours until at least the end of the 2024 season, while Salmon has recommitted to the club on a one-year deal.
The Panthers announced the re-signings on Friday.
“Matt and Jaeman have both played important roles for the club over the past two seasons, and I look forward to seeing them remain at Panthers,” Panthers GM of football Matt Cameron said.
Eisenhuth has played 35 NRL games for the club across the past two years.
The prop played an important role for the NRL and NSW Cup sides in 2022 as both teams claimed premiership success.
Salmon will also remain at the Panthers for a third consecutive season after joining the club at the start of 2021.
The utility featured in 25 first grade matches for the Panthers in 2022, including the NRL Grand Final.
INSIDE PANTHER’S IMPOSSIBLE TASK TO REPLACE KIKAU
– Fatima Kdouh
Luke Garner could have stayed at the Wests Tigers but the chance to line-up for back-to-back premiers Penrith was an offer too good to refuse.
That’s because Penrith isn’t just a junior pathways club, but a place where bargain-buy players can take their game, and pay packet, to another level.
Players such Api Koroisau, who not only leaves the Panthers with two premiership rings and as one of the top hookers in the game, but a lucrative three-year deal with the Tigers.
Or Scott Sorensen, once a bench player at Cronulla, the reliable workhorse who can now demand a sizeable upgrade on the modest deal he first signed with the club in 2021.
Garner sees a similar pathway.
“There could have been a future for me at the Tigers, and another club or two,” Garner told The Daily Telegraph.
“But once Penrith approached me and Ivan (Cleary) showed some interest, Penrith was the place. We worked well together at the Tigers. We’re working well together now.
“They’re premiers, I have mates here that were telling me how good the environment was. It’s hard to say no to that stuff.
“When I first started talking to Penrith they were talking about where they can help me, and how I can help the club. I’m sure they can elevate my game.”
Searching to replace the formidable Viliame Kikau on the edge, coach Cleary pinched Garner, 27, on a two-year deal from the Tigers.
The two have history, Cleary gave Garner his NRL debut at the Tigers in 2018.
But this deal is more than a chance to be a regular starter in a powerhouse outfit but potentially a stepping stone to something greater for the Bilambil junior.
Every player in Penrith’s starting pack from 2022 is a representative player, either at state or international level.
“All the Penrith forwards made a World Cup team,” Garner said.
“It’s a pretty cool position to be in, they are the elite, the upper class and I’d like to see myself in that arena by the time I leave Penrith. I know they can improve my game.”
That journey to representative footy starts with winning the pre-season battle for the edge spot vacated by Kikau, who will be in Canterbury colours in 2023.
Finding a like-for-like replacement for the Fijian powerhouse, who is a two-time Dally M backrower of the year, is a near impossible task.
Garner won’t be trying to emulate Kikau, but create his own place in the side.
“Ivan gave me my debut, so if he can give me my Panthers debut that would be special. Big Kiks (Kikau) leaving opens up a position that I want obviously,” Garner said.
“There are plenty of talented players here so I’m pushing myself hard to secure that spot. It’s a challenge but I’m looking forward to it.”
Garner played 75 games for the Tigers, where he was shuffled between the backrow, centre and even used as a utility off the bench.
But this time around, Garner only has eyes for the no. 11 jumper.
“My preferred position is the second row, whether it‘s left or right that doesn’t matter too much. But if they need me as a utility or centre, so be it,” Garner said.
There are others wanting the same round one spot Garner is vying for.
Garner believes there are early contenders in new recruit Zac Hosking and reserve-grader Preston Riki.
Hosking also joins Penrith on a two-year deal from Brisbane, while the hard running Riki is a train and tribalist that has plied his trade in the NSW Cup.
“Both Zac and Preston have a future at the club, they are pushing me. Zac and I are the newbies and we’ve clicked, there’s already a bit of banter,” Garner said.
“Preston is a big strong handsome man, very strong in the gym, very strong in the wrestle and very fit. He’s an impressive athlete. We’re all in the mix.”
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