NRL Market Watch: Titans in talks with Reagan Campbell-Gillard; Manly, Cowboys set for player swap

The Titans are closing in on former Kangaroos prop Reagan Campbell-Gillard, while Manly and North Queensland Cowboys get ready to finalise a rare player swap. See the latest transfer news.

The Titans are closing in on former Kangaroos prop Reagan Campbell-Gillard as Gold Coast coach Des Hasler looks to build one of the NRL’s most feared front rows.

Campbell-Gillard has been in talks with the Titans after being released from the final year of his Parramatta contract in 2025.

‘RCG’ was crowned Parramatta’s best player of the 2024 NRL season, but opted to seek a fresh start at a new club following five seasons with the Eels.

He was officially released by the Eels nearly a month ago despite not having another contract lined up.

That could be about to change though, with the Titans plotting to find a way to fit Campbell-Gillard into their 2025 roster.

Having received a payout from Parramatta, the Titans would likely need to find around $500,000-a-season for the former representative prop.

Hasler could not be reached for comment.

The Titans have been relatively quiet in the player market since Hasler’s arrival, with Wallabies convert Carter Gordon the club’s only recruit heading into the 2025 pre-season.

Campbell-Gillard, 31, has amassed 221 NRL games for the Panthers and Eels since making his debut in 2015 for Penrith.

Reagan Campbell-Gillard. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

A towering prop with 11 Tests and three State of Origin appearances for NSW next to his name, he would inject some experience into Gold Coast’s blossoming forward pack.

Hasler will welcome back captain Tino Fa’asuamaleaui from a serious knee injury next season and has fellow Queensland Origin prop Moeaki Fotuaika in his pack.

The Titans have a damaging edge back row combination of David Fifita and Beau Fermor, while the hardworking Chris Randall inked a three-year contract extension this week.

The acquisition of Campbell-Gillard would give Hasler the flexibility to play Fa’asuamaleaui at lock if required.

Rising prop Josiah Pahulu is also on the books along with the consistent Jaimin Jolliffe and Klese Haas.

The Titans started the 2024 season with six straight losses before finding some form in the middle part of the year to fight back into the top eight mix.

However five consecutive losses to finish the season consigned Gold Coast to a third straight bottom four finish in Hasler’s first year in charge of the club.

MANLY-COWS PLAYER SWAP

Manly and North Queensland are set to complete a rare player swap which will see outside back Jaxson Paulo sign with his fourth club in as many seasons.

Paulo will join the Cowboys next year with rising forward D’Jazirhae Pua’Avase headed to the Sea Eagles.

While a player swap is rare it is not unprecedented with the Tigers and Storm undertaking a similar move ahead of this season when Justin Olam signed with the Tigers and Shawn Blore with the Storm.

Paulo has bounced around clubs in recent years with his stint at the Sea Eagles lasting just eight games. He had signed a three-year contract with Manly to join them from the Roosters where he played 12 games in his only season at the club last year.

Jaxson Paulo is set for a move to the Cowboys as part of a player swap. Picture: NRL Imagery

Prior to that he had played 43 games for South Sydney. Paulo will provide some cover for a North Queensland backline who will be without experienced duo Valentine Holmes (Dragons) and Kyle Feldt (St Helens).

The Sea Eagles have plenty of cover in their outside backs given the emergence of Lehi Hopoate while mid-season signing Aaron Schoupp played just one game for the club. It is the second Sea Eagles player the Cowboys have signed with Karl Lawton joining them next year.

The Cowboys forward stocks are filled with talent. It means 21-year-old Pua’Avase will compete for a top 17 spot at the Sea Eagles next year. Pua’Avase made his Queensland Cup debut at just 18 but is yet to play in the NRL. He was still contracted until the end of next year.

The player swap will see young forward D'Jazirhae Pua'avase join the Sea Eagles. Picture: Alix Sweeney

Meanwhile, the Dolphins have signed St George Illawarra outside back Max Feagai on a two year deal.

Fresh from signing Newcastle’s Daniel Saifiti, Feagai will add some depth to the Dolphins backline.

“Max is just the kind of recruit we are looking for to add depth and youth to our squad,” said Dolphins boss Terry Reader. “Importantly, this year he played the most NRL games of any year in his career.”

“So what is most exciting is that we know his best football is just ahead of him.”

The Dolphins have snared Dragons outside back Max Feagai. Picture: Getty Images

DOLPHINS SNAG SAIFITI

—Michael Carayannis and Peter Badel

The Dolphins have finally secured former NSW prop Daniel Saifiti on an immediate long-term deal.

Weeks of prolonged negotiations have reached an end point with Saifiti joining the Queensland based club for at least the next three years.

It sets up a showdown with twin brother Jacob when the Knights take on the Dolphins next year.

Saifiti still had two years left on his rich deal worth about $850,000 a season. Newcastle are expected to tip in about $200,000 for the next two seasons for Saifiti to play against them.

Saifiti travelled to Queensland in August to meet with Dolphins officials.

Daniel Saifiti has signed with the Dolphins. Picture: NRL Photos

He knows incoming Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf from his stint at Newcastle – first as Nathan Brown’s assistant and then as interim coach for the final two games of the 2019 season.

The Dolphins have been on the lookout for a marquee prop to add to their forward pack for next season. They went close to securing Melbourne-bound Stefano Utoikamanu and have remained interested in trying to add a top line front-rower to add to their forward pack.

The 28-year-old has played 183 top grade games since making his debut for the Knights in 2016. He has also played seven games for NSW.

The Dragons spoke with Saifiti but talks never advanced.