NRL Market Watch: Manly target Broncos’ Thomas Flegler on six-year $4million deal
The Broncos face a massive challenge to retain star forward Thomas Flegler when he hits the open market on November 1, with Manly preparing a monster deal to poach the prop.
NRL
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Brisbane are facing a huge battle to retain Tom Flegler with Sydney rivals Manly ready to table a massive $4 million deal for the Queensland Origin firebrand.
News Corp can reveal Flegler is poised to hit the open market from November 1 as at least five NRL rivals, headlined by the Sea Eagles and Warriors, prepare to wage a big-money bidding war for the Broncos enforcer.
Broncos recruitment chiefs are aware of Manly’s poaching bid and will begin talks to retain their key prop.
The Broncos last week celebrated a contract coup when the management of Flegler’s front-row teammate Payne Haas advised Brisbane bosses the NSW Origin prop will honour his existing deal, which expires at the end of 2024.
But the Broncos now face a fresh headache to retain Flegler under the salary cap in the face of red-hot interest.
The hulking front-rower is contracted to Brisbane until the end of next year, meaning Flegler can head to free agency and field formal offers from Tuesday week - opening the door for NRL suitors.
And Manly are the primary threat.
It is understood the Flegler camp has held preliminary talks with the Sea Eagles, who outlined plans to table a mega six-year offer worth $675,000 a season to lure the Origin hulk to Brookvale until the end of 2027.
Manly recruitment chiefs first approached Flegler last month before the appointment of Des Hasler’s coaching successor Anthony Seibold, who mentored the 23-year-old during his stint at the Broncos in 2019-20.
The Sea Eagles have severed ties with Samoan Test prop Martin Taupau and believe Flegler can be the cornerstone of their pack for 2024 and beyond.
Former Broncos skipper Corey Parker worked with Flegler as an assistant to Seibold in 2019 and urged Brisbane hierarchy to do everything possible to keep the aggressive prop at Red Hill.
“It will be a real challenge for the Broncos to keep both Payne Haas and Flegler,” Parker said.
“If Payne wants more money in the coming years, it makes it very difficult to keep two props on big money.
“I have a huge wrap on Tom. He is aggressive, he has great leg speed, he has an offload and when you put those things together, it’s a hard mix to find in a front-rower.
“Timing is everything and Tom’s best football is ahead of him.”
While Flegler has come under fire for his lack of consistency and discipline - he has been suspended three times in the past two seasons - NRL clubs like his aggression and intimidation factor.
For that reason, they are willing to pay big bucks for Flegler.
Manly are the front-runners to secure his signature, but the fiery front-rower has also attracted interest from the Warriors and Storm, who are on the hunt for forwards to replace Dolphins-bound trio Kenny and Jesse Bromwich and Felise Kaufusi.
After a disappointing 2021 season, Flegler’s form improved this year. He charged for 1961 metres at an average of 108m per game and impressed with his toughness and ability to create second phase.
The Broncos have salary-cap challenges. Haas will become Brisbane’s highest-paid player next season on $848,000, while Brisbane have signed Flegler’s forward cohorts Pat Carrigan and Kobe Hetherington to new deals.
The club also secured boom Queensland Origin winger Selwyn Cobbo to a $1 million-plus extension in June.
Flegler is on $650,000 at the Broncos and there is a view he has failed to deliver bang for his buck. But with NRL rivals prepared to offer in excess of $700,000 a season, Brisbane may have to up the ante to keep the Australia Prime Minister’s XIII representative.
Parker is adamant Flegler, who has played 74 NRL games and one Origin match for Queensland, is worth the investment.
“On the open market, Tom is worth more than $700,000, he has played State of Origin, so I wouldn’t be surprised at all if other clubs threw big money at him,” Parker said.
“Tom sails close to the wind from time to time with his discipline, but it’s not easy to find front-rowers these days with the attributes that Tom has.
“I believe Tom has a huge future. He’s had some issues with suspensions, but it’s easy to forget he is only young and if he is managed in the right way and nurtured, he can be one of the best props in the game.
“I’ve had some conversations with Tom about his suspensions. He understands what he has done wrong, but it is hard to reign a guy in sometimes because that’s what makes Tom the player that he is and gives him a point of difference.
“It’s like telling Victor Radley to pull it up a fraction, that’s what makes him such a good player.
“Tom has to find a better balance but there is no doubting his ability.
“He brings a point of difference to Payne. Haas has a great motor and a good carry, but Flegler is aggressive and brings a harder edge to the Broncos, he and Payne complement each other well.”
YOUNG DRAGON BACKFLIPS ON TRANSFER TALK
Dragons youngster Jayden Sullivan has sensationally withdrawn his bid to be released early from his deal and has vowed to see out the remainder of his contract.
Sullivan twice asked to be released to join the Bulldogs. The most recent of these releases came last Friday.
However, after meeting with club officials on Friday morning Sullivan has recommitted to the Dragons.
He has vowed to remain at the club and fight for a starting spot despite skipper Ben Hunt recommitting until the end of 2025.
Sullivan will also remain at the club until at least the end of 2025. The final two years of his deal are worth about $1 million.
It is a much-needed boost for a St George Illawarra out-fit who have been in the news for all the wrong reasons in recent days.
Sullivan’s recommitment comes off the back of fellow rising star Tyrell Sloan telling the club he wants to stay despite agitating for his own early exit.
The Bulldogs had earmarked Sullivan as a potential long-term halves partner to Matt Burton.
Sullivan will now battle Hunt and Talatau Amone for a starting spot. He has shown his versatility too by being able to cover dummy half.
The 21-year-old has indicated his reluctance to play hooker.
The Dragons remained steadfast in their views that they were not going to allow Sullivan or Sloan to exit their deals early.
AXED BRONCO EARNS NRL LIFELINE AT POWERHOUSE CLUB
— Peter Badel
Broncos discard Jake Turpin has resurrected his NRL career after being thrown a lifeline by the Sydney Roosters.
Turpin has agreed terms on a deal with the Roosters, who were on the lookout for a new hooker in the wake of Sam Verrills move to the Gold Coast Titans next season.
While former Storm superstar Brandon Smith will be the Tri-Colours’ first-choice hooker next season, Roosters coach Trent Robinson was keen to provide some hooking insurance and he has found it in the form of Turpin.
As revealed by News Corp, the Broncos informed Turpin he would not be retained for the 2023 season, prompting the 25-year-old to begin exploring the open market for a new home.
Turpin was originally linked with Newcastle, but with the Knights going cold on a 12-month deal, the Roosters have put out the welcome mat.
The tough-as-nails Turpin has played 60 NRL games since his debut for the Broncos in 2018 and will be a handy back-up for the explosive Smith with his work rate and courageous attitude in defence.
Turpin endured a dramatic fall from grace at the Broncos.
Just last season, he captained the Broncos in three games and he started this year as Brisbane’s standout No. 1 hooker, only to be dropped in favour of a Billy Walters-Cory Paix alliance after the side’s sluggish 2-4 start.
Turpin fought his way back later in the season and believes he has more to offer in the NRL at a club like the Roosters, who have also resurrected the career of another Broncos reject in prop Matt Lodge.
“My management are working hard to find something,” Turpin told News Corp last month.
“I have to put my best foot forward over the last few games and if I’m playing good footy that will sort itself out.
“I’m sure my management are working hard on it now (trying to find a new deal) ... I just need to play good footy.”
Broncos football boss Ben Ikin praised Turpin’s character in fighting back to reclaim an NRL berth at Brisbane.
“Jake is a good consistent player who is very well respected by his teammates,” Ikin said.
“You can see how much he stiffens up the middle defensively when he is out there.
“Over time he has worked hard to get more in his game creatively.
“He asked for a release earlier this year, but since coming back into the side he has done a good job.”
FIFITA’S $3.5M CONTRACT GAMBLE AFTER BENNETT SNUB
— Travis Meyn and Peter Badel
Wayne Bennett’s Dolphins have ruled out chasing David Fifita as the Gold Coast Titans’ $3.5 million man prepares to hit the NRL’s open market.
Fifita is not expected to strike a contract extension with the Titans before November 1, making him a free agent for 2024 and beyond.
The Titans planned to tie up their highest-paid player before he entered free agency, with coach Justin Holbrook intimating in August that he expected Fifita’s contract status to be resolved by November.
But that is unlikely to happen, with less than a fortnight before the NRL’s next contracting period begins.
Fifita, 22, is currently at the World Cup in England and made his Test debut for Tonga on Wednesday morning in a thrilling 24-18 win against Papua New Guinea.
He isn’t expected to address his future until he returns late next month and meets with the Titans, who are keen to offer him at least a two-year extension beyond his current deal, which expires at the end of the 2023 season.
Fifita is facing a hefty pay cut to remain on the Gold Coast – with his current $1 million-a-season salary to be slashed.
But the former Brisbane Bronco is believed to be keen to stay at the Titans after making the move from Red Hill last year and buying a house on the Gold Coast.
While Fifita is expected to draw interest from rival NRL clubs, the Dolphins have no plans to go after him despite the Redcliffe expansion club still looking for a marquee player.
The Dolphins have invested heavily in their foundation forward pack and coach Bennett said Fifita had not been discussed as a recruitment target.
“We haven’t gone near David,” he said.
“We have not made any approaches to David, regardless of his contract status.”
Bennett created a storm in May after revealing he had been in contact with Fifita, who was in the midst of a turbulent second season at the Titans.
After scoring a club record 17 tries in 2021, Fifita’s form crashed this year on the back of questionable use by Holbrook and a knee injury.
Having played under Bennett at the Broncos, Fifita sought advice from his former coach, prompting suggestions he could be Dolphins-bound.
But that is unlikely to be the case as the Dolphins chase gun playmakers and strike backline weapons to complement a stacked forward pack.
At his best, Fifita is one of the most damaging ballrunners in the NRL and can blow opposition defences apart.
He had a tough 2022 season as the Titans crashed to a bottom four finish, but former Gold Coast football manager Scott Sattler said Fifita should be retained.
“I think Dave is worthy of an extension purely because of how much upside he has in his career,” he said.
“He hasn’t been great for the Titans, but Dave is only young and at an age where he is figuring out how to play the game properly.
“I have been critical of Dave, but I am quite envious of the skill set he has got. While I have been critical of his lack of consistency, I am still an admirer of the way he plays and the natural gifts he has.
“He will be one of the most dynamic back-rowers in the game if he can get everything right.
“I know he has been linked with the Dolphins but I hope Dave stays at the Titans and signs a new deal. He’s got some good mates at the Titans like Tino (Fa’asuamaleaui) and Tanah Boyd and I think they can build a nucleus of young guys to make the Titans a force in the years to come.
“In a way, even if he takes a pay cut, not being on a $1 million deal can be a good pressure valve. It’s not Dave’s fault, but with that huge money comes responsibility and Fifita simply wasn’t ready for that responsibility at this stage of his career.
“People will stop talking about Dave’s contract if he’s on less and he could just focus on playing good football and evolving into a senior leader at the Titans.”
Watch every match of the Rugby League World Cup LIVE & Exclusive to Fox Sports, on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
Originally published as NRL Market Watch: Manly target Broncos’ Thomas Flegler on six-year $4million deal
‘Blowhard’: Cornes backlash turns prickly
Kane Cornes has been roasted by a high profile colleague over comments that have left NRL commentators in disbelief.
Parramatta legend: ‘24 Panthers don’t have a hope against ‘83 Eels
Penrith have claimed their place in the rugby league record books, but Parramatta great Ray Price has rejected suggestions they’ve gone past his Eels, claiming they had “every position and we every tactic covered”. WHO IS BETTER? VOTE NOW.