NRL market watch: Cronulla Sharks prop Royce Hunt poised to join Wests Tigers after Benji Marshall meeting

Wests Tigers are poised to fill the void of Melbourne-bound prop Stefano Utoikamanu, after Sharks enforcer Royce Hunt met with coach Benji Marshall and club officials. See the latest transfer news.

Royce Hunt has been linked with the Wests Tigers. Credit: NRL Images.

The Wests Tigers are poised to land the signing of Cronulla’s Royce Hunt as they move to fill the void of prop Stefano Utoikamanu.

Hunt has met with Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall and the club is growing increasingly confident that the Sharks power forward will be on their roster next season.

Hunt is believed to be weighing up a three-year offer as Benji Marshall continues his rebuild of the club.

Hunt is on-contract at the Sharks for 2025 and has been given permission to look for another club for 2026 and beyond.

The Tigers deal would require Hunt securing an early release from Cronulla for 2025, which is expected to be ratified as negotiations intensify this week.

Royce Hunt is set to leave Cronulla with a year remaining on his contract. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images

Hunt is being targeted by the Tigers as a replacement for Utoikamanu, who is headed to the Storm.

The 29-year-old has played 13-games for the Sharks and averages 24-minutes this season. He would bring 72-games of NRL experience to the Tigers, a major appeal for Marshall, who could also be without veteran forward John Bateman next season.

The Wests Tigers are also believed to be in discussions with St George-Illawarra’s Jack Bird and Raiders prop Corey Horsburgh for next season.

DRAGONS CLOSE IN ON RCG

- Brent Read and Michael Carayannis

Parramatta prop Reagan Campbell-Gillard is ready to sabotage St George Illawarra’s top eight hopes on Saturday - and then chip in to help inspire another finals charge next season.

Campbell-Gillard remains a high-priority target for the Dragons as their coach Shane Flanagan looks for size, power and experience as part of his rebuild of the Red V.

It is understood the club is in the process of finalising an offer for the former NSW and Australian prop, who has a year remaining on his deal at the Eels but has been given permission to explore his options on the open market.

North Queensland held an initial interest in the 31-year-old but, wary of blocking the path of some of their young forwards, backed off when they were asked to whether they would be happy to table a three-year deal.

That leaves the Dragons in the box seat to sign Campbell-Gillard, their interest adding an intriguing sub-plot to Saturday’s crucial game at CommBank Stadium.

Reagan Campbell-Gillard could be wearing the Red V next season. Credit: NRL Images.

It is understood an official offer is yet to be table by the Dragons but further talks were due to be held on Monday as the parties edged towards an outcome.

The Dragons have already signed Damien Cook and Valentine Holmes for next season as Flanagan looks to build on the progress the club has made in 2024.

Campbell-Gillard’s immediate priority is helping Parramatta avoid the wooden spoon and the next fortnight will determine whether they can get the job done.

Regardless of the result on Saturday, it will do down to the final round. However, a Parramatta win over the Dragons would give the club some momentum heading into their wooden spoon decider against the Wests Tigers next week.

The winner of that game, which looks increasingly likely to be the third sellout at Campbelltown Stadium this season, is set to avoid last spot.

Meanwhile, Wests Tigers’ talks with Jack Bird have stalled over the terms of the deal. The Tigers have offered the Dragons utility a two-year contract believed to be worth as much as $800,000.

It is understood Bird and his management are yet to accept the offer, leaving the deal in limbo as the Tigers explore alternative options.