NRL Market Watch: Rivals monitor Bryce Cartwright at Parra, Manly’s Roger Tuivasa-Sheck bid blocked
The Dragons, Raiders and Dolphins are monitoring the situation around an off-contract star at Parramatta as the Eels juggle their roster. Read the latest market moves here.
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He has played all 16 games this season in a rampant Parramatta side but back-rower Bryce Cartwright is yet to be offered a new deal.
Cartwright, 28, comes off contract after this season and while the Eels have expressed a strong desire to retain their edge forward, no offer has been lodged.
Several NRL clubs are aware of the situation and have made inquiries about the former NSW State of Origin development player.
St George Illawarra could be an option for Cartwright, along with Canberra and expansion side the Dolphins.
There has also been considerable interest from a prominent Super League club but Cartwright is keen to remain in the NRL.
Parramatta coach Brad Arthur is a massive fan of Cartwright, who feels his game has improved this season under Eels assistant coach Trent Barrett.
Cartwright is one of only a few first-graders, along with Waqa Blake and Wiremu Greig, to remain unsigned beyond this season.
Cartwright has been a constant performer in a Parramatta side ravaged at times this year through injury, suspension and representative duty. Arthur wants to retain Cartwright.
Parramatta are juggling salary cap issues but announced last week the re-signing of Bailey Simonsson, Josh Hodgson, Daejarn Asi and Matt Doorey.
The Eels also signed two forwards mid-season – Joe Ofahengaue from Wests Tigers and Andrew Davey from Canterbury.
SEA EAGLES VICTIMS OF RUGBY CODE WAR
Manly will have to continue their search for a big name mid-season signing after Roger Tuivasa-Sheck rejected a bold bid to snatch the Kiwi star for the rest of the season.
The Sea Eagles have been busily trying to find a high profile replacement to cover for Tom Trbojevic’s season ending injury.
Manly will be given a $350,000 salary cap relief by the NRL for the rest of the season after Trbojevic tore his pectoral in Origin II.
That led to Manly making an ambitious bid to sign Tuivasa-Sheck for the rest of the season. The Sea Eagles were considered long odds to get the deal done with Tuivasa-Sheck hesitant to relocate to Sydney again. They may now look to fast-track Tommy Talau’s arrival at the club with the outside back signed on from the Wests Tigers next season. Tuivasa-Sheck is still contracted with New Zealand rugby until the end of the season and despite missing out on the All Blacks World Cup squad they are hesitant to give him a headstart on his return to the NRL.
He already has a deal with the Warriors secured from next season after an ill-fated stint with New Zealand rugby. The Warriors made inquires with the NRL to find out what it would cost to have Tuivasa-Sheck return to the club for the rest of the year. It is understood it would cost the Warriors $25,000 per game which the club does not have spare in its salary cap.
The Warriors are of the belief it would take their former captain at least six weeks to recondition his body to be fit for first grade. He would also have to drop about five kilograms.
Multiple clubs have reached out to Tuivasa-Sheck already this year only to receive knock-backs from the former Warriors and Roosters star.
Warriors chief executive Cameron George said the club hadn’t had any approach from Tuivasa-Sheck about switching back to the NRL this year.
“We haven’t heard of any different interest of Roger to play rugby league,’’ George said. “We have a great relationship with Roger and his agent and if it at all that was a possibility (playing NRL for another team) or that there was a change of circumstances, I’m sure they would’ve come to us and had a chat.
“But I think in the best interests of everyone, we look forward to the association with Roger when his rugby tenure comes to an end.’’
The Dolphins used their salary cap relief from Tom Gilbert’s end of season injury suffered in Origin I to sign former Dragon Josh Kerr.
- Michael Carayannis and David Riccio
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